A Brief Introduction to Family Law at Dads House
What is Dads House?
Located a short distance from West Brompton station, Dads House is a multifaceted charity that supports the local community through various services.
Starting with a partnership with Solidarity Sports in 2008, Dads House began by running football games and cooking classes to provide support for single fathers. Since this time, the organisation has provided Family Law Advice, life coaching, drug and alcohol testing, before setting up the foodbank in 2014. The purpose of all Dads House services is to ensure that children are the priority after divorce, separation, or bereavement.
Billy, the Dads House founder, and Simon Bruce, Senior Counsel at Farrer & Co. commenced the Law Clinic as it is now mid-2020. Linette promptly joined as the first student advisor and the clinic has grown from strength to strength ever since. Currently sessions are run on Wednesday and Friday afternoons.
Left to Right: Linette, Simon B, Laura, Simon M, and Kate at a Wednesday session
How can we help?
Our legal advisers are able to assist you with any of your Family Law related needs. We work on cases from divorce and separation agreements to child residence and maintenance orders, and abduction cases. From a practical perspective, we will help you fill out your application forms, draft letters to solicitors, help prepare you for court and generally support you as much as we can.
Our work extends far beyond merely providing legal advice. Where appropriate, we support our clients throughout their entire legal journey and, via our wonderful relationship with Coram Chambers, can provide representation at court. We also place an emphasis on the wellbeing of our clients throughout the process, ensuring that they have the emotional support they need to assist them through such challenging circumstances.
Left to Right: Veryan, Billy, Anna and Lucy at a Friday clinic
How have we performed in the past?
Due to our empathetic approach, our clients and other legal practitioners have sent us many words of appreciation. Please see below for just a few examples of how our work has impacted their lives.
“You are all great in what you do and, in my opinion, Dad's House is the only law clinic that is easy to approach (and, believe me, I approached many), always responds very promptly and efficiently in regard to booking an appointment and when advising during the meeting.
It is not easy for me, as a litigant in person, to interpret and follow the rules of the law. Sometimes I am afraid of failure only because I cannot afford to have a solicitor. That is why being confident is of paramount importance to me. I always leave Dad's House re-charged with confidence in my own abilities and that Justice will prevail in my case, which would be life changing for me in so many ways. Thank you all! Knowing that you are there for me gives me a piece of mind and is greatly appreciated.” – A previous client
“I very much enjoyed reading your interview in Family Affairs and finding out about everything you are doing at Dads House. What great work. The job of the courts would be much harder without organisations like yours supporting and steering people in the right direction - so thank you.” – A Judge following an article on the work of Simon Bruce at Dads House
“I’m so happy today after my first meeting with my daughter, it was a pleasure to talk to her and see her, she was so happy and she wanted to show me everything she had and what she made herself. … Thank you Simon for all the effort put in in my case to reach such a result after 7 month of separation. Thank you all guys for that.” – A previous client
“Thank you also, for reassuring me about myself and capabilities as a father. This has been something that I’ve been forced to question time and time again through this process based on the fictitious accusations that are thrown my way. Your service is truly fantastic, and invaluable for lost father’s like myself. Thank you for opening my eyes to the light at the end of the tunnel, as they both sat on my lap today.” – A previous client
Laura Brogden - Law Graduate Volunteer
