She is regularly instructed to represent clients in all types of applications under s.8 Children Act 1989 and is experienced in dealing with all hearing types including finding of fact hearings.

Zoey also regularly supports clients in Family Law Act 1996 applications for non-molestation and occupation orders, including those clients who are vulnerable, have experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse, or who otherwise have additional needs.

Zoey is praised by clients for being “engaging”, “approachable” and “charming” as well as having a “calm resolve that inspires confidence”. Zoey’s approach and people skills make her particularly popular with nervous clients and in disputes of a sensitive nature. She has the ability to look beyond the immediate issue and at the wider picture to provide advice that helps the client to work toward the most beneficial long-term outcome for them and their children.

Zoey also has the added insight of children matters from her judicial experience as a family justice for over 15 years; while sitting in that capacity she dealt with both public and private law hearings and applications. Zoey joins St John’s Chambers from a London based set where she completed her pupillage.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Zoey spent 5 years working as a legal assistant to a senior barrister as well as well over a decade working for a leading legal expenses provider. This led to her being involved in a wide variety of complex and high-value matters and gaining considerable experience in working with individuals of all levels both in conference and at settlement meetings.

Zoey is an Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator, and having qualified in 2006, has taught mediation across the UK and overseas to individual lawyers, professionals and members of the judiciary as well as for organisations such as the Bar Council, the NHS, Kings College London and the Association of Arbitrators (Southern Africa).

Zoey is based near Bristol and regularly attends courts across the South West, South Wales and along the M4 corridor.

Recent Cases Include

• E v W (February 2022). Represented the mother in a long-running private law dispute involving children with additional needs and allegations of parental alienation.
• S v M (March 2022). Represented the respondent in resisting an application for an Occupation Order where there were cross-allegations of abuse and controlling and coercive behaviour.
• B v B (March 2022). Represented the mother in both Family Law Act and Children Act proceedings including issues of threats to kill, mental illness and concerns around abduction.
• S v O (April 2022). Represented the father in a case where the local authority’s care plan was adoption and where there was fluctuating capacity.
• H v F (June 2022). Represented a father seeking a change to his child’s main place of residence including issues of alcoholism and emotional abuse.
• S v K (August 2022). Represented the child through the guardian in Private Law proceedings where there were issues of violence, domestic abuse and stalking.
• C v W (October 2022). Represented a vulnerable mother with respect to a contact application with issues including rape and sexual assault and where the child was represented by the guardian.