Kim Lehal
Partner | Head of International Children
Adoption | Child abduction | Children Disputes | Domestic Abuse | Family | Relocation | Surrogacy
About Kim:
Kim is a recognised expert practising exclusively in all aspects of international and domestic children law. This includes international child abduction – Hague Convention and Non-Hague Convention wardship proceedings pursuant to the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court and relocation proceedings. RWK Goodman is one of the specialist firms appointed by the Ministry of Justice to sit on the Child Abduction: Accredited Solicitors Referral List.
Kim advises in complex family disputes in Child Arrangements proceedings, recognition and enforcement of judgments, adoption and matters concerning parental responsibility. Kim also advises and represents victims of domestic abuse, honour-based violence, forced marriage, FGM and abandoned spouses in foreign jurisdictions.
Kim is highly regarded as a specialist in assisted reproduction law and advises on complex international surrogacy arrangements and in multifaceted parental order cases where there have been issues with domicile, consent or where nationality or immigration law has caused difficulties with Family Court applications in the UK.
The international movement of children in the event of relationship breakdown can result in several issues arising which our experts at RWK Goodman can advise on.
Kim’s practice areas and specialisms include:
- International child abduction
- Recognition and enforcement of international orders
- Relocation
- Surrogacy
- Adoption
- Domestic abuse
- International child law
- Complex child arrangements
- Forced Marriage
Memberships & accreditation
- Accredited specialist by the Law Society Family Law Advanced panel in International Child Abduction and Children Law since 2013
- Accredited member of the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU) Specialist Solicitors Panel, the Reunite Panel of Recommended Lawyers
- Founding member of the Child Abduction Lawyers Association (CALA) and has previously been appointed and acted as its membership secretary
- Resolution
- Surrogacy UK
- Member of the Association of Lawyers for children
Awards
- International Family Lawyer of the Year finalist at the Family Law Awards 2024
‘Kim Lehal is particularly recommended for her work in international child abduction proceedings.’
‘Kim Lehal is outstandingly brilliant. She has an ability to settle anxious clients and explain complex legal matters in an understandable way. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of international adoption procedure and practice, with particular expertise at the recognition of foreign adoption orders.’
Leading firm out of London, particularly across areas of family law relating to children. Kim Lehal is committed to ensuring her clients’ interests are her priority and are considered by all. She is a great communicator who gives clear cut advice and gets involved in all key stages of cases‘.
Kim Lehal has a vast experience in acting for client in Children Act matters. She is routinely called upon for cases involving child abduction and abuse, often with international elements
She is an exceptional lawyer. She’s client-focused and ensures justice is pursued
She is a real powerhouse in the international sphere. She is recognised for her instincts for getting the right results for her clients
Notable Cases:
A return order made in favour of an Applicant for the return of children to Poland. The case addressed two key issues: first, whether returning children would expose them to a grave risk of physical or psychological harm, or place them in an intolerable situation contrary to Article 13(b) of the Convention, considering various protective measures; and second, whether one of the children objected to a return to Poland, and if so, whether the child had reached the age and maturity level where her views should be considered. If those conditions were met, the question was whether the Judge should exercise discretion not to order the return, as outlined in Article 13 of the 1980 Hague Convention.
Success in the Court of Appeal for an Applicant seeking a return of a child to Australia. The decision examined the issue of mental health in defending 1980 Hague Convention proceedings in reliance upon Article 13(b).
The case considered the impact and significant of foreign orders, the law on parental responsibility and contact for step parents across borders in Article 21 1980 Hague Convention proceedings.
The judgment outlines the law and considerations relating to leave to withdraw a summary return application pursuant to the 1980 Hague Convention and an application for recognition of rights of parental responsibility pursuant to Article 16 of the 1996 Hague Convention.
Represented the Respondents in the first reported decision to consider the matter of consent in a surrogacy arrangement pursuant to s54(6) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008.
Represented the Applicant in Article 21 rights of access Hague Convention 1980 proceedings which dealt with the issue of reporting restrictions and the publication of a fact finding judgment.
Represented Reunite in this landmark decision in which the Supreme Court ruled that a child who can objectively be understood to be an Applicant for asylum cannot be returned to the country from which they have sought refuge before their asylum claim has been decided.
Represented a parent in complex international adoption proceedings where a single-parent sought to have an Iranian Adoption Order recognised in the UK.
In this highly publicised case, represented a parent seeking to defend Hague Convention 1980 proceedings pursuant to Article 13(b).
