Carmelita Arden
Head of Family Law
01423 566666
carmelita.ardren@raworths.co.uk
Background
Born in Nottingham
Educated: Liverpool John Moores University( LLB (Hons)) and College of Law York
Previous roles: Meikles and Read Dunn Connell
Joined Raworths 2001
Member of Resolution
Trained Collaborative Lawyer
Member of the Law Society Family Law Panel
Legal Specialisation
Carmelita is a family law specialist. Particular areas of expertise include divorce, financial issues arising on a divorce or separation with particular interest in business assets and private children issues.
Experience
Cases Carmelita deals with on a daily basis include:
- Divorce procedure
- Separation issues
- Co-habitation issues
- Financial settlements
- Issues relating to civil partnerships
- Collaborative Law settlements
- Pre-nuptial agreements
- Residence
- Contact
- Removal of children from the jurisdiction
- Determination of specific issues/prohibited steps in respect of children
- Injunctions in respect of domestic abuse / disposal of assets.
In conversation
Why did you train as a collaborative lawyer ?
The spirit of collaborative law is a big shift from the traditional adversarial process which makes absolute sense to me. The idea of rolling our sleeves up and resolving problems facing the couple around a table, finding creative and quick solutions was like a breath of fresh air. I believe many clients want to try to remain on relatively good terms for the benefit of their children and maintain their dignity. This is exactly what Collaborative Law can offer.
Do many clients come to you for advice before they get married ?
When I first started practice this was very rare. However, many clients are now aware of the possibility of pre-nuptial agreements and we are consulted from time to time on such arrangements. They are popular with clients who have been married previously or have married later in life have assets they would like to protect after an established career.
What is the most unusual case you have been involved with ?
I recall one particular case which involved a number of very unusual applications in relation to the marriage and financial aspects of the settlement. In particular, the parties could not even agree whether they were married in the first place ! The husband even alleged that the wife had paid an imposter to attend the Registry Office ceremony 25 years earlier to sign his name.
If you have one piece of advice for a family effected by divorce or separation what would it be ?
It has to be to put your children first. Your relationship may have ended but your role as a parent continues. When faced with difficult financial issues on a divorce or separation consider what is in the best interests of the children as that is likely to point you in the right direction.
Do you tend to act for wives more than husbands ?
No, I would say clients are evenly spread between husbands and wives.
Have you experience of dealing with cases involving children moving to foreign countries ?
I have dealt with an increasing number of cases in which one parent has wanted to take the children to a foreign country to live on a permanent basis. In particular, I have had clients wanting to move or seeking to prevent a move to various European countries and even further afield such as New Zealand,Dubai and theAmericas. Such arrangements always produce a number of important and complex issues for the parents and lawyers to deal with.
What interests do you have outside work ?
I have two small children so what time I have I try to get out into the hills for a bracing walk. I am a keen walker having trekked in both Europe and Asia. A walk however would not be complete without a roaring fire and a real ale at the end of the trip.
