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.
Carol Lloyd-Morris 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 6167
Slough
SL1 0EH
Tel: 0300 555 0333
Website: https://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/office/490041/legal-ombudsman
Email: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk
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.
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 joined BLM in July 2019 and is a newly qualified Solicitor. She mainly assists with public law and private law Children Act matters, as well as divorce and finance cases. Loretta was inspired to pursue a career in law because she enjoys helping people in a way that is serviceable ‘to make a difference.’
She holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in law and has passed her Legal Practice Course. Loretta is a committed Christian who loves to travel, cook, draw, and play the keyboard in her spare time. She speaks Dutch and Twi fluently.
Holly Gibbs is a newly qualified Family Law Solicitor. 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.
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!
Working on our reception area presently, Amna is the ‘face’ of BLM as a corporate entity. She brings meaning to the strapline ‘we’re on your side!’ She really is! Amna is a law graduate with an LLB (hons) from City, University of London. She is planning to start studying for her LLM and LPC in September 2024. Amna has set herself high goals which she is eminently well equipped to achieve. She hopes to qualify as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Adjudicature. She is very passionate about her career goals. Amna has previous legal experience, having already worked in the legal field. In her spare time Aman enjoys watching movies and taking long naps!
Simone Michaud brings extensive experience in legal support and business development to her role as a Staff Paralegal at Bastian Lloyd Morris Solicitors. With a strong foundation in family law, conveyancing, business development, and regulatory compliance, she is dedicated to delivering meticulous and client-focused support across a wide range of legal matters.
Simone holds an LLM in International Commercial Law with a specialization in Banking and Fintech from the University of Buckingham, where she graduated with distinction, first in her class. She also earned a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University, a BSc in Criminal Justice, and has been a certified paralegal since 2013 facilitating the support of domestic and cross-border family law matters. Her expertise spans drafting complex legal documents, taking client instructions, and liaising effectively with stakeholders and vendors to ensure smooth legal processes. Recognized for her attention to detail and commitment to excellence, Simone is passionate about guiding clients through complex legal challenges with professionalism and care.
In addition to her legal career, Simone has been a Parliament speaker at The Women’s Parliament since 2023, advocating for the rights of women and girls around the world. She focuses on critical issues such as economic rights, the wage and pensions gap, and AI-driven biases, working to promote gender equality and policy reforms.
With ambitions to sit the SQE and qualify as a solicitor in the very near future, Simone is eager to expand her ability to support clients and contribute more deeply to the legal profession. Down to earth, client centric and passionate about putting people first. Outside of work, Simone enjoys exploring World War II history, reading about politics, and unwinding with traditional Reggae music mixes alongside her loving family.
Olivia is well-suited to being our ‘corporate face’ on reception. We of course subscribe to the maxim that the clients’ first impressions necessarily has to be a good one. Olivia has all the relevant qualities to meet those criteria. She previously worked on reception with the Firm that our Managing Partner spent the first 20 years of his career with.
She has completed a course in music production at Northampton College and is therefore also well-suited to choreographing the highs and lows of family law work! She will always be a welcoming, receptive, and pacifying ear before passing the matter on to the relevant solicitor. Olivia took some time off work to travel the globe – she is a ‘people person’ who enjoys dealing with people from different parts of the ‘global village’.
When not at work, Olivia enjoys spending time with family and friends, including her 2 cats who she treats as being her children! Hailing from a musical background, Olivia of course enjoys going to music events both in the UK and abroad.
Theresa is an aspiring Solicitor with a passion for law. She is very altruistic and community-minded, wishing to advocate for the vulnerable and abused, in society, and help them access high-quality legal representation. She has a great desire to make positive impacts on people’s lives. Theresa has a BA (Hons) in Working with Children, Young People and Families, from Newman University in Birmingham. Theresa is a very experienced paralegal, having previously worked as a Domestic abuse specialist case worker, working for free on the cases of many survivors who could not afford legal fees. Theresa has also worked, as a paralegal at the Crown Court and at the Family Court as well. This has given her a unique insight into the working of the Justice System.
Theresa is a Christian, who sees her work as an extension of her calling. She goes to church every Sunday. She loves to socialise with friends and to spend family time with her loved ones.
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.
