Introduction

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Maria Lopez is the managing director of Court Support & Legal Services Ltd and supports litigants in person (LIPs) in the capacity of a Lawyer - Independent Advocate - McKenzie Friend in civil and family law and specialises in matters relating to children over 10 years.

 

Maria is also a member of Resolution, an organisation that promotes a non-confrontational approach to resolving family issues; she encourages a conciliatory approach, and she will support you in your Court proceedings and provide you with a service when required. 

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Maria regularly supports parties in private law children disputes involved in the process of post-separation. Maria deals with a variety of issues including contact and residence arrangements to specific issue applications. Maria has experience of dealing with allegations of emotional, psychological, domestic abuse and representing vulnerable clients from the first hearing to final hearing.

 

Maria is keen to expand her experience in all areas and has an effective approach to LIPs presenting their cases. She is able to provide clear guidance to individual clients whilst remaining thoughtful to their needs. Maria is able to put clients' at ease whilst putting forward their position clearly and robustly when ‘right of audience’ is granted.

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Professional Background

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Maria graduated in Law from the Staffordshire University in 2017 with a 2:1 classification and is pursuing the Legal Practice with Master of Laws at the University of Law Nottingham.

 

She began her legal career as a paralegal in a well-established local family law firm and, acting as a litigant in person which involved drafting submission and a complex skeleton argument to the Family Appeal Court. Proficient legal research skills, primarily in family and childcare law. Drafting includes; witness statements, and trial bundles. Multi-country and multi-cultural legal experience. Fluent in Portuguese, proficient spoken English and written English. 

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Prior to working as a Lawyer - McKenzie Friend, she has experience with over 10 years of owning & operating successful businesses in the UK, Brazil, and USA.

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Qualifications 

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LLB (Hons), Staffordshire University, 2017

LLB (Hons), UNINASSAU, 2007

 

Memberships

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Resolution

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