Sousa Law

🎉 Happy Birthday to the incredible Cathy Sousa, founder and director of Sousa Law! 🎉 Today, we celebrate not only Cathy’s special day but also the amazing journey she began 15 years ago. Cathy’s vision and dedication have shaped Sousa Law into a leading force, helping countless clients and families find peace and resolution outside of court through non-court dispute resolution (NCDR). Cathy’s work and passion have truly made a difference in our community. Here’s to you, Cathy, for your strength, compassion, and unwavering commitment to supporting families. Wishing you a fantastic birthday and another wonderful year ahead! With love from your team ❤️

Cafcass Publishes New Domestic Abuse Practice Policy: Sousa Law Supports the Changes and Stands by Victims On 9th October 2023, Cafcass introduced a new Domestic Abuse Practice Policy to strengthen protection for child and adult victims of domestic abuse in family court proceedings. At Sousa Law, we fully support these changes and are committed to providing legal assistance to those affected by domestic abuse. Why the Policy Was Necessary This new policy addresses issues raised in the 2020 Harm Panel report, which highlighted failings in the family justice system. Concerns included the adversarial nature of proceedings, agencies working in isolation, and a harmful "contact at all costs" culture, where children were pressured to maintain contact with abusive parents, even when it posed a risk of harm. To tackle this, Cafcass implemented a national improvement programme, with training developed in collaboration with domestic abuse experts. Despite some progress, errors in judgment still put victims at risk, highlighting the need for this updated policy. Key Changes in the Policy The policy introduces important updates to improve protection for victims: Language: FCAs and Children’s Guardians will no longer use terms like “claims” or “alleges,” instead reflecting the actual words of victims, ensuring their voices are properly represented in court. Presumption Against Contact: Where a parent is involved in violent or sexual offences, the policy assumes that children should not spend time with that parent due to the risk of harm. Clear Justifications: If FCAs recommend contact with an abusive parent, they must provide clear and compelling reasons, especially in cases where abuse is known or reported. Alignment with the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 The policy aligns with the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and key family law practice directions, reinforcing the focus on safeguarding victims. Cafcass has also updated its Child Safeguarding Policy to ensure a cohesive approach. How Sousa Law Can Help At Sousa Law, we fully support Cafcass’s new policy and are committed to helping victims of domestic abuse by: Advocating for children’s best interests. Providing expert legal support to adult victims. Offering compassionate, professional guidance throughout the legal process. If you or someone you know needs support, contact Sousa Law today to ensure your rights and safety are prioritised

Meet the team member Monday! We are thrilled to announce that Madison has rejoined the Sousa Law family as a Family Paralegal. 🎉 With her experience, passion, and dedication to helping families navigate challenging times, we’re excited to have her back on board! Name - Mad’s Position - Paralegal Time with the company - 1 year & 4 months (1 month back!) What is the best part of your day? The Friday morning drive to work as I listen to the Friday episode of my favourite podcast and there is also a lot less traffic on a Friday! What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Live every day like Elle Woods after Warner told her she’s not smart enough for law school! Tell us a surprising or a fun fact about you? I have appeared on TV three times! I shall not divulge as to why as I would not want my colleagues to try to find the embarrassing clips… If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why? To teleport, as above, I hate traffic and roadworks! How would your colleagues describe your coffee-making skills? Does a Starbucks sachet & hot water count as a skill? Favourite biscuit? Ginger Nuts!

Today the staff at Sousa law are taking a moment to recognise World Mental Health Day, a day to raise awareness about mental health and to remind ourselves of the importance of prioritising emotional wellbeing of our clients and their families. At Sousa Law, we understand that separation and divorce can have a significant emotional impact, not only for the individuals involved but also for their children. Beyond the legal aspects, dealing with the emotional strain is equally important. That’s why we always advise our clients to seek further emotional support when needed. We work closely with Family Consultants who can provide professional emotional guidance throughout the separation process. By collaborating with these experts, we ensure that our clients are supported holistically—emotionally and legally. Our goal is to help clients navigate separation in a way that promotes their mental and emotional health. At Sousa Law, we believe that no one should go through these challenging times alone. On this World Mental Health Day, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting our clients’ mental wellbeing.

Meet the Team Monday We are delighted to introduce Emilie, our new legal secretary at Sousa Law. While she is new to the legal world, Emilie brings enthusiasm, a strong work ethic, and a keen willingness to learn. We are excited to support her as she begins her journey in family law. Welcome to the team, Emilie! Name - Emilie Pontus Position - Legal Secretary Time with the company - one week What is the best part of your day? - At the moment it would probably be going home and winding down whilst reading a book. When I go home to visit my family in London it is definitely spending time with my dog. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? - The best advice I have ever received is that everything happens for a reason, so to never give up and to achieve what I want no matter what life throws at you. Tell us a surprising or fun fact about you - I am fluent in Polish, and I attended Polish school for 7 years from the ages of 7 to 14. If you had a superpower what would it be and why?- Telepathy as I would be able to transfer information to others without saying a word! How would your colleagues describe your coffee-making skills? - Probably okay because I only really use a coffee machine most of the time! I can make a really good tea though. Favourite biscuit? - Fox’s half coated chocolate cookies dipped in tea.

