Family Law And Public Law Specialists At Top Law Firm Help Out Scriptwriters

Two specialists at national law firm Irwin Mitchell have been helping out on a major plot for the most-watched soap on TV.

Family Law senior associate Kathryn Evans and Public Law partner Mat Culverhouse have been assisting the Coronation Street writers on the legal aspects of their new high-profile storyline, which began last night (Monday 5 October) and will run for several weeks.

Kathryn and Mat have spent months advising the writers for the soap, which is watched by millions each week and celebrates its 60th anniversary in December, on how best to navigate the legal paths characters Leanne Battersby and Steve McDonald will need to take.

Last month the characters were devastated to be told by doctors their son Oliver may never be able to breathe unaided again.

Expert Opinion

“Kathryn and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Coronation Street writers to make sure the legal side of Leanne and Steve’s journey was accurate and best showed the reality of the very tough situation they’re in.

“Our teams advise on these types of issues between families all the time, so we were both well placed to provide some insight into how the process works and how the process can work when courts are involved.

“The story will certainly pack an emotional punch and we look forward to seeing the viewers’ reactions.” Mathieu Culverhouse - Partner

The advice comes after Craig Weston, a senior associate barrister in Irwin Mitchell’s Criminal and Regulatory Investigations Group, helped out with a complex storyline last year involving a court case involving David Platt and Nick Tilsley.

The storyline kicked off with a shocking start last night as Leanne and Steve were told by the hospital during a mediation session that their son Oliver was too ill to move for any other treatment.