Sarah Jane Hook
This review was submitted by a verified client of Alletsons Limited.
Courteous and Compassionate Service with Room for Stronger Advocacy
During the private children arrangements proceedings which concluded with the Final Order in September 2025, Daisy Sellick conducted herself with professionalism and composure. Communication was courteous and timely, and she maintained a calm approach during what was an exceptionally difficult and sensitive case. Daisy showed understanding and ensured that documentation and correspondence were handled responsibly. She worked well with counsel and ensured that materials we supplied were received and acknowledged. Her focus on the welfare of the child aligned with the position of the Children’s Guardian, which helped the matter progress to a resolution. Strengths Daisy was patient and professional throughout. She ensured that procedural matters were explained clearly, and she maintained a respectful tone in all communication. Her guidance on the closure of the case and Legal Aid matters was well presented and easy to follow. Observations While I value Daisy’s measured and diplomatic style, I remain concerned that a substantial amount of legal reference material, including statute and case law, that I had provided was removed from my statements. I understand that this was done to make the language more neutral for the court; however, I believe that essential legal facts should have been retained to ensure that my position was fully supported by the relevant law. During the proceedings, I frequently faced serious and repeated challenges to my character, mental capacity, and parental responsibility from other involved parties and professionals. These claims were not accompanied by clear evidence, yet they appeared to influence the narrative of the case. At times, I felt that these matters were not addressed with sufficient strength or balance within my legal representation, leaving me without the reassurance that my position was being actively protected through the available legal channels. Although this improved towards the end of the proceedings through my partner’s persistence in communicating with relevant authorities, the earlier stages often felt unbalanced. A more proactive defence and firmer reliance on factual evidence would, in my opinion, have provided a fairer and more accurate representation of my conduct and capability as a parent. Summary Daisy offered professional and courteous representation and showed clear commitment to the welfare of the child. However, I believe that a stronger, more assertive approach in defending against unsupported claims and in preserving critical legal references would have significantly improved both my confidence and the outcome of the case. Overall Professional and compassionate service with strong communication skills. Greater firmness in challenging unsupported allegations and stronger use of factual legal authority would, in my view, have enhanced the overall quality of representation.
A representative from Alletsons Limited responded to this review
Thank you for taking the time to provide such a detailed and balanced review. We recognise the emotional weight of private children matters and appreciate the thoughtful way you have set out both the strengths you experienced and the areas where you felt the service could have been stronger. We are pleased to hear that you found Daisy professional, patient, and compassionate throughout, and that her communication and handling of documentation supported you during a very demanding process. Her commitment to child welfare and constructive engagement with counsel and the Children’s Guardian reflects the standards we expect across our family team. We note your concerns regarding the removal of legal reference material from your statements. Statements must meet specific court requirements, including being written in clear, neutral language that presents the facts without argument. Legal submissions are usually dealt with separately, and we appreciate that this distinction is not always obvious when you are in the middle of proceedings. Even so, your feedback highlights the importance of ensuring clients remain confident that the legal basis for their position is being fully represented. We will review this point with the team to reinforce best practice. We are also concerned to hear that you felt the early stages of the case did not offer the level of active challenge you expected to unsupported allegations made about you. Family cases often involve difficult and sometimes unfair assertions, and it is vital that clients feel their position is protected through firm reliance on evidence and clear procedural safeguards. Your feedback will be used to support ongoing training and case review so we can strengthen our approach where needed. We are glad to hear that matters improved as the case progressed, though we appreciate that earlier reassurance would have made a meaningful difference to your experience. Thank you again for your constructive comments. They help us continue to develop our service while maintaining the traditional values of diligence, clarity, and steady representation that clients rely on. If you wish to discuss any element of your case in more detail, we are available to speak with you.
