Anju Kohli practices in a broad spectrum of areas in Family Law.
At all stages Anju gives consideration to out of Court settlements, including negotiations and mediation, with the view to reaching a prompt conclusion and saving costs. Whilst she is mindful of the need to reach a preferred outcome, at the same time she gives consideration to the impact that any action may have on the client on a financial level. Anju is mindful of the emotional needs of her clients during tough periods and, accordingly, she takes a holistic approach at the same time as dealing with the legal obligations.
Anju has been volunteering and providing support to victims of domestic violence at Southall Black Sisters since April 2017. Southall Black Sisters provides information, advice, advocacy, practical help, counselling and support to women and children experiencing domestic and sexual violence. The organisation is well known for the role it played in the case of R v Ahluwalia [1992] 4 All ER 889. This case is known in British legal textbooks and it changed the definition of the word “provocation” in cases of battered women, so as to reclassify Ahluwalia’s crime as manslaughter instead of murder. The film Provoked (2006) is a fictionalised account of Ahulwalia’s life and provides an insight into the role of Southall Black Sisters.
Anju was also involved in Aidiniantz v Riley [2015] EWCOP 65 (13 October 2015)
in the Family Court.
Anju has been described as:
“Dealing with the legal aspects of divorce and its financial implications requires expertise, experience and sensitivity. It can be a very difficult and stressful time for the individual and her approach is always to deal with clients in a supportive manner and by advising clearly and acting promptly to resolve matters. The consummate professional, she gives pragmatic advice while always fighting the client’s corner. She is happy to negotiate out of court settlements where required but also recognises when litigation is appropriate.”
Areas of expertise
Anju understands that divorce is distressing and can create many problems which need to be addressed and resolved. She approaches each case with meticulous attention, developed over years of experience of dealing with a wide spectrum of family matters.
Anju is well-known and respected for protecting her clients’ interests and will support you through your divorce, as well as the potential knock-on effect to the financial decisions and other options that you may need to consider during this process.
Anju advises on all aspects of financial matters arising from a breakdown of marriage, including dealing with highly complex financial claims with multiple assets – often with an international element – and where there are issues of non-disclosure and disputed valuations.
Anju’s has a track record for obtaining the best possible outcome for her clients. She will negotiate hard but is open to collaborative approaches.
Anju advises on all aspects of Children Act proceedings, including acting for either parent in residence, child arrangements, prohibited steps and specific issue order applications.
Anju will work with you through the process to achieve the right long-term solution, helping you to focus on the needs of the children. She will ensure that your voice and opinions, as well as those of your children, are heard – and valued.
If you or your partner cannot get divorced – perhaps for religious reasons or if you have not been married for one year – a judicial separation can protect your finances or property a similar way to divorce. Contact Anju if you are considering starting judicial separation and would like to know more about protecting your rights.
A third party can seek permission to join a case as an intervener so that they may assert their interest in respect of matrimonial property. There can be numerous scenarios when transactions occur between family and friends or even business partners and may never have been documented in the proper legal manner.
In these circumstances, consideration should be given as to whether those third parties should be joined as a party to the financial remedy proceedings so the court can determine the true ownership of the property before the division of the matrimonial assets.
It is important in these situations that the third party intervener receives prompt expert advice to ensure that their interests are adequately protected, and that their position is reviewed continually as the case unfolds.
Anju has experience in dealing with this complex procedure and can guide you through it with diligence and care.
Injunctions are court orders require or prohibit a person from carrying out a certain act. The most common areas in which injunctions are applied for are when a relationship has broken down and one of the parties is harassing, threatening or assaulting the other. This type of injunction is known as a “Domestic Violence Injunction” (i.e. a Non-Molestation Order or Occupational Order). A Non-Molestation Order will help prevent your partner (or former partner) from harming you or your children. The Domestic Violence Crime & Victims Act 2004 has made breaching a Non-Molestation Order a criminal offence. Anyone breaching this court order may be arrested.
Anju can offer advice and representation in respect of injunction proceedings, from explaining your legal rights and options, to securing an injunction to protect you and your children. She can also advise as to what preventative measures you can take generally, draft warning letters if appropriate, or contact the police or other agencies that may be able to assist on your behalf.
For help or advice please get in touch:
Click here to email or call +44 (0)20 8909 0400.