Rachel Lim

In short, my A-level Law teacher. He showed genuine enthusiasm and passion for his subject. He had an unorthodox approach to teaching and consequently there was never a dull moment in his classroom! One of the things that made his lessons so memorable was his ability to bring case studies to life. Rather than simply reading from a textbook he would cast members of the class as the different characters in each case, transforming legal principles into engaging, real-life scenarios. For some reason, I was always cast as the innocent victim, while one of my friends inevitably found himself labelled as the defendant/perpetrator!

Most people have at least one special teacher that stands out in their memory for making a real impact on their education or direction of travel. This teacher gave me the confidence and self-belief to purse a law degree, setting me on the path towards a career that I continue to find interesting, rewarding and fulfilling.

I am committed to achieving the best possible outcome for my clients, whether through negotiation, alternative dispute resolution or, where necessary, court proceedings. I recognise that no two clients or two cases are ever the same. I like to take time at the outset of a case to get to know my client, thus gaining a valuable insight into the background of the case and any peripheral issues which may influence how the case progresses.

I provide my clients with sensible, realistic advice and I encourage them to adopt a pragmatic approach to negotiations, as well as proceedings generally.

My clients are at the heart of everything I do, and I always aim to provide the best possible service. I work diligently and discretely on their matters, doing whatever is necessary to secure the right result for them.

I would describe my approach as firm but fair. I aim to help my clients reach a palatable resolution by taking a constructive stance, as opposed to one which simply leads to entrenched positions. In my view the best family lawyers are those who know when to negotiate, when to take a step back and when to fight, whilst always keeping the client’s long-term interest at the heart of their advice. Accordingly, I always seek to adapt my stance to match the situation, in order to secure the best outcome for my clients.

I appreciate that some clients find meeting with a family solicitor for the first time somewhat daunting and I always do my utmost to set clients at ease. There is really no need to feel anxious or embarrassed about speaking with me or another member of our family team. We are here to help and support clients through each step of the process. We offer a non-judgmental environment where clients can speak openly about their circumstances.

During the first meeting, I will ask a lot of questions so that I can fully understand your situation and how best I can help. My priority is to ensure that every client feels listened to, supported and reassured. I aim to provide clear advice in a straightforward language and answer any questions honestly. Ultimately, my aim is to make sure that at the end of an initial meeting, each client departs feeling empowered, with a clear understanding of their options and any next steps which need to be taken.