Profile description
As a result of being so niche in her practice, Reagan has acted in cases well-beyond her call where she has represented parents, local authorities and guardians in complex fact-finding hearings, dealt with interim removal hearings in the High Court and tricky final hearings involving on-going criminal proceedings, linked directions hearings, and children witnesses. Her experience covers serious sexual abuse/rape allegations, broken bones/non-accidental injuries to children, historical and long-standing physical abuse allegations, parental alienation allegations, and cultural issues involving the making of forced marriage orders.
Reagan is a people person. She is able to empathise with parents who have their own vulnerabilities, including where the official solicitor may well need to be involved due to litigation capacity issues. Her skill lies in her ability to identify the issues in cases very clearly, cutting through any attempt that other parties’ may make to ‘muddy the waters’. She is considered fierce and strong-willed when it comes to putting her client’s case, particularly when they have their own vulnerabilities due to mental health or other difficulties.
Reagan is also well-learned and capable of challenging experts on their conclusions and evidence. Judges have regularly found Reagans’ abilities in these areas highly impressive. She always looks at matters in an appropriate holistic manner which means that clients get a second-to-none service from her representation.
As part of her professional journey, Reagan has worked previously in-house as a Local Authority counsel and so is very well versed in Local Authority processes and procedures. This makes her an ideal representative for Local Authorities in complex cases where a certain knowledge of the workings of the Local Authority can be key in presenting their position clearly to the court.
Reagan is also regularly instructed to advise guardians to deal with Children law matters where children have particular needs that require specialist counsel. She has extensive knowledge and experience of issues relating to gender identity and the difficulties that children can face when these matters arise. Similarly, she is very knowledgeable about the difficulties with children who have attachment issues, self-harming behaviors, and have been at risk of child sexual exploitation and grooming. Reagan’s ability to advise guardians in respect of these matters and to ensure that the children’s interests are put first in these complex cases is a credit to her skill-set as a Children law practitioner.
Finally, Reagan’s practice covers regularly exposure in the High Court in complex care proceedings. With a number of years of experience under her belt, she is confident in holding her own even in this complex forum.