Together making a positive difference

Directors

Naomi Abraham-Bello

Director & Principal Solicitor

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
LLB (hons) Law. LPC (Distinction)

Experience:
Over 17 years’ experience in Family Law including complex children proceedings, care proceedings and financial proceedings.

Interests:
Loves theme parks, travelling, reading and spending time with her family.

Imtiaz Choudry

Director of Operations

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
BSc Information Management, Information Technology 1997
PRINCE 2

Experience:
Senior management
Project management
Vendor relationships
Marketing
Business owner entrepreneur
Founder Mums Can Do
People Management

Interests:
Budding football Mum
Networking
Fundraising for the local women’s refuge centre and the Children of the World campaign, including opening schools, hospitals and water wells.

Menaz Choudry

Director & Head of Domestic Abuse Department

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:

LLB(HONS)
LPC
PGCE(PCET)
Accredited Member of the Advanced Family Panel

Experience:
Menaz is a Director and Solicitor. She returned to legal practise, specialising in Family Law in 2019 having previously taught and been head of A-Level Law for 12 years.

Interests:
Enjoys hiking and when she has time running 5km or 1/2 marathon for Cancer Research, a charity close to her heart.

Stephanie Oxley

Director & Head of Court of Protection

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Stephanie completed her Legal Practice Course and Masters of Science (MSc) in Business and Law Management at the University of Law in Guildford with a Distinction grade. Prior to this Stephanie graduated from university having completed the Single Honors LLB Law Degree and having achieved a Distinction in the Masters of Law LLM, specialising in Human Rights Law.
Stephanie is a Law Society Accredited Mental Health Panel Member and has attained Higher Rights of Audience (Civil).

Experience:
Stephanie is a solicitor specialising in Court of Protection (Health & Welfare) and Mental Health matters, having practiced in this area of law for the past 6 years. Stephanie has experience in representing vulnerable individuals in both the Court of Protection and the Mental Health Review Tribunal. Stephanie also has vast experience in working with the Official Solicitor.

Interests: Stephanie is extremely passionate about Human Rights and helping her clients to achieve the best possible outcome in their matters. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys playing chess and loves spending time with her pets.

Farzana Ahmad

Director & Head of Children Department

E: [email protected]

Farzana completed her Law degree at the University of Westminster and the Legal Practice Course at College of law. She qualified as a solicitor in 2016 after completing her training contract at a niche law firm.

Experience:
Farzana is an accredited member of the Advanced Family Law Panel. She has a wealth of experience in all areas of family law including public and private law proceedings, child abduction, divorce and financial proceedings and ex-parte applications for children and domestic violence and protection from forced marriage and protection from harassment. Farzana also has experience in Immigration law.

Farzana thrives on client care and adopts a sympathetic and supportive approach to clients to ensure that she fully understands their needs and objectives in order to achieve the best possible outcome for them.

Farzana has a flair for advocacy and conducts the majority of her own having received extensive training from counsel's at various renowned chambers. She believes in consistency for her clients and continuity of service.

Farzana has actively participated in pro-bono work at various advice centres and women centres.

Reported cases:
T -v- G [2024] EWHC 246 (Fam)
Re-hearing of an application by father for a summary return of child to USA – the mother’s Article 13(b) defence made out and the application was dismissed.

Re T (Abduction: Protective Measures: Agreement to Return) [2023] EWCA Civ 1415
This is an appeal by the mother against two related orders, one of which was expressed to be ‘By Consent’, under the 1980 Hague Convention for a return of child to USA. Appeal was allowed on the basis that there was no agreement regarding protective measures.

Mark Baker

Chief Financial Officer

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Mark has an engineering degree from Queen Mary University of London, a Doctorate in Business Administration from Cranfield University and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. Mark was awarded the Cranfield School of Management prize for best doctoral thesis for his study on improving practical governance to improve performance. Mark is a Visiting Fellow at Cranfield and his research, teaching and publications are in the fields of governance and risk leadership, performance measurement and investment appraisal.

