Our People

Moira Sofaer (1975)

Team

Family, Court of Protection

Education

B.Sc. (Hons.) International Relations, University College London

Practice

Moira has an extensive full-time practice in all aspects of family law.

Her principle areas of expertise include: ancillary relief hearings in the High Court and county court; financial disputes between cohabitants under the Trusts of Land and Trustees Act; claims against the deceased under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act; validity of agreements made between parties including separation and prenuptial agreements; international freezing orders; international child abduction cases acting for parents and grandparents; disputes concerning the validity of marriages conducted in other jurisdictions; disputes between parties as to the jurisdiction in which a case should be heard; children law cases representing the local authority, parents and grandparents in care and wardship case; private law children cases section 8 disputes have included whether blood tests should be carried out, leave to remove from the jurisdiction, and education; and disputes concerning appeals against costs orders.

Moira is a mediator accredited by the Civil Mediation Council. She is trained to mediate all small claims and all (non-family) cases including business partnership disputes.

Profile

Moira has experience conducting seminars attracting CPD points for solicitors, and is currently preparing such a course for non-legal professionals. She has been a trainer for the Bar Vocational Course and has lectured for the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Moira’s degree in international relations included courses in psychology (both basic and social), conflict resolution, and decision-making in a crisis. Together with being raised in an international family in central London, it has been a good grounding for dealing with people from all walks of life and making clients feel at ease during the stressful process of litigation.

Moira has a special interest in the Court of Protection and The Office of Public Guardian.

Publications

Articles

The Court of Protection: An overview for family lawyers, September 2009

http://www.familylawweek.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ed39463

"The Office of the Public Guardian" The Review June 2009 (Solicitors Family Law Association)

Reviews

Family Law Week June 2009 "A Practitioners Guide to the Court of Protection" by Martin Terrell

http://www.familylawweek.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ed39463

Memberships

Family Law Bar Association,

Associate member of Resolution (Solicitors’ Family Law Association),

Solicitors for the Elderly,

Bar Human Rights Committee,

University College London Alumni,

Lawyers for Children.