Syvil Lloyd Morris is a Solicitor Advocate and co-founder of the Firm. He is also the Firm’s Director of Family Law. Syvil returned to higher education after 2 years in the Police Force and 6 years in the British Army. He holds a BA in law from London Guildhall University, an LLM from Queen Mary and Westfield College and an MSc in criminology from the University of Leicester. He qualified in 1991 and specialises in child abduction law, childcare proceedings and international family law. He is a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel and he is also a member of Resolution. He is a First Dan black belt in judo, but still can’t control his 3 young daughters! Syvil is committed to representing those members of society who are less able, as well as ensuring that the Firm plays an active role in the local and business community. For more than 2 decades he has been involved in training local professionals on the law as it relates to domestic violence proceedings. He has written many articles on this area of law (some examples can be seen here and also here). Syvil was part of the Steering Group which successfully guided Milton Keynes Magistrates Court to attaining full Specialist Domestic Violence Court status. His ambition is to write a doctoral thesis on women who commit crime as a result of domestic violence. Syvil is a Honorary Senior Fellow in Professional Practice for the Law School at the University of Buckingham. Syvil is a passionate and fearless Advocate, who has appeared in all of the higher courts, including the Court of Appeal. Syvil is married to Carol, who is also a Solicitor.
Michelle Daubney is BLM’s Accounts and Office Manager. She is also the Firm’s Money Laundering Reporting Officer. She has worked in the Legal Aid funding side of accounts for more than a decade. Public funding eligibility has significantly changed since she first came into the law! Michelle started off her career in hotel management and catering having gained a City and Guilds certificate in Hotel Management and Book-Keeping at Aylesbury College. Upon leaving college she started working in hotels across the country gaining vast experience in the hotel industry but after working for some 15 years in this area, she decided it was time to try something new and to settle down. After getting married and having two children, she decided to return to the book-keeping/accounts side of business. This is what led to her moving to a firm of Solicitors in Central Milton Keynes. When her children were young, Michelle was involved with “Friends of the Schools”, which raised funds for the local community and for all of the little extras which the Government did not provide for. Now that her two children are grown up and quite independent, Michelle has more time on her hands to indulge her passion for fine wines, dining, reading and walking her dogs. She has even found time to enter a Ghost Hunt to raise money for a Kidney Transplant Unit in Oxford.
Jaclin Bastian is the Firm’s other co-founder. Until September 2014, she was the Firm’s Managing Partner and Director of Human and Business Resources. Following the changes to criminal legal aid, Jaclin and the criminal litigation department transferred to Cartwright King Solicitors.
Carol is one of our specialist family law solicitors. She is a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel and also of Resolution. She has expertise in Children Act and also Children and Families Act matters with a particular emphasis on families who face the threat of having one or more of their children permanently or temporarily removed into Local Authority care (childcare proceedings). Having spent some of her legal career with the Local Authority, Carol has a unique insight into the practical aspects of meeting the lawful criteria for removal of children, from their birth families. Carol also deals with domestic violence emergency procedures in relation to children and parents. Carol has a careful eye for detail and an ability to ensure that all of her cases are thoroughly prepared so that the complete picture is presented to the Court. Carol first met Syvil in 1985; little did she know that she would end up not only marrying him, but working for the Firm also! She is the proud mother of 3 teenage daughters who conspire to keep her amused, bemused, confused and enthused all at the same time! Carol has a keen interest in Russian and Second World War history. When she is not looking after her clients’ affairs or her own family. Carol relaxes by watching cookery shows on television and reading.
Clair King has joined BLM as Director of the Family Public Law Team.
Clair King is a highly experienced Family Solicitor and advocate. She qualified in 2001. She is a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel, which means that she is recognised as having the necessary expertise and experience to enable her to represent children in public law proceedings both in private and public law proceedings.
Clair is regularly instructed by Children’s guardians, parents, grandparents, other family members/carers and the Official Solicitor in both public and private family law proceedings.
Clair is a member of the Qualified Legal Representative Scheme which means that she has the necessary expertise and experience in cross examining vulnerable witnesses.
Clair is a member of NAGALRO and ALC (Association of Lawyers for children) and has been responsible for training and mentoring many solicitors.
Clair represents parties who have suffered all forms of domestic abuse and works closely with Women’s Aid. She has obtained protection for victims by way of Non-Molestation and Occupation orders.
Clair personally undertakes all of her own advocacy in court at all levels to include the High Court. Clair has an excellent reputation amongst both professionals and clients and receives a number of personal referrals.
Her experience and expertise has seen her representing parties on a number of high profile cases which have been reported in the media and on Bailii.
Clair is instructed in a wide geographical area to include Luton, Watford, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Bedford, Hertfordshire, Reading, Coventry, London and Oxford.
Debbie qualified as a solicitor in March 2013 and specialises in family law. Debbie studied at Cardiff University and received a 2:1 with honours degree in Law. Debbie has worked at specialist family law firms in Cambridge, Exeter and Birmingham and has enjoyed having represented many clients including parents and grandparents in often complex cases. Debbie is committed to offering clients clear and concise advise as to all their options at invariably difficult and emotional times when dealing with relationship or family breakdown. Debbie undertakes all areas of family work including divorce, domestic abuse and children cases as well as representing parents in care proceedings. She takes a sensitive but pragmatic and sensible approach to family matters with a resolution based focused to achieve the best results for clients. In her spare time, Debbie enjoys going to the gym and running to try to keep fit as well as many trips abroad as she can squeeze in! She also spends a lot of her time with her family and spoils her nieces far too much!
