Praveen Sethi

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CARE PROCEEDINGS *** PUBLIC LAW *** PRIVATE CHILDREN ACT MATTERS *** DOMESTIC VIOLENCE *** LEGAL AID ***CRIME *** DIRECT ACCESS

Public Law

Mr Sethi has experience of representing local authorities, parents as well as grandparents and other relatives in Public Law proceedings bought by the Local Authority. He has conducted advocacy at all levels of care proceedings from first appearance, case management hearings, IRH and final contested hearings.

In these cases, the outcomes can range from Placement Orders for Adoption, long term foster care, placement within the family under Special Guardianship or the child returning home to the family on a Supervision order.

Well versed in conducting advocacy in the family court, summarising case law, drafting court orders, case summaries as well as other key documents including thresholds and witness statements.

Mr Sethi has appeared before the High Court e.g., in Deprivation of Liberty Hearings (of a child) for both applicant and respondent. He has also appeared in cases involving niche points of law e.g., a case in which an application was made to invoke the inherent jurisdiction of the Court and place a child for adoption without informing a Father with paternal responsibility.

Mr Sethi has dealt with cases that have attracted high levels of publicity. e.g., when a parent is accused or involved in terrorism, high profile violence or sexual grooming.

Domestic Violence

Mr Sethi has experience of representing both Applicants and Respondents in non-molestation orders and occupation order applications bought under Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996. He accepts instructions at all stages of proceedings including: ‘without notice’ initial applications, ‘on notice’ hearings, return dates and contested final hearings.

He has worked with local and national charities and often assisted many clients at very short notice. He has previously been nominated for local awards for assisting victims of domestic violence in collaboration with Domestic Abuse organisations including on occasions on a pro bono basis when legal aid funding was not available.  In 2014 he was nominated for a Public Service Award for this type of work in Lancashire and received a certificate.

He has practiced this type of advocacy for many years and at almost every family court in Manchester, Lancashire, and Merseyside.

Private Children Law

Mr Sethi has represented both Applicants and Respondents in all types of hearings in the Family Courts. Examples include Section 8 Children Act 1989 Prohibited Steps Orders, Child Arrangement Orders and Specific Issue Orders. He has conducted advocacy at all stages, ex parte, Interim, First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment and Final Hearings.

On many occasions, there has been a link to Domestic Violence, as mentioned above. A client may have required a non-molestation order and a prohibited steps order to keep a child safe from an abusive partner.

Conversely, he has often acted for a Respondent who may allege that allegations of violence are exaggerated or fabricated to give the Applicant parent an advantage in child contact arrangements or finances when the relationship breaks down.

Other types of hearings include Declaration of Parentage (DNA Testing) and Applications for permission to change a child’s name.

Criminal Experience

Mr Sethi has over 12 years Criminal Law experience and his knowledge has greatly increased with experience as well as further qualifications.  He represents clients in the police station, Magistrates court and on occasion the Crown court.

A qualified Duty Solicitor since 2012 and Higher Court Criminal Advocate since 2014 he has been involved in the preparation of almost every type of serious offence in the Crown Court including Rape, Child Sex Offences, Sexual Grooming and Serious Drugs Offences.

In the Magistrates Court he has conducted advocacy in a wide range of offences. Some of the more common offences include driving offences, common assault, harassment, theft, and breach of restraining orders. Examples of the type of hearings include bail applications, bad character applications, sentencing and trials.

He has also provided advice on prospects of appeal of sentence and also legal opinion for the purposes of funding to the legal aid board as well as drafting defence case statements.

Vulnerable Clients

Mr Sethi has vast experience in representing vulnerable clients. Examples include victims of child abuse, domestic abuse or those suffering from mental health conditions or learning difficulties.

In both public law, family, and criminal work he meets vulnerable clients on a regular basis.  Ravi is acutely aware that he is meeting them at a particularly low point in their life when their children are at risk of removal and/or they are at risk of a custodial sentence and is able to approach matters sensitively. He has been able to develop a specific skill set which involves providing good, realistic advice whilst being both non-judgmental and empathetic.

On many occasions he has represented the same client in both the criminal and family courts.

Legal Aid Experience

Mr Sethi has many years of representing client’s funded by way of legal aid. Having been a legal aid supervisor in his previous employment, he is well aware of the requirements the Legal Aid Agency and the additional pressures, including administrative this can cause to solicitors on occasion. He takes care to ensure the necessary wording is included in the orders to satisfy LAA requirements.

General Interests

Outside of work interests include spending time with friends and family, community radio DJ, literature, music, fitness, hiking, football and comedy.

References:

“Ravi has been a fantastic mentor to me now for over 15 years. He is a go to contact whenever I need someone calm and intelligent to help me work things out. Humble too, no matter how silly the question, he has never let it be known. An expert litigator with a gift for problem solving. I am very comfortable passing on his details to clients, with the full confidence that they will be looked after professionally and competently”.

Mr  Shahzad Pathan, Solicitor

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“I worked alongside Ravi and had the opportunity to get to know him. He is a hard working, professional and diligent lawyer. A helpful and friendly team player and an exceptional court advocate with an eye and attention for detail”.

Mrs Alexandra Vivonna Solicitor

 

“I worked with Ravi as a young paralegal/trainee. He helped me do my first ever court hearing in the then County Court (now Family Court). I’m now 5+ years PQE and owe a lot to Ravi in learning the ropes of advocacy”.

 

Miss Farah Hussain, Child Panel Solicitor