Contact Us

Services

  • Guidance on options
  • McKenzie Friend in Court
  • Drafting documents
  • Lay Advocacy
  • Advice on procedure and Law

Success Stories

  • Shared Residence OrderI am hugely grateful for the support they have provided in helping me stay in touch with my son, I could not have done it without them. Dr. P. (Surrey)
  • Excellent parenting timeand the whole momentum of the process shifted, ultimately to my (and my son's) great benefit... excellent level of parenting time, SRO, etc - Mr T. (London)
More Success Stories

Welcome to Family Law Decisions

McKenzie Friend and Lay Legal Advisor

(Children, Finance, Appeals, Injunctions, Private & Public Law)

Hello, my name is Jeff Botterill and I am a McKenzie Friend specialising in Family Law. I help parents maintain and re-establish their relationships with their children after separation and divorce. I also assist in financial matters (financial remedy proceedings/ancillary relief)). I have extensive knowledge in relation to children and financial matters. If you need help on these matters, call or email me and we can begin to talk about your best options.

For many of my clients, all that is required is some accurate and reliable advice in plain English. They simply need support to understand the options realistically available to them regarding their children. They might be looking for advice on a difficult situation for their children, and to explore any ways that it might be turned around. For some of my clients however, a more formal route is required, such as official mediation and/or using the legal system through the appropriate courts. I will provide you with guidance and information on the most effective route through the legal system aiming for the best result for your children and you. My clients have found that my support helped them avoid lengthy delays and reduced their costs in a considerable way.
 
I provide advice on all types of Family Law matters relating to Children and Finances after separation and divorce. An area I often work with is fully explaining which options are legally open to parents. This includes ensuring they are informed of the relative risks for each option and their prospects for success by pursuing any option. My work often includes experienced lay advice on court procedure and points of law you may need to be aware of. Separation and divorce can obviously be distressing for some people. Following the event, I firmly believe that properly informed parents can make better decisions for both themselves and for their children.
 
This includes work dealing with contact orders; shared or joint residence orders; prohibited steps orders (i.e. opposing leave to remove/internal relocation); specific issue orders (i.e. schooling); children's guardians, child abduction cases and appeals. I have extensive experience and knowledge in these areas at all levels of court i.e. magistrates, county court, high court, court of appeal. I also work with parents after a separation or divorce to create positive, effective interactions with important children's professionals. Many of my clients need to liaise with the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) staff, children's guardians, social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists and family therapists. It is in the best interests of both these parents and their children that all interactions with these staff always proceed as calmly and effectively as possible.
 
I can support you in Court and provide advice so that you can make informed decisions. Please take a moment to read the Children and Articles page which set out my shared parenting ethos.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I have found the support and advice from Jeff invaluable.  I decided to act as a litigant in person for a combination of financial reasons but also because I wanted to maintain control of my case and ensure the best outcome for my children.   Initially I did this on my own and soon ran into difficulties (despite being a confident person in a profession which involves public speaking and analyzing information).  
 
Having Jeff’s support has helped due to his: knowledge of legal matters; ability to prepare clear concise statements; and quick thinking in the court room.   But its not just these knowledge and skills – he combines a supportive understanding of a very difficult and upsetting situation with a clear headed willingness to tell you when he thinks such emotions risk making you say or do unhelpful things.
 

Thanks to Jeff’s support I have seen my children for the first time in a couple of years and am awaiting a more permanent contact order to be put in place." - Mr C. (London)