Middleton Practice

About

Founded in August 1980, what is now ‘GLP Solicitors (Middleton)’ began life as ‘Clifford Cohen & Co’, then ‘Clifford Cohen & Foster’ and was re-branded with all its associated legal practices as ‘GLP Solicitors’ in 2004.

The Middleton Practice has traditionally dealt with a wide range of legal matters and in recent years has specialised in criminal defence, family law, conveyancing, probate and wills.

In addition to Middleton, the practice has a branch office at 100 Crumpsall Lane, Crumpsall, Manchester M8 5SG where Martin Cohen, one of the original founding Partners is based.

David Foster has been with the firm since 1981.  He spends most of his time acting for parents in care proceedings and other family matters.  He also appears regularly as a defendant solicitor in the North Manchester courts and is on the Law Society’s ‘Duty Solicitor’ scheme.

CONVEYANCING

The Practice is accredited under the Law Society’s ‘Conveyancing Quality Scheme’.  All conveyancing enquiries are passed to the firm’s branch office at Crumpsall, which houses the Conveyancing Department.

CARE PROCEEDINGS – ACTING FOR PARENTS

GLP Solicitors (Middleton) specialises in acting for parents in care proceedings.  We do not act for children or for Local Authorities.  Care proceedings are started by Local Authorities where their Social Services Department believes there are grounds for removing children from their parents because of neglect or harm which has been alleged.

The case is referred to the family courts for a decision to be made as to the long-term future of the child whether that be in terms of adoption, long-term foster-care or return to the parents.

Children can be returned to their parents either with or without a continuing order. Legal aid is always available for such cases.

Where a care order has been made, the parents may be dissatisfied with the level of contact offered by the Local Authority. An application can be made to the courts for such contact to be reviewed. Where the parents’ circumstances have changed, they may wish to make an application to the courts for a care order to be discharged so that children can be returned home. Legal aid is usually available for such cases.

• GLP SOLICITORS at MIDDLETON
  has many years of experience of dealing with such cases of all varieties and complexities.
• frequently act for parents who are in prison and who therefore find difficulty in obtaining representation (we regularly advertise in“Inside Time“ the prisoner’s monthly newspaper).
• have expert knowledge to advise on when legal aid is or is not available.
• understand that care proceedings can be extremely stressful for parents. We aim to offer a caring service for parents at this time and to give detailed advice on how to make their case as strong as possible.
• cut through all the legal jargon and make sure that all the details of the proceedings are explained and understood.
• can advise on any associated criminal proceedings.