Practice Profile

FAMILY LAW

Trisan is a specialist family law barrister. Her practice spans all areas of family law with a particular emphasis on children work.  In public law children cases she acts for parents, children, local authorities and extended family. Trisan has experience of handling cases involving suspected non-accidental injury, sexual abuse, neglect and domestic abuse, forced marriages and cases involving parental mental health, learning disability or capacity issues, concerns around substance abuse and addiction.

Trisan is experienced in representing clients at remote hearings, having acted in a complex three week fact finding hearing during the Covid19 lockdown which considered whether evidence from crucial witnesses should be heard remotely or in person. The judge ordered an adjournment of the hearing in order to hear from several witnesses in person, underlining the importance of the need to balance the right to a fair hearing for the parents with a fair hearing for the child. The case is reported at: A Local Authority v The Mother & Ors [2020] EWHC 1233 (Fam) (15 May 2020) before Williams J (Covid-19 - Fair Hearing - Adjournment)https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2020/1233.html Trisan was successful in defending an appeal by the mother with the judgment describing her arguments as 'short and effective'. The Court of Appeal judgment is reported at: C (Children: Covid-19: Representation)​ https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2020/734.html

Trisan also represented a client in the first family hearing in a London Magistrates Court during the same period. She is used to the unique challenges posed by remote hearings, and can effectively advise clients and solicitors on the best preparation and tactics for such hearings.

PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINARY LAW/REGULATORY LAW

In her professional disciplinary practice the focus of her practice is on health care professions and she regularly represent nurses and midwives appearing before the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Trisan has been instructed on cases which have included allegations of professional incompetence, fraudulent and incorrect registration, as well as, sexually motivated, and dishonest conduct. She has experience appearing in the High Court on appeals. She also has experience representing dentists before the General Dental Council.

Notable Cases Include:

•Okunlola v Nursing and Midwifery Council [2015] EWHC 2456 (Admin)

•Enemuwe v Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) [2016] EWHC 1881 (Admin)

•NMC v O-B (2016) – successful submission of no case to answer following the presentation of the NMC’s case in relation to charges of dishonesty.

 

ABOUT TRISAN

Prior to joining the Bar, Trisan worked as an A-Level Law, Sociology and Psychology Lecturer; Curriculum Team Leader on the Access to Higher Education Law Programme and as a University Law Lecturer.

Additionally, Trisan interned at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (Trial Chamber II) on the case of The Prosecutor v Tolimir, Assistant Commander of Intelligence and Security for the Bosnian Serb army who reported directly to the Commander, General Ratio Mladic, accused of and eventually convicted of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide crimes against humanity, and violations of laws or customs of war. During this time, she assisted the Judges with research and drafting sections of the draft judgment.

 

Interests & Commitments

Trisan has a keen interest in international child protection issues.

Visiting Part Time Lecturer at the University of Westminster School of Law

Her non-professional interests include:

•Writing and performing poetry

•Athletics

•Cooking dishes from all over the world

 

Qualifications & Awards

•BA (Hons), History and Philosophy, University of the West Indies

•LLB (Hons), BPP

•BVC, BPP

•LLM (Public International Law), Queen Mary, University of London

•Diploma in Teacher Education – History, Sociology and Psychology

 

Professional Memberships

• Gray’s Inn
• Family Law Bar Association
  
• Young Legal Aid Lawyers
• Discrimination Law Association

What Clients Say

"Trisan always attends court well prepared and is willing to go the extra mile when representing clients. She has a wonderful way with clients to put them at ease during the most challenging and stressful times in their lives. The feedback from the clients whom she has represented at court is always positive."

Niki Petinou – Faradays solicitors