About
Rachel is a children and financial remedy law specialist. She has expertise in cases with an international element (including surrogacy) and where there are allegations of domestic abuse and / or parental alienation.
She is the current Young Barrister of the Year (2020) and host of Family Law Week’s leading family law podcast. Links to the back-catalogue can be found here.
Rachel has a good command of French and Spanish. Enjoy a day in the life of Rachel here.
Experience
Private Law Children
Finance and Private Client,
Human Rights
International Family Law
Testimonials
“Rachel was amazing, very understanding, easy to speak to and made me a lot less stressed about the day as soon as I met her. Can’t thank Rachel or yourself enough with regards to today – I’m over the moon! Thanks again!” Lay client, via Slater & Gordon solicitors
“I instructed Rachel Cooper on a matrimonial finance matter as she was recommended to me by a colleague. Rachel has a fantastic manner in addition to the delivery of very sound, responsive, and user-friendly advice. I was able to bring my issues to a fairly swift conclusion and my only regret is that I did not instruct her much earlier. I would not hesitate to recommend her in the future.” Direct Access client
“I would like to thank Rachel for her assistance direction and time with the case involving my daughter. It has been a really testing and nerve challenging time for the past few years and yesterday finally felt like a line was drawn under the matter, largely thanks to Rachel. Her help on my case was greatly appreciated. I hope that she will continue to rescue many lost fathers and mothers that find themselves in difficult custody situations.” Lay Client, via Makwanas Solicitors
Publications
Wellbeing in family law: practical advice for avoiding burnout in lockdown. Blog published on Coram Chambers’ website, Jan 2021.
‘Pre-nuptial agreements: a decade since Radmacher’ (co-authored with Hannah Minty, Russell Cooke). A 2-part series published in the Resolution Review (Jan/Feb 2020 and Mar/Apr 2020)
Domestic abuse and service (Family Law Week, co-authored with Michael Horton, June 2020)
Private law update (Legal Action magazine, co-authored with Sarah Tyler, Jan 2020)
In addition to her busy practice Rachel hosts the Family Law Week podcast and her publications include:
- Resolution Family Law Handbook (3rd edition, published 2020)
- ‘Prenuptial agreements: a decade since Radmacher’ co-authored with Hannah Minty, partner at Russell-Cooke solicitors
- Non-molestation orders: Valid Service in the time of Coronavirus (Part 2) (Family Law Week, co-authored with Michael Horton, July 2020) https://www.familylawweek.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ed212030
- Domestic abuse and service (Family Law Week, co-authored with Michael Horton, June 2020)
- https://www.familylawweek.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ed211488
- ‘Surrogacy: BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Archers’ storyline highlights legal issues for parents’ (Family Law Week, October 2019) https://www.familylawweek.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ed203434
Cases
Rachel appeared for the children as junior counsel in the case of Re C (Female Genital Mutilation and Forced Marriage Fact Finding) [2019] EWHC 3449 (Fam). This case concerned allegations of inter-generational forced marriage and FGM.
Education and Professional Memberships
BA English Language and Literature (Euro) (Hons), University of Leeds / Université de Liège, Belgium (Upper Second Class)
MA International Relations, War Studies Dept., King’s College, University of London
Graduate Diploma in Law (Distinction); Legal Practice Course (Distinction); Bar Transfer Test, BPP University of Law
Honourable Society of Inner Temple
Resolution
Association of Lawyers for Children
Family Law Bar Association