Experience:
For a large part of his career Mark held international leadership roles in branded multinational businesses, at Unilever and Pentland Brands, in manufacturing, supply chain and finance roles. Mark has also run his own management consultancy business for the past 8 years.

Interests:
Mark enjoys a variety of sports. He has run a few marathons and lots of half-marathons, enjoys swimming to keep fit and still has lots of fun skiing with his two boys. Mark has also been a committee member of Watford Water Polo Club for 12 years, and for the past 5 years as Treasurer. During this period the club has become one of the largest in the UK. Mark is currently leading an academic research programme on domestic abuse.

Solicitors

Gillian de Freitas

National Head - Court of Protection Property & Affairs

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:

QLTT
BVC – Bar Vocational Course
LLB (Hons)
Dual Qualified - Admitted to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Courts as Barrister at Law and Solicitor

Experience:
I joined HAB as a Director in 2023, and lead the firm’s dedicated Court of Protection, Property and Affairs Team. I have specialised exclusively in Court of Protection work for 14 years and have been appointed as deputy and trustee, managing complex deputyships and personal injury trusts for adults and children. I also represent local authorities and lay clients in complex deputyship applications and those seeking to challenge decisions made by the Court and the Public Guardian.

Over the years, I have been fortunate to represent a number of client groups including many who have sustained serious brain injuries as a result of catastrophic accidents and birth trauma and have received substantial damages awards to be managed for their ongoing needs. I have also had the opportunity to work with elderly clients who have unfortunately succumb to dementia and Alzheimer’s, and others who have suffered with mental illness, rendering them unable to manage their affairs. During my years of practice, I received significant instructions from local authorities, deputies seeking to maintain their deputyships and challenge the appointment of professional deputies, other firms and litigators to be appointed property and affairs or health and welfare deputy for their clients.

My experience includes:

Acting as professional deputy and trustee;
Making property and affairs applications to the Court of Protection for the appointment and discharge of deputies;
Dealing with complex litigious applications;
Acting for lay and professional deputies, and advising deputies as to their roles and responsibilities;
Investigating suspected financial abuse of vulnerable individuals and reporting to the Court;
Dealing with statutory will proceedings;
Making applications to the Court of Protection for gifts and settlements;
Acting as executor appointed by the court on matters where the beneficiary lacks mental capacity;
Preparing professional deputy costs statements to assist with the litigation process and acting as expert witness on deputyship costs;
Drafting complex trust applications for court approval;
Making health and welfare applications to the Court of Protection to determine disputed welfare issues, and to appoint welfare deputies.

My role as a professional deputy and trustee means that the team and I are trusted to work closely with the client and their families, ensuring we effectively collaborate not just to meet the clients’ needs, but to ensure their best interests are not overlooked. A deputy’s role is both a demanding and an extremely responsible one, and I am encouraged to work in an organised manner with multidisciplinary teams to include local authorities, social workers, lay clients, family members, litigation solicitors, care workers, barristers, case managers, other support staff, architects, fund managers and a host of other professionals. This approach is essential to maintain the team’s work remains focused upon achieving the client’s best interest, ensuring their ongoing needs are identified and met throughout their lifetimes.

Boyd Carter

Solicitor - Head of Care Department

E: [email protected]

Qualification:
Boyd completed his law degree, LLB (Hons), in Nottingham, then attended The College of Law in Bloomsbury for the Solicitors Final Examination and completed 2 years’ training before qualifying as a solicitor in 1994.

Boyd is a Solicitor-Advocate (Higher Courts Civil), an accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator and a qualified children arbitrator. Boyd is a member of: the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb); the Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation Panel (since 1998 as a children’s representative); the Association of Lawyers for Children; the Solicitors Association of Higher Court Advocates and Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association). Boyd used to be a member of the Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel.

Experience
Boyd has over 30 years’ legal experience and during that time has practiced in criminal law, family law and civil and commercial dispute resolution.

Boyd specialises in complex cases involving children including care proceedings dealing with the most serious of allegations including death, severe injuries and sexual abuse. Boyd regularly appears as an advocate in the Family Courts in London, the South East and East Anglia and in the High Court (Family Division), representing children, parents and other family members.

