Unsung heroes recognised at national Family Law Awards

A hardworking behind-the-scenes team from The Family Law Company has been recognised as the Legal Support Team of the Year at the prestigious Family Law Awards 2023.

The Costings Team comprising Polly Hall, Maureen Craddock and Kim May, provides vital support for legal aid cases handled by lawyers at The Family Law Company. The importance of the impact of their combined skills, including expertise, thoroughness and patience, cannot be underestimated.

Legal aid is potentially available for clients who are on a very low income and who otherwise would not be able to have legal representation. Rather than clients paying their lawyer, the Legal Aid Agency makes payment. However the criteria for legal aid is very strict and law firms offering this service have to jump through many hoops to access funding. If claims are not presented correctly, they can be rejected or reduced by the LAA

By taking on many of the administrative tasks involved, the Costings Team frees up lawyers’ time so they are better able to concentrate on their clients. The work is intense; with between 300 to 400 legal aid cases annually the team is kept busy preparing and managing all claims. In addition, they train new staff to best prepare them for legal aid work and keep everyone informed about any changes to legal aid guidelines.

Polly and Kim attended the awards event at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge and were thrilled to receive the trophy from sponsors 1 Crown Office Row and event compere, Rory Bremner.

Joint MD, Rachel Buckley said: “Our amazing legal aid support team consistently goes the extra mile because, like all of us at The Family Law Company, they are passionate in the belief that legal aid is vital in ensuring everyone has access to justice.

“We couldn’t do what we do without their calm efficiency, thoroughness, professionalism in keeping on top of updates that happen so fast, plus their willingness to always step up to support our legal aid lawyers and clients.”

Pipped at the post on this occasion was the firm’s Children Team who had been shortlisted in the Children’s Law Team of the Year award.

“Although they didn’t win this time, we are very proud of them, another extremely hardworking team who never stop in their efforts to get the right result for clients.”

Hot off the press, the multi award winning family law firm has just learned that Solicitor Shreya Kallingal is a finalist in Today’s Family Lawyer Awards, in the One to Watch Family Practitioner of the Year category.