Paul Im Thurn

Family and Finance

Paul's family law practice spans children and finance, as well as more unusual cases involving divorce itself, annulment, the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court, forced marriage and the Court of Protection.

His public law practice has grown rapidly, and he is now regularly instructed by local authorities in contested care and adoption matters, as well as acting frequently for mothers, fathers, and children. He is also an experienced private law advocate, dealing with the complexities of flight risk and enforcement in cases that feature cross-border issues.

His past experience in property and chancery bring useful strengths to Paul's finance practice, equipping him to negotiate effectively at FDR hearings as well as seeing matters through to final hearings.

Court of Protection

Paul has considerable experience of advising and assisting clients with mental health problems, whether arising out of learning disability, acquired brain injury or mental ill health.

He accepts instructions both in the mental health tribunal and the Court of Protection.

Direct Access

Paul accepts Family Law instructions on a Direct Access basis for appropriate cases. Please refer to the below pricing range for their services; this is subject to case type, complexity and seniority or experience of the barrister. Accurate quotes will be provided prior to commencement of the work involved.

Family

Conferences: £250 -£650 + VAT
Directions/Review Hearings, FHDRA's & DRA's:£500 -£1000 + VAT
FDA Hearings: £500 - £1000 + VAT
FDR Hearings: £1000 - £2000 + VAT
Full day hearings: £1000 - £3000 + VAT
Refreshers: £750 - £1500 + VAT
Half day hearings:£750 - £1500 + VAT
Advice & Preparation (Hourly): £150 - £250 + VAT

*These price ranges are based on local courts; other courts will incur a travel charge. Please contact our Senior Family Clerk, Courtney ([email protected]), for more information.*

G v B (Private Children Law)

Contested finding of fact proceedings against my client, father, involving allegations of physical and sexual abuse, and his counter-allegations of violence. Complex history involving child abduction to Italy and Italian proceedings resulting in order to return to England. Fact find resulted in successful defeat of mother's allegations.

H v K (Ancillary Relief)

FDR dispute on existence of a loan of £85,000 to my client from opponent, complex conflicting evidence including date marriage had ended and disputed existence of jewellery. Allowed application to cross examine family member as hostile witness to assist powerful submission of husband's dishonesty resulting in my client retaining 78% of marital assets.

L v T (Private Children Law)

Relocation matter, client mother accused of parental alienation with supposedly spurious allegations of father failing to prioritise the children, delegating care to others. Mother application to relocate to another part of country, concerns of suitability of new partner, proposed new schools and extensive change. Additional evidence regarding interim contact during lockdown. Result mother permitted to move to new home with children.

Cumbria CC v N v O v O Children (Care Proceedings)

Complex care order application, children of Kenyan mother and Polish father living in England. Client Father's case was to return to his sole care in Poland, prompting LA & Guardian to seek expert evidence of implementing English Care order in Poland. Expert's opinion differed from Polish vice-consul. Challenged expert and result was care order in UK for welfare reasons over-rode the international issues.

B v B (Ancillary Relief)

Application to show cause, Husband client had agreed to disadvantageous terms previously without seeking advice. Wife had applied for occupation order of matrimonial home which both parties still occupied. Court released husband from old terms, but complicating factor lead to a 'quasi-FDR' and a settlement was thus reached, obviating the need to litigate further.

A v A (Private Law Children)

Client Father urgent application to High Court, after mother fled abroad with child. Successful execution of passport order at emergency hearing, secured order to continue to hold passports and maintain port alerts before child arrangements case.

M v M (Private Law Children)

Fact finding involving serious sexual allegations by client Father of 7-year-old child. Persuaded court to order a section 37 report to explore whether child had been coached to make allegations and all allegations dismissed as unproven.

Stockport MBC v B v D (Care Proceedings)

Child contracted gonorrhoea, sexual abuse by male therefore suspected. Client mother, also tested positive for infection, insisted inadvertently infected child during routine care. Expert evidence against mother's claim, following questions expert accepted inadvertent manual transmission could not be ruled out and LA accepted could not succeed in application.

Cumbria CC v H v H v HB (Care Proceedings)

Care application following toddler obtaining a broken arm. Client ex-boyfriend with no continuing relationship with the child dragged into proceedings. Fact finding found mother had lied to deflect blame from herself.

G v B (Private Law Children)

Finding of fact involving domestic abuse, violence, and sexual violence. Despite adverse evidence included on client's poor anger management.