Boyd also advises and represents parents in disputes about their children and, in suitable cases under the IFLA scheme, can be instructed as an arbitrator in these private law children cases, to adjudicate on disputes between parents as a quicker and more discreet alternative to involving the courts.

Boyd’s interests and hobbies include cars, food, films, theatre, music, travel and family.

Vikram Kumar

Senior Solicitor - Care Department

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Vikram studied law in Southampton before completing his Legal Practice Course at the University of Westminster and qualifying as a Solicitor in 2006

Experience:
Vikram has 16 years’ experience in Family Law including complex children proceedings, care proceedings, domestic abuse injunctions, divorce and financial proceedings. Since 2013, Vikram is also an accredited member of the Law Society Children Law Accreditation Scheme enabling him to represent children in care proceedings

Interests:
Vikram likes to travel and experience new cultures and spend time with friends and family

Lilian Efstathiou

Deputy Head - Court of Protection

E: [email protected]

Lilian joins the HAB law Court of Protection Team team with a wealth of knowledge.

She is also an Accredited Legal Representative (ALR), which means she can act as representative for COP clients who are deemed to lack capacity.

Denise Ismail

Solicitor - Children Department

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Denise graduated from Southbank University before completing her Legal Practice Course at the College of Law. She has over 10 years experience in Family Law including divorce, domestic abuse injunctions and children proceedings. Denise is an accredited member of the Advanced Family Law Panel.

Interests:
Denise loves the outdoors and enjoys going for long walks and bike rides in her spare time. She also enjoys baking and spending time with family.

Ashleigh McCotter

Solicitor – Children Department

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Ashleigh graduated from Kent University before completing her Legal Practice Course with BPP. Ashleigh qualified as a Solicitor in 2017 and has over 10 years’ experience in Family Law, specialising in Private Children and Domestic Abuse matters. She prides herself on providing a holistic service to clients and having a personable approach.

Interests:
Ashleigh loves to travel and enjoys going for long walks with her Labradoodle in her spare time. She also enjoys cooking, reading and live music.

Thomas Metcalfe

Supervising Solicitor - Court of Protection

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Thomas graduated Durham University with a LLB Law degree and then complete the Legal Practice Course and Masters of Science (MSc) in Law, Business and Management at the University of Law in Leeds.
Thomas is a Law Society Accredited Mental Health Panel Member and has attained Higher Rights of Audience (Civil).

Experience:
Thomas began his career as a specialist in mental health law and representing clients at the Mental Health Tribunal. Thomas then expanded his expertise into mental capacity law and completed his training contract in both mental health and mental capacity law. Thomas has been representing vulnerable people and family member clients in the Court of Protection since 2020. Thomas also has experience representing clients in county court Nearest Relative displacement proceedings and bringing claims for damages against public bodies for unlawful deprivation of liberty.

Interests:
Outside of law, Thomas has an interest in training in boxing, practicing painting, and reading history.

Katherine Dalton

Supervising Solicitor - Court of Protection

E: [email protected]

“Katherine joined Fish & Co’s [HAB Law] Court of Protection Practice in early 2023 having spent the last three and half years working in-house as a Solicitor at Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole Council. Katherine has experience in acting on a variety of Court of Protection applications. Katherine was awarded a Commendation from the University of Westminster following her completion of her Legal Practice Course in 2014 . Katherine also has a LLB (Hons) Degree as well as being awarded Very Competent in the Bar Vocational Course from Northumbria University.  Prior to practising as a Solicitor, Katherine worked in commercial Corporate Finance and Management Consultancy in London.

Outside of work, Katherine enjoys travel, running and being a Mum to her young son. Katherine is also a Trustee of Helping Hands PTA which raises money for a local school in Dorset.”

Ayse Faik

Solicitor - Domestic Abuse Department

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Ayse graduated with a First Class Law Degree before completing her Legal Practice Course. She has experience in Family Law including domestic abuse injunctions and private law children proceedings.

