Connie A. Roark (Partner)
Connie is a Partner in the family team and has experience of dealing with all aspects of private family work relating to both finances and children.
Connie regularly advises on cases involving:
- Complex financial arrangements with particular expertise in divorces involving business and trust assets
- International elements including
- International relocation (also known as leave to remove)
- Cross border matrimonial disputes
- Jurisdiction disputes
- Pre and post nuptial agreements
- Issues concerning the arrangements for children in particular regarding relocation within England and Wales or abroad, financial provision for children (often knows as “Schedule 1 claims”) and cases involving high conflict or parental alienation
- International surrogacy
Connie regularly assists clients with the practical and financial implications arising out of their separation. Most of Connie’s clients or their partners work in the City and many have an international connection. Connie therefore regularly works with solicitors in other jurisdictions. She is praised for her sound judgment on cases and by clients for her diligence and support.
Connie has expertise in international surrogacy cases and helps parents with the parental order applications required following their children’s birth. On these cases, she works closely with members of our immigration team to resolve any issues in bringing the children home.
Connie is also a qualified mediator and assists her mediation clients with all issues surrounding family relationship breakdown. She has a measured approach and a calm and compassionate nature when navigating clients through the process.
She is recognised as a Rising Star Legal 500 UK 2021 for Family: Mediation and ranked in Chambers UK 2021 as up and coming in Family/Matrimonial.
Connie was one of the legal advisers on the script of The Split, Seasons 1, 2 & 3, a BBC drama series.
Connie joined Hanidel Jones LLP as a trainee in 2008 and qualified into the family department in 2010. Prior to joining the firm, she worked at a South Devon law firm where she undertook both children and financial work. Connie obtained a law degree from Exeter University before attending the College of Law in Guildford for her legal practice course.
RECENT CASES
- R v T [2022] EWHC 3362 (Fam) – the court’s determination of preliminary issues regarding parentage and jurisdiction following applications regarding a sibling group habitually resident in the United Arab Emirates
- SW v IB [2022] EWFC 151 – challenge to a decision made in arbitration. Arbitration decision upheld by the court
- Y v Y (Financial Remedy: Marriage Contract) [2014] EWHC 2920 (Fam) – financial remedy proceedings in the High Court concerning the weight to be given to a foreign marriage contract
- Re: N 2016 UKSC 15 – intervening on behalf of The International Centre for Family Law Policy and Practice
- Re: R 2016/1437 – intervening on behalf of The International Centre for Family Law Policy and Practice
Professional Societies and memberships and Awards
- Listed in the ‘Recommended’ tier in the Spear’s 2022 Family Law Index
- Resolution (the association of family lawyers committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes)
- The Law Society – including the Family and the Junior Lawyers’ Divisions
- The Family Mediation Council