Family Solicitors

We are proud that FLANC (Family Law Advice for the Neurodivergent Community)—a concept developed by solicitors at Duncan Lewis—has contributed to the Family Justice Council’s new Guidance on Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System for Practitioners.

This landmark guidance provides essential information on neurodivergence, along with clear best practices and a structured framework to help practitioners identify and address neurodivergent needs within family justice. It marks a vital step toward a more inclusive legal system.

FLANC was founded by Alia Lewis, Sheena Vadher and Fauzia Mumanifrom our Family and Childcare department, in collaboration with Jenny Beck KC (Hon) from Beck Fitzgerald, alongside Caroline Croft from Coram Chambers, and Jasmine Hollis and Flora Hughes from Beck Fitzgerald.

Their collective expertise and dedication ensure that neurodivergent individuals receive fair access to justice by tackling barriers in family proceedings and dispute resolution.

The Guidance on Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System for Practitioners is a crucial step in equipping legal professionals with the knowledge and tools to support neurodivergent clients effectively.

To read this guidance, please visit: Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

The Mission:

FLANC’s mission is to create a more inclusive family justice system that better serves neurodivergent children and families. Their key objectives include:

• Advocating for compulsory training on neurodivergence for all professional involved in the family justice system.
• Developing best practice guidelines for working with neurodivergent individuals.
• Implementing systemic and practical changes to make the family justice system more accessible to neurodivergent children and families.

Through their transformative campaign, FLANC continues to lead the charge for a fairer and more inclusive family justice system. 

About our team:

Our specialist team at DUNCAN Lewis has a unique and in-depth understanding of the challenges that the parents and children with neurodiversity (whether diagnosed on undiagnosed) face when involved with social services and family court proceedings, this enables out team to provide insightful, empathetic and emotionally intelligent representation.

Our Team

Family and childcare director Alia Lewis leads a dedicated and friendly team of Family and Child Care solicitors within Duncan Lewis specialising in representing neurodivergent individuals and their families. She works alongside Sheena Vadher and Fauzia Mumani, to assist clients in cases involving neurodivergence (including Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and Tourette Syndrome), learning difficulties, learning disabilities and special needs, in addition to assisting clients who are deaf or hearing impaired and children of deaf adults. The team’s sole focus is to advocate for the rights of neurodivergent clients and their families within Public and Private Children Law proceedings, including cases that are publicly funded. 

If you require specialist support from our Autism and ADHD Family & Child Care team, please contact Alia Lewis via email at AliaL@duncanlewis.com or via telephone on 020 3114 1193