Interests:
Ayse enjoys travelling, going to the gym, and spending time with her family.

Alasdair Murray

Solicitor - Children Department

E: [email protected]

Qualification
Alasdair qualified as a solicitor in 2016, after completing the Graduate Diploma in Law (conversion course) and Legal Practice Course. He has over ten years of experience primarily in Family Law, and seven years as a qualified solicitor, first at a high street firm where he completed his training contract, and then at a national firm specialising in Family work.

Experience
Alasdair has extensive experience of Family Law cases involving domestic abuse and private children disputes, particularly publicly funded work, and has also worked in other areas including care proceedings and divorce. He is familiar at working with vulnerable clients and resolving complex family disputes. He generally performs his own advocacy and has travelled to courts across London and the South East. He also has some experience in other legal areas such as immigration.

Interests
Outside of work, Alasdair has used his legal skills to help the community by volunteering in a law centre. His non-legal interests include art, history and theatre.

Sharina Salam

Solicitor - Tenancy & Finance Departments

E: [email protected]

Sharina is a qualified solicitor with over 20 years of Housing Law experience running homelessness, allocation, disrepair and other tenancy issues cases.
She also did some immigration work.

She has worked both in a Law Centre and in the private sector mainly doing legal aid work.

Sharina was able to advise on welfare benefit issues when dealing with housing cases since there was an overlap of welfare benefit issues with the housing cases.

Sharina also does family law. At HAB she deals with family law issues including financial matters such as applications for transfer of tenancies.

Sharina works part time at HAB law.

Gemal Naboev

Solicitor - Children Department

E: [email protected]

Gemal graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from City, University London in 2019 and has successfully completed his Masters in Law (LLM) with Legal Practice at BPP University in 2022. During his time at university, Gemal had developed a strong passion for Family Law.

Gemal currently holds extensive experience within Family Law. He currently deals with matters relating to Divorce and Separation, Private Children Matters and Domestic Abuse. Gemal has also conducted substantial amounts of advocacy within various family courts nationally in the role of a Paralegal.

In his spare time, Gemal enjoys going to the gym and educating himself with past historical events alongside world current affairs.

Madina Hadji

Solicitor – Court of Protection

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Madina completed her LLB Law degree at the Kingston University and the Legal Practice Course with Masters in Family Law at the University of Law in London in 2020.

Experience:
Madina qualified in 2023 and joined HAB Law as a Solicitor as part of our Court of Protection team. Since 2018 Madina has gained experience in Family Law (matters relating to Divorce and Separation, Childcare proceedings) Immigration Law, Commercial Law, Civil & Criminal Litigation and Mental Health Law, Court of Protection (Health and Welfare).

Interests:
Outside of work, Madina enjoys travelling, learning new languages, has a passion for interior designing & event decoration and loves spending time with family.

Kamran Bari

Solicitor - Children Department

E: [email protected]

Kamran graduated from the University of Leicester in 2018 achieving First Class Honours in LLB Law and thereafter completed his Legal Practice Course with Masters in the University of Hertfordshire with a Distinction.

Kamran has been working in Family Law since 2019 and is particularly experienced in areas involving domestic abuse. This includes representing clients for non-molestation orders, occupation orders, and forced marriage protections orders. Furthermore, he has experience in matters relating to children under the Children Act 1989. Prior to working in Family Law, Kamran previously worked in Immigration Law where he gained experience in completed various visa applications.

In his spare time, he enjoys reading, drawing and painting, and going to parks

Tyra Kessna-Irish

Solicitor - Court of Protection

E: [email protected]

Qualification
Tyra completed her LLB studies at the University of Kent in 2019 and completed her Legal Practice Course with a Masters at BPP University in 2020.

Experience
Tyra has extensive Court of Protection experience to include Health and Welfare and Property and Financial Affairs matters. Tyra also has experience with managing the property and finances of incapacitated Clients.

