My name is Mary Cosker and I support women in private family proceedings in Wiltshire and Oxfordshire, which covers the courts of Salisbury, Swindon and Oxford.
As your Women’s McKenzie Friend I can support parents in responding to or applying for Child Arrangements Orders (previously known as Residence and Contact Orders), which amongst other things determines child contact and where a child should live or reside. You may also need assistance with applications for prohibited steps and specific issue orders, along with:
Preparing position and witness statements.
Support with preparing for and attending court for hearings including First Hearings (FHDRA), Finding of Fact Hearings, Dispute Resolution Appointments (DRA) and Final Hearings.
Guidance and support in dealing with breaches of court orders and assistance in applying to the court for enforcement.
I believe that supporting women in the community in the context of their lives, circumstances and emotional experiences is paramount to providing a holistic and meaningful service provision. Any support and guidance I provide as a McKenzie Friend therefore allows for and follows a trauma informed approach.
As a SafeLives qualified IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate) I supported women survivors of domestic abuse for over 14 years, and was one of the first appointed IDVA’s to operate in Swindon and North Wiltshire.
I look forward to hearing from you.