Shelley Cook

• Planning and undertaking targeted interventions for children who needed additional support, including those with special educational needs. Using and up-dating specialist software for the monitoring of progress of these interventions.
• Covered classes, teaching the lesson plans for the day.
• Tutored children individually and in groups.
• Partnered with teacher to implement lessons following the school curriculum.
• Marking and assessing work, correcting misconceptions.
• Maintaining records of first aid, disciplinary actions and children's progress.
• Liaising with parents, teachers, and outside agencies as required.
• Providing first aid to children.
• Providing social and emotional support to children.

• Worked in a small team in the family law department.
• Privately funded caseload comprising divorce and nullity proceedings, financial remedies, Children Act proceedings (private law), Family Law Act proceedings and Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act proceedings.
• Prepared and filed pleadings, represented clients at court, and instructed counsel as appropriate.

• Self employed area manager with national brand Mums in the Know, establishing and managing the Mums in the Know Portsmouth website.
• Researching, writing and editing articles, newsletters and events round ups.
• Managing social media channels.
• Liaising with local businesses and charities to sell advertising.

• Self-employed as a local editor with national brand Mumsnet.
• Writing aricles, newsletters and managing events listings.
• Managing social media accounts and selling advertising.

• Transcribed legal documents and phone conversations.
• Created, indexed, and maintained client binders.
• Prepared legal correspondence and wrote professional letters for solicitors.
• Received and placed telephone calls to clients and prospective clients.
• Answered and directed calls using multi-line switchboard.
• Produced and filed various legal documents and electronically preserved updated case record system.

• Caseload included cohabitation agreements, pre-nuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements, financial remedies and included several applications to the high court for freezing injunctions in relation to assets including properties and bank accounts.
• Advised on the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 and the Inheritatance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975.
• Advised on Children Act proceedings, including applications under sections 4, 8 and 14, as well as Schedule 1 applications. A number of cases also required applications for return orders and wardship proceedings.
• Advised regularly on divorce proceedings complicated by marriage certificates missing or in an foreign language.
• Considerable experience of cases with a foreign element, including jurisdictional disputes in relation to divorce petitions and applications for financial relief following overseas divorce.
• Further advised on Family Law Act 1996 applications including non-molestation orders, occupation orders and transfers of tenancy. Occasionally advised on Protection from Harassment la and practice in conjunction with advice under the Family Law Act.
• Caseload split 90/10 between publicly funded and privately funded work.
• Trained two assistants, one trainee legal executive and latter a trainee solicitor (now admitted) in family law and practice.
• Forged and maintained links with local charities and received numerous referrals by these means. In particular I worked with Al Hasinaya, the Moroccan Women's project in Notting Hill which is run in conjunction with Women's Aid and Eaves Women's Aid. Also received referrals from Victim Support and had a good working relationship with solicitors at the Royal Kensington & Chelsea legal department and local solicitors without a Legal Aid family franchise.

Joined as a paralegal in 2001, leading to a training contract and qualification as a solicitor in 2004.

• Trained in family law, criminal law, conveyancing and wills and probate.
• As a trainee I ran my own caseload and assisted the Principal, undertaking chambers advocacy where necessary.
• Upon qualification practiced both family and criminal law, undertaking advocacy in the magistrates court and county court.
• Gained Police Station accreditation and regularly attended local police stations to advise, attend interviews and identification parades.