Tyra specialises in Applications which are made to the Court of Protection and Office of the Public Guardian to include:

Deputyship Applications
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Trust Applications
Applications to the Court of Protection to challenge or defend deputyship appointments

She is passionate about delivering a competent and sympathetic service to vulnerable Clients and their families.

Interests
Tyra enjoys reading and creative writing. She also enjoys running and going to the theatre.

Karyn Shaw

Solicitor - Court of Protection

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Karyn completed her LLB Law degree at the University of Reading and the Legal Practice Course with Masters at the University of Law.”

Experience:
Karyn has extensive experience working in the legal aid sector, specifically in Mental Health Law and Court of Protection (Health & Welfare). Prior to joining the firm, Karyn trained with Albin & Co Solicitors in Reading where she advised clients detained under the Mental Health Act. Karyn is able to provide representation to clients at Hospital Managers Hearings, Care Programme Approach meetings, Clinical Treatment Reviews, amongst others.

Karyn also provides representation to clients cases before the Court of Protection including advising on S21A challenges to P’s deprivation of liberty. Karyn’s experience with mental health law and mental capacity law means she is able to provide her clients with a well-rounded representation.

Interests:
Outside of work, Karyn loves all things musicals, nature and hikes.

Emily Hines

Solicitor - Domestic Abuse Department

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Emily graduated with a Law Degree from the University of Essex in 2019. Emily completed the Legal Practice Course with Masters at the University of Law in 2020. During her studies, Emily developed a particular interest in Family Law.

Experience:
Emily completed her 2 year training contract and qualified as a solicitor in March 2024. During her training, Emily worked on various family matters including domestic abuse and private children cases. Since qualifying, Emily now specialises in applications for Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders.

Interests:
Emily enjoys spending time with her family and going for brunch with friends. To unwind, Emily enjoys yoga and watching reality TV.

Jonathan Lane

Solicitor – Court of Protection

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Jonathan graduated from Newcastle University with a history degree and then completed his Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course at Northumbria University. He has over 10 years of experience in Mental Health Law, having Mental Health Panel Accreditation to represent clients at Mental Health Tribunals.

Interests:
Jonathan has a passion for representing and assisting vulnerable clients and represents clients in both Mental Health Tribunal and Court of Protection matters.

Dominique Backhouse

Trainee Solicitor - Care Department

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Dominique graduated with a First Class Law Degree from Royal Holloway University of London in 2019. She successfully completed her Legal Practice Course with Masters in Professional Legal Practice in 2020. During her time at university, Dominique developed a keen interest in family law.

Experience:
Dominique developed a strong interest in domestic violence and children matters during her time as a supervisor with the National Centre for Domestic Violence in which she worked on Non-Molestation Orders, Occupation Orders and Prohibited Steps Orders.

Interests:
Dominique enjoys travelling and visiting places of historical significance. In her spare time she also enjoys going to the gym and spending time with friends and family

Aleesha Khan

Trainee Solicitor – Court of Protection

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Aleesha graduated with a Law Degree from Sheffield Hallam University in 2022. She intends to begin the Legal Practice Course in 2023.

Experience:
Aleesha has a variety of professional experiences. She developed a keen interest in Court of Protection and has experience with Deputyships, Power of Attorneys and managing her own caseload.

Interests:
Aleesha enjoys travelling and learning about new cultures and languages. She also practices martial arts in her free time.

Adriana Silva Santos

Trainee Solicitor - Children Department

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Adriana completed her LLB studies at the University of Southampton in 2019 and completed her Legal Practice Course with a Masters at De Montfort University in 2020, achieving a distinction. During her time at university, Adriana developed a keen interest in family law.

Experience:
Adriana has extensive experience in domestic abuse cases, including applications for non-molestation and occupation orders, private children matters including child arrangements order, specific issues and prohibited steps orders and divorce proceedings. She is passionate about delivering a sympathetic service and achieving favourable outcomes for her clients. Adriana is also adept in advocacy and has represented her clients at court nationally. Client care is at the heart of what she does and supporting her clients through difficult times is paramount.

Interests:
Outside of work, Adriana enjoys going to the gym, travelling, and spending time with her family.

