Colette Chesters

Family law is a wide area and it is my belief that by specialising in the specific areas of private child law and domestic abuse I can offer the best service and representation to my clients.

This specialisation allows me a greater knowledge of the law when assisting my clients seeking or opposing a Child Arrangement Order (formerly contact) , parental responsibility or a Specific Issue or Prohibited Steps Order.

I regularly obtain protective injunctions and Occupations Orders for victims of domestic abuse. Equally important is that any person wrongly accused of domestic abuse also receives the best representation available.

My approach

Colette offers an initial free of charge telephone consultation.

She will then quote you a fixed fee for your trial or hearing. This fee will also included all work necessary to ensure your case is fully prepared for trial and allows your case to be presented in the best possible way.

Colette's advice is presented in an easy to understand, down to earth manner. Colette will always 'tell it how it really is'.

A, without time limit, face to face conference with Colette will always be included in the fixed fee quote, this can be timetabled in the evening for working clients.

Colette is a sole practitioner which means she is the only person you will ever deal with, no switch boards, no leaving messages with third parties. You will always have reasonable email and telephone access directly with Colette should she take on your case.

About me

Charismatic and intellectually able Colette is an absolute amongst criminal advocates. Many successful outcomes in the Court of Appeal attests to Colette's sound judgement and advocacy skill. Her meticulous case preparation was noted on appeal and described as 'assiduous' by Lord Justice Otton.

Her down to earth approach, wealth of mature experience and ultimate people skills results in very satisfied clients. Bold and unrelenting, Colette's reputation as a fearless trial lawyer is fully deserved.

Notable cases

• Represented father on direct access basis where mother sought to remove child to USA. Following contested hearing mother conceded residence to father.
• Obtained a non molestation order and occupation order for my client on basis of coercive control when no physical violence had ever taken place.
• Obtained for Grandparents, leave to apply for a section 8 order then went on the obtain a section 8 order allowing grandparents regular contact with their 3 grandchildren.

Colette has always achieved a high level of acquittals and convictions overturned on appeal. In the Court of Appeal and on appeal from the Magistrates Court she has considerable expertise in arguing 'abuse of process' and having convictions overturned and cases struck out on the basis of mistakes made by the police or prosecution arguing the defendant did not receive an unfair trial or a fair trial is not possible. She is well known for her 'protester' work. Two years running she presented legal argument on behalf of in excess of 40 clients arrested at the Farnborough Arms Show. Both years the prosecution against all those arrested did not proceed. She has found defences for clients in driving matter when they had been previously advised to plead guilty Colette is also an extremely popular family lawyer being able to deal with cases of false allegations of domestic violence both in the criminal and family courts.

Professional & academic

I studied my law degree at Westminster University.

I was called to the Bar in 1996.

Memberships

• Family Bar Association
• Criminal Bar Association