Sultana Shawa

21/10/2025

If you're in a co-parenting relationship or partnership that constantly leaves you doubting your worth, feeling anxious, or walking on eggshells, you do not have to endure it.

❗ Signs of Emotional Abuse Can Include:

Constant criticism or belittling

Gaslighting (making you question your reality)

Controlling what you do, who you see, or how you spend money

Withholding affection or support

Blaming you for everything that goes wrong

Isolating you from family or friends

Threatening to harm you or take the children

Whether you’re not married, in a non-traditional setup, or unsure of your legal rights, you can still protect yourself and your child.
You are not powerless, and you do not have to tolerate abuse just to "keep the peace."

📞 Contact Me Directly

You are not alone. Let’s talk, confidentially and without judgment.
📩 Message me or call +44 7459 549866

20/10/2025

Another year officially renewed! ⚖️✨

Grateful to have renewed my Practising Certificate for the upcoming year, a small document that represents countless hours of learning, growth, and commitment to serving clients with integrity and care.

Being a Family Law Solicitor is more than just a profession; it’s a calling. Every day brings new challenges, emotions, and opportunities to make a real difference in people’s lives.

Here’s to another year of advocacy, resilience, and purpose. 💼💙

16/09/2025

⚖️ The Importance of Ex Parte Applications in Children Proceedings ⚖️

This week, I attended an urgent hearing on behalf of a father who had raised serious safeguarding concerns about his children. The court was satisfied that immediate protection was necessary, and granted:
🔹 A Prohibited Steps Order preventing the removal of the children from the jurisdiction;
🔹 A Specific Issue Order requiring the return of the children’s passports.

In family law, timing can be everything. When a child’s welfare is at urgent risk, the court has the power to step in immediately through an ex parte (without notice to the other party) application.

These applications are not made lightly, they are reserved for exceptional situations where delay could expose a child to harm. But when used appropriately, they provide vital safeguards such as:
✔️ Preventing the removal of children from the jurisdiction where there is a risk of abduction;
✔️ Securing the immediate return of passports or travel documents;
✔️ Stopping sudden disruption to a child’s home, schooling, or identity (for example, preventing a change of surname);
✔️ Putting urgent protective measures in place until the court can hear from both parties at a return hearing.

The court’s guiding principle remains the welfare of the child. Ex parte applications are therefore one of the most important tools practitioners can use to ensure a child’s safety in situations where waiting for the usual process could mean the risk materialises before action is taken.
In children proceedings, decisive steps taken at the right moment can prevent long-term harm and provide the stability children urgently need.

If your children are in need of similar protection, contact me by DM or WhatsApp.

15/09/2025

🏠 Home Rights Notice: Protecting Your Right to Stay in the Family Home During Divorce ⚖️

Many people don’t realise that if your name isn’t on the deeds of your family home, you could be left vulnerable during a divorce or dissolution. A Home Rights Notice (HRN) is a simple but powerful way to protect yourself.

✅ What is it?
A Home Rights Notice, registered with HM Land Registry, allows the non-owning spouse to continue living in the family home while proceedings are ongoing and prevent the owner-spouse from selling, transferring, or re-mortgaging the property without your knowledge. Importantly, this does not change the legal ownership of the property, but it does safeguard your right to live there until finances are settled.

💡 Why it matters
Without an HRN, the property could be sold without your consent, leaving you without a home and complicating financial proceedings. The HRN ensures any buyer or lender sees that your rights are protected.

📋 How to apply
HRN can be registered by completing a simple Form HR1 with HM Land Registry. There is no fee for registration. Usually, the notice lasts until a Final Order in divorce is granted, or until removed by court order/agreement

⚠️ My insight from practice
One of the most difficult situations I see is when a family home is jointly owned by a spouse and someone else. for example, a sibling, parent, or business partner. In these cases, it is not always possible to register home rights. This can be devastating for clients. I have worked with people who were shocked to discover that, despite living in the property for years and raising their children there, they had no automatic right to register protection. The impact is huge. It often leads to delays, urgent applications, and expensive litigation simply to secure a roof over their heads during proceedings.