Mayuri qualified as a solicitor in 2005. Since that time she has built up a vast array of knowledge and acquired extensive experience in both public law and private law Children Act matters. She has represented parents and grandparents in complex cases, including care proceedings and international family law. Mayuri also has wide-ranging expertise in divorce and financial matters, as well as in the law as it relates to victims of domestic abuse. She is passionate about representing clients who are going through a difficult and emotional time in their lives. She always seeks to apply strategies, on behalf of the client, with a view to achieving the very best outcome. Mayuri is an accredited member of Resolution and also a member of the Law Society’s Family Law Panel. In her spare time Mayuri enjoys baking and spending time with her family.
Mayuri Sarathchandra is the person in charge of handling Complaints.
If your Complaint is not resolved within the Firm you can now contact the Legal Ombudsman at:
Legal Ombudsman
PO Box 6806
Wolverhampton
WV1 9WJ
Tel: 0300 555 0333
Website: www.legalombudsman.org.uk
Email: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk
Kiana is a Trainee Solicitor, who has a passion for the law industry. She deals with a variety of work, including divorce and care cases. She also manages billing issues such as high cost cases and legal help files. Kiana graduated from De Montfort University with an LLB Hons Law Degree. Since studying law from GCSE all the way up to degree level, her interest in law, has continually grown. Outside of work, Kiana enjoys hanging out with her friends and most importantly eating a pizza as often as she can!
Loretta is a Trainee Solicitor who joined BLM in July 2019. She mainly assists with public law and private law Children Act matters, and divorce/finance cases. Loretta was inspired to pursue a career in law because she enjoys helping people in a way which is serviceable ‘to make a difference’. Loretta is working towards qualifying as a Solicitor, specialising in Family Law. She holds both Bachelors and a Masters degrees in law, and she has passed her Legal Practice Course. Loretta is a committed Christian, who in her spare time loves to travel, cook, draw and play the keyboard. She speaks Dutch and Twi fluently.
Lucille recently graduated from Aston University after studying Law and has joined the BLM team as receptionist/admin assistant. Lucille finds family law very interesting, with a key focus on court work. When Lucille is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going to church and particularly, taking naps!
Holly Gibbs is a Trainee Solicitors primarily working alongside Syvil Lloyd Morris. Holly graduated from Anglia Ruskin University with a 2:1 in her LLB (Hons) Law Degree. She went on to complete her post graduate LPC Master’s Degree at Anglia Ruskin University. She is really looking forward to qualifying as a Family Law Solicitor.
Holly deals with a variety of Family Law including Public Law proceedings, Private Children Proceedings, Domestic Abuse cases and Coroners Law. Holly mainly deals with Care Proceedings and Non-Accidental Injury cases. Holly has a particular interest in Coroners Law and always welcomes new cases.
Over the last 3 years, Holly has gained a wealth of experience in complex Non-Accidental Injury cases and Domestic Abuse matters. Holly is dedicated to supporting clients throughout their respective cases. Holly is extremely organised with a keen eye for detail. She is committed to preparing a case thoroughly and conducting a case diligently to ensure that each client’s case is clear and concise before it is presented to the Court.
Holly understands that clients can find Family Law proceedings daunting if they have never had a case before the Family Court. She recognises the importance of putting her clients’ minds at ease by explaining how their respective proceedings are structured and the steps she will take to conduct their case.
Outside of work Holly enjoys travelling and spending quality time with her family. Holly has a keen interest in True Crime documentaries and enjoys weekend city breaks.
Zuzanna is a law graduate from the University of Hertfordshire. She is a paralegal working with the 2 most senior Family and Care Practitioners in the BLM team. As a result of her academic studies, Zuzanna has developed a passionate and genuine interest in the Law. She sees the Law as a mechanism which not only helps people, in every facet of their lives, but which also protects them at every possible level. Outside of work, Zuzanna loves taking her dog for walks, spending time with friends and family and visiting new places!
Adam is a law graduate with a passion for helping the vulnerable and those otherwise in need. He believes that law has the power to create a fair and just society, if correctly used. He is always eager to explore new ways to apply his knowledge, so as to make a positive impact in peoples lives. Adam recently raised over a £1000 for cancer research. When Adam is not working, you will often find him either on the football pitch, or in the gym. He also loves family time, cars, travel and exploring new cultures; Adam believes that experiencing different perspectives helps us to become more empathetic and understanding.
Jemma is one of our Staff Paralegals, responsible to our Director of Family Law (Public). She spent a brief period working with us on reception, having graduated from the University of Buckingham in December 2022 with an Honours degree in law. Jemma is passionate about family law, especially as it relates to children and their welfare. She is also motivated to help vulnerable members of society, and she feels strongly about equal rights and access to justice. Outside of the office, Jemma enjoys keeping fit; she plays field hockey. She also enjoys taking the dog out for walks! Jemma is a ‘people person’ never missing an opportunity to travel and socialise with her friends!
Sana is one of our Staff Paralegals, responsible to one of our Senior Family Law Solicitors. She is a law graduate from Oxford Brookes University. Sana proclaims that her study of law has enabled her to see the legal system and its structures as a way of helping people in society, and protecting and caring for them, not necessarily merely sanctioning them. When Sana is not at work, she loves to spend quality time with family and friends.
Freya is one of our Staff Paralegals, responsible to our Director of Family Law. Freya spent a brief period working on Reception before becoming a Staff Paralegal. Having graduated with an Honours Degree in Law from the University of Kent in 2022, Freya worked in Primary Education before starting her legal career. Having worked in primary education throughout her degree, Freya is passionate about child welfare and creating healthy and safe childhoods. She thinks that having safe and nurturing home environments is essential to children’s well-being and is passionate about working with those who are struggling, to create these safe environments. Outside of work Freya is passionate about travelling, having gone backpacking for four months in early 2023. She also loves Art and Music and is often at concerts in the evenings.
Bastian Lloyd Morris LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Registered in England under company no: OC329737.
