Switalskis has extended its family law work in South Yorkshire with a legal aid family contract to Barnsley Local Authority.

The ongoing contract will allow the business to accept legal aid family and care work in the area, including domestic abuse injunction work, legal aid children applications and forced marriage matters.

Headed up by director Jennifer Heckingbottom the Switalskis Child Care Law team also includes solicitors Michelle Lawton and Laura Taylor , supported by the trainees and paralegals who work throughout Switalskis departments.

Highly experienced in Child Care Law, and an accredited member of the Law Society’s Children’s Panel, Jennifer acts on behalf of children or their guardians in care proceedings. She also works with victims of domestic abuse and in the specialist area of Adoption Law.

She says: “Switalskis has had a presence in Barnsley for a number of years but this is the first time we have applied for a contract. Having developed our Sheffield and Doncaster connections it was only right to enhance our footage in Barnsley, where one of the main family courts is based.

“Barnsley is a very traditional town, the solicitors there are all long standing with good reputations and we hope to be able to integrate and support them. We see this as an opportunity to serve the community.”

This new contract means the business will now actively look to recruit a child accredited solicitor to join the South Yorkshire team, potentially with connections to Barnsley and the surrounding South Yorkshire area.

Switalskis is home to 395 professionals providing legal and support services from offices in Yorkshire and London. The firm is committed to supporting career development, promoting diversity and offering accessible pathways into the legal profession. The company’s family law team, which has a top tier Legal 500 ranking, comprises 13 family law professionals working out of offices in South and West Yorkshire.