This judgment addressed imperative issues about jurisdiction when issuing private law proceedings under the Children Act 1989 in any case that has an international element, particularly in cases where a parent has recently arrived in the jurisdiction with their children.
Successfully represented a parent in the Court of Appeal against an order under the Hague Convention for a parent to return two children to Canada.
An appeal raising the question as to whether and when it may be appropriate for the Court to dismiss a Hague Convention application. Kim was successful in defending a Hague Convention application.
Successfully represented a parent in the Court of Appeal in relation to the dismissal of a Hague Convention application to have two children returned to South Africa.
Represented a parent who had abducted a child to Russian where there were serious allegations of sexual abuse.
In another Hague Convention case, successfully represented a parent, in the Court of Appeal, whose child had been wrongfully removed from France. This case also involved care proceedings in which the child had been removed from the abducting parenting and placed with her uncle under an Interim Care Order.
Represented a parent who did not have parental responsibility and successfully argued that where a Polish parent had retained the child in Poland after a holiday in breach of promises to the English Court, those promises amounted to an express and unequivocal acceptance that the English Court had jurisdiction in matters of parental responsibility.
Client testimonials:
“I wanted to write a testimonial for you because so far I could not have imagined someone doing a better job for me thus far in this situation than you have. I work long hours and it is difficult to get time for appointments. When I started contacting law firms I was expecting to have to wait a week for a cold business like response and in some cases that is what I got. But in a few interactions with Kim I got a person whose extremely prompt and knowledgeable advice has helped bring order and calm to a situation which seemed chaotic and unmanageable. Thank you, Kim."
"I was the respondent mother in a case of International parental abduction. After representing myself and had an under qualified lawyer I came in contact with this law firm and specifically Kim Lehal. I cannot thank her enough I went from having a draft to voluntarily return my children as the previous solicitor told me I did not have a case to a judge dismissing the case against me. Kim thanks for understanding and as I told you before the hearing even if was not in my favour I had the BEST representation I could ask for. Hague cases are almost impossible to win. You have my children peace of mind. Eternally grateful and anyone looking for a good family lawyer that’s empathetic should get Kim Lehal."
“I live in Greece and my children were taken to England without my consent or knowledge. I did not have contact with them for 3 years. I feel extremely lucky to have found Kim Lehal. Developing a relationship of trust was important to me and I felt I was in very safe hands. I received clear, tactical advice on a complex international contact case which involved parental alienation. I was kept fully informed and updated throughout. I cannot thank Kim and enough for everything they have done for me and my children. After a challenging but worthwhile Court battle, I have been successfully reunited with my children. I will always be grateful to Kim for the rest of my life.”
"The team was always available and efficient in responding to me. I felt I was in safe hands during a difficult court battle. Everything was done promptly. Kim Lehal made sure I was fully supported. I received clear, tactical advice on a complex international contact case which involved parental alienation I felt she was knowledgeable and an expert in her field. She was also honest and upfront. I was kept fully informed and updated throughout.”
“I have used this company many times over the last 8 years for family law advice and always found them to be very helpful. Most recently Kim Lehal and her team assisted me with family law proceedings. They are highly professional and always happy to answer any questions I may have. I found them to be very responsive and kept me informed at all times. Kim always made sure I was prepared for any upcoming hearings. I can’t fault them at all. They made the whole process a lot less stressful than it would have otherwise have been, I’m incredibly grateful for all the hard work they have done.”
“Incredible amount of professionalism by all staff. They all worked so hard and were always available for contact. I felt completely safe when entering a hearing due to how prepared they were. I recommend them to anyone that needs honest advice or representation. Thank you.”
“I want to thank you for everything you have done for me and for my daughter. I will be grateful for this my whole life, and I know for sure she will be when she gets older. I can't explain all the weight, pressure and pain I am now able to lose, thanks to your job. I will be in debt to you all my life!"
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for the time, effort and respect that you put in, to helping me deal with the case brought to you just a little over a month ago.
"Working with you has been an extreme breath of fresh air after trying to deal with: Other solicitors (being told it was impossible to help in such a short time), The applicant’s solicitors."
"And I would not hesitate to recommend you and your company to other people, in-fact I already have. Without you and your team, I do not think I would be where I am today.”
"I am more than happy and satisfied with the results. I can't hide my relief and I would like to thank you for your effectiveness."
Learn more about Kim's area of expertise:
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