Today, we celebrate 15 incredible years of Sousa Law! From the very beginning, the firm was built on a clear vision: to put clients’ family needs first, no matter the challenges. Cathy Sousa’s founding principles centered on compassion, empathy, and unwavering dedication to helping families navigate difficult times. This client-first approach has been the foundation of Sousa Law’s success, creating a trusted space where clients feel heard, supported, and empowered. What started as Cathy’s dream and her passion for family law has grown into a thriving team of professionals, all sharing the same commitment to providing exceptional service - always ensuring that families remain at the heart of every case. Cathy’s dedication to this vision has shaped a firm that truly values its clients and staff, leading to remarkable growth and success. Happy 15th birthday, Sousa Law—here’s to many more years of putting families first and continuing to make a positive impact in the community!

Meet the team Monday! We’re excited to welcome Gerrie to the Sousa Law team as our new paralegal! Gerri brings great passion and dedication to family law, and we look forward to the valuable contributions she'll make to our clients and cases. Welcome aboard, Gerrie! Name: Gergana (Gerrie) Position: Paralegal Time with the company: 3 weeks What is the best part of your day? The best part of the day for me is getting up early in the morning. I love starting the day with a bit of exercise to get energised, followed by a nice cup of coffee to ease into the day. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? ‘Treat setbacks like plot twists in your own novel—unexpected, but essential for a gripping story.’ Tell us a surprising or a fun fact about you? I’ve had the chance to live in three different countries, diving into new cultures and experiences. If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why? I’d choose the ability to speak any language fluently. It would allow me to connect deeply with people from all around the world, breaking down barriers and sharing ideas without limits. How would your colleagues describe your coffee-making skills? They’d probably say, ‘Her coffee-making skills are a work in progress, but her tea is absolutely phenomenal!’ 😀 Favourite biscuit? Cornish Fairings – Orange & Lemon

At Sousa Law, we know that making decisions about your child’s future after a separation can be difficult, especially when you and your co-parent disagree on important matters like where your child should be educated. One common issue is when one parent wants to home school the child, while the other prefers mainstream schooling. These disputes can be extremely stressful and emotive, but our specialist team is here to help you find the best solution for your child. In the UK, both parents with parental responsibility must agree on significant decisions regarding their child’s upbringing, including their education. If you can’t agree on schooling, the law allows for different legal processes to resolve the issue. At Sousa Law, we offer various options to help resolve disputes without going to court, including: - Mediation – our mediators act neutrality to help both parents decide what is right for the child. - Resolution Together - one of our specialist trained solicitors can act for both parties to save time and costs, putting your child’s needs at the forefront of the matter. - Collaborative Legal process - both parents commit to resolving the dispute amicably through meetings rather than litigation. The parents and their solicitors work together to find a solution to meet the child individual needs. If these methods don’t resolve the dispute, court action may be necessary but at Sousa Law we believe this should be a last resort. In these cases, Sousa Law can assist you in applying for a Specific Issue Order to determine the issue of your child’s schooling. Our experienced solicitors will provide expert advocacy, ensuring your views are represented and your child’s best interests and welfare remain the priority. No matter what stage of the process you are in, Sousa Law is here to support you. Contact us today to discuss how we can help with any child-related legal matters following separation.

✨ Thankful Thursday ✨ At Sousa Law, we are always grateful when our clients take the time to leave us positive feedback. This week, we’re giving a special shout-out to Cathy, Esther, and Tiaarna for their hard work and dedication that led to such a fantastic client review. 🌟 “My conveyancer recommended Sousa Law. From the first contact with reception, the team were friendly and helpful. Tiaarna explained the onboarding process which she made incredibly easy. I then spoke to Cathy who put my mind at rest and explained my options with absolutely no pressure. Her knowledge and manner reassured me and I felt listened to. Esther supported Cathy and I was so impressed with her skill and dedication. I would have no hesitation to refer friends and family to Sousa law. Thank you all for your help at this difficult time. Miss AS” Thank you to our amazing clients for your continued trust and support. It means the world to us!

Imagine finding yourself in a situation where you have to convince a court that your ex had children, but they deny it ever happened. This might sound like a plot from a TV drama, but it’s a real case that has left everyone scratching their heads. Here’s what happened: An ex-husband recently told the High Court that he believed his ex-wife was pregnant when they split up, and that she gave birth to twin boys who would now be three years old. The “dad” was now seeking to have contact with the children. The ex-wife, on the other hand, insists she was never pregnant and claims his story is an attempt at controlling and coercive behavior. With no birth records or medical evidence, you’d think the case would be straightforward. But it’s anything but. In a hearing that took place in May, and with the judgment published just this week, the High Court judge, Lady Emma Arbuthnot, described the case as “perplexing.” There is no official evidence of the twins’ birth—no medical records or registered births—yet there is other evidence suggesting that a child or children might exist. This includes testimony from witnesses and recordings of conversations that sound authentic. Adding to the complexity, both the ex-husband and ex-wife represented themselves in court. This means they had to argue their own case and question witnesses without the help of lawyers, making the situation even more stressful and confusing. Lady Arbuthnot noted that the court isn’t equipped to investigate thoroughly and that some pieces of evidence might have led to a different conclusion if explored further. She found “strong evidence” of a pregnancy and “some evidence” that at least one child was born, but many questions remain unanswered, such as where the birth took place and where the child is now. This case is a stark reminder of how challenging family disputes can be, especially when the truth is so hard to pin down. It also highlights the importance of having professional legal support to navigate these tricky situations. At Sousa Law, we understand how confusing and emotional family disputes can be. Whether it’s a complex case like this or more straightforward issues surrounding contact disputes, we’re here to support and advise you. If you or someone you know is facing a challenging family situation, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re committed to helping families find clarity and resolution, no matter how complicated the case may be. https://lnkd.in/ezaJrm2W