Shems Majid

Trainee Solicitor - Children Department

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Shems assists in the children proceedings department. She will often be the main point of contact for clients and will deal with their matter in a swift but effective matter. Shems’ friendly persona allows clients to feel at ease and she will using her interpersonal skills to fulfil her role. Prior to working at HAB Law she worked within the Immigration, Family and Litigation department working with high-net-worth clients. Shems has worked on high complex cases assisting solicitors and barristers and has been able to achieve successful outcomes for clients.

Experience:
Shems read law at the University of Hertfordshire and completed her Legal Practice Course and master’s in business law and management at the University of Law. During her post graduate degree, she developed an interest in Family Law.

Interests:
Shems enjoys learning languages and is fluent in Arabic, French and proficient in Korean. Shems writes legal articles about current contemporary legal issues on her personal blog and enjoys travelling in her spare time.

Mahshad Khodabandi

Trainee Solicitor - Court of Protection

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Mahshad holds an LLB degree from BPP University and is awaiting her graduation for her Legal Practice Course (LPC) and master’s degree.

Experience:
With six years of experience in the mental health field and some experience in private client work, Mahshad is now bringing her skillset to assist with matters in Court of Protection Department and to represent vulnerable individuals.

Interests:
In her personal life, Mahshad enjoys traveling and spending time with her dog and family.

Monica Mira

Trainee Solicitor - Children Department

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Monica's legal background includes assisting with Immigration matters and handling various aspects of Family law such as Domestic Abuse, Private Law Children, Public Law Children, Divorce, and Financial matters. She is experienced in managing both legal aid and private cases, serving as the main point of contact for clients.
Monica's empathetic nature and strong interpersonal skills create a comfortable environment for clients, enabling her to establish positive relationships with clients and colleagues.
Monica is an ambitious and highly motivated person who thoroughly enjoys challenging tasks, showcasing her eagerness to expand her knowledge and skills.

Experience:
Monica's academic journey in law began in Portugal, where she obtained her undergraduate degree in the civil law system. In 2019, she made the transition to the UK and successfully earned a Master's degree in international business law. Building on her educational achievements, Monica decided to further her legal expertise by enrolling at BPP to pursue a postgraduate degree.
Monica is currently in the process of completing the LPC and hopes to complete her training contract at HAB Law.

Interests:
Monica is bilingual, fluent in Portuguese and English, with a good command of Spanish, and she aspires to learn Mandarin. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and attending football matches.

Muhammad Hussain

Trainee Solicitor - Court of Protection

E: [email protected]

Experience:
As a Court of Protection Paralegal, Muhammad assists our Solicitors in representing clients in cases surrounding deprivation of liberty and best interest decisions for people lacking mental capacity. Muhammad will always act for individuals in a way that ensures they’re provided with the best outcome. Since completing the Legal Practice Course in 2019, Muhammad has gone to gain a wide range of experience in several areas of law including Immigration, disrepair law and Court of Protection. Muhammad had over two years’ experience of representing social housing tenants in tenancy disagreements, tenancy deposit claims and in cases where landlords were refusing to carry out repairs.

Muhammad also has strong knowledge of Asylum and Human Rights Law and the process of applying for Leave to Remain immigration status, having over three years’ experience in this area of law.

Muhammad joined HAB Law in January 2024 and is extremely passionate about helping vulnerable individuals in our community. He has obtained valuable knowledge in this area of law and hopes to continue giving a voice to those who are need of it most.

Paralegals

Yaibur Rahman

Senior Paralegal

E: [email protected]

Qualifications:
Yaibur read Law and graduated from Oxford Brookes University. He aspires to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales through the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination route.  He currently practices in the firm’s family department.

Experience:
Yaibur holds wealth of experience in family matters and currently specialises in obtaining emergency injunctions and Children Act orders.  Yaibur advocates and often appears in the County Courts. He had gained experience care proceedings, divorce, and finances.

Interests: Yaibur enjoys travelling to different countries and learning about their culture.  In his spare time, he also enjoys going to the gym and swimming.