If you are in similar situations DM or drop me a message on WhatsApp to understand your options.

13/09/2025

🚇 Reflections from Last Week’s Tube Strike: The Realities of Being a Solicitor ⚖️

Last week was a real test of commitment. With the tube strike in full swing, I had to set off 40 minutes to an hour earlier just to make it on time for court. For hearings listed at East London, the situation was challenging: many were suddenly switched to remote hearings at the last minute, without clear warning.

The result? Solicitors like me scrambling to adjust, and clients making the journey to court only to find out their hearing was remote all along. It was stressful, confusing, and frankly unfair on clients who already feel the weight of the court process.

One of my cases last Monday, a long-awaited final hearing was cancelled altogether because counsel could not travel due to the strike. It has now been re-listed for March 2026, leaving both parties in limbo for another six months. These delays cause enormous emotional and financial strain for families already in conflict, and yet they are the ones who suffer most from a system stretched by circumstances outside their control.

What struck me most was how much disruption the strike caused not just for commuters, but for professionals like myself who simply have to be there, hearings can’t wait. While train drivers have every right to take action, the ripple effect on courts, clients, solicitors, doctors, and so many others is immense. If further strikes go ahead, many hardworking professionals will once again bear the brunt, often without recognition of how difficult it makes fulfilling our duties.

But this is the life of a family solicitor: we adapt. Whether it’s battling travel chaos, sudden listing changes, or last-minute directions from court, we find a way to show up for our clients.

💡 The takeaway for me: clients need clarity, consistency and support now more than ever, and as solicitors, our role is not only to advise but to navigate the unpredictability of the system for them.

06/09/2025

Many parents don’t realise that if you’re not legally married or in a civil partnership (for example, if you are only in a religious marriage), the Court does not have the same powers as it does in divorce cases. But there are still ways to make sure your child is properly supported.

👉 You may be able to apply for help with things like:
✔️ Regular payments for your child (in some cases where normal Child Maintenance isn’t enough)
✔️ One-off payments for important needs, like moving costs, school items, laptops or furniture
✔️ Help with housing so your child has a safe and stable home
✔️ Support with legal fees if needed

💬 From my experience, many parents are shocked at how little Child Maintenance actually covers, especially where children have extra needs such as tuition, school trips, or activities. This often leaves the main parent struggling, as the system doesn’t always reflect the true cost of raising a child.

If you’re in this situation, whether you need to make an application for your child’s support, or you’ve been served with one, it’s really important to get advice early. Every family is different, and the right guidance can make a big difference.

📩 Contact me directly by call/message, all conversations are confidential, and I’ll help you understand your options.

16/05/2025

05/05/2025

If you or someone you know is facing a family law issue, Wildan Legal Solicitors is here to help, and so am I.

As a family solicitor at the firm, I’ll be there to guide you through every step of the process with compassion, clarity, and expert legal advice. Whether it’s divorce, child arrangements, non-molestation orders, or financial matters, we’ve got you covered.

We also offer Legal Aid for those who are eligible, so don’t let the cost stop you from getting the support you need.

Feel free to get in touch for a confidential chat.

LEGAL AID on Family matters

15/04/2025

Family Court Fees Have Increased – April 2025 Update

From April 2025, the fees for various applications in the Family Court have increased. This includes applications for divorce, child arrangements, and financial orders.

If you are planning to start a family law case, it's important to be aware of these changes and factor them into your plans.

For a detailed breakdown of the updated fees, please visit, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fees-in-the-civil-and-family-courts-main-fees-ex50/family-court-fees-ex50

If you are planning to start a family law case, it's important to be aware of these changes and factor them into your plans.

If you have any questions or need legal advice, feel free to get in touch. I am here to help guide you through the process.