Devika Shangari LLB (Hons)

Devika joined Ardale Brown in September 2018 and specialises in family law, including divorce, ancillary relief, private and public law children cases.  Devika is a member of Resolution, a national family law association where members are family lawyers and other professionals who are committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. Members follow a Code of Practice that promotes a non-confrontational approach to family problems. Resolution members encourage solutions that consider the needs of the whole family - and in particular the best interests of children, which helps to diffuse tension and leads to an easier and amicable resolution of family problems. 

Devika also has experience in private client wills and probate and is a member of Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP).  Devika is currently completing the STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates as well as the STEP Advanced Certificate in Cross-Border Estates.  Devika has successfully passed the first module of the STEP Diploma with distinction. 

Devika conducts her own advocacy which allows Clients to have the choice in having her represent them at court, as well as through the legal process. 

Devika is dedicated to her Clients, advising, guiding and assisting them through every step of their legal process.  Her friendly and approachable nature helps Clients to talk openly and comfortably with her, allowing her to present the strongest possible case to the other side and before a Court. 

Examples of Work:

Examples of work, which Devika currently undertakes include the following:

  • All areas of family law including divorce, dissolution orders (civil partnerships), ancillary/financial relief and obtaining injunctions (non-molestation and occupation orders).
  • All areas of private law children cases including Child Arrangement Orders (who the child(ren) is to live with or spend time with), obtaining Parental Responsibility, prohibited steps and specific issue orders.
  • All areas of public law children cases however, please note that Ardale Brown does not take on Legally Aided work.  Devika can help with advising foster carers and prospective Special Guardians.
  • All areas of private client work including advice on and preparing Wills, dealing with post-death variations, the administration of estates and advice on and preparing LPAs (Lasting Powers of Attorney) and applications for deputyship.  Devika can assist with inheritance tax planning as well as represent Clients in disputes involving estates such as Inheritance Act Claims, Removal of Executor Claims and Applications to the Court for Rectification.  Devika can also assist Clients who need to enforce Court orders.

Career:

Devika joined Ardale Brown having previously worked for a Local Authority Legal Department as a Child Protection Lawyer specialising in care and adoption proceedings as well as dealing with Judicial Review matters.  Devika dealt with a varied caseload including cases with an international element; court of protection cases and High Court cases involving inherent jurisdiction.  She has gained considerable valuable experience conducting her own advocacy while representing the Local Authority. 

Prior to that, Devika worked in private practice, specialising in family and probate work. 

 

Education and qualifications:

Devika completed her law degree at Brunel University in 2005; this included a 6 month placement with the Treasury Solicitors Department, St James Park, London (known as Government Legal Department since 2015) and a further 6 month placement in a family law firm.  She then went on to study the Legal Practice Course at College of Law, Guildford, graduating in 2006.  

 

Background:

Devika has lived in West Yorkshire and Hillingdon for a number of years before settling in Berkshire for the past 12 years.  Devika has built up a number of local connections to those areas having acted for a number of individuals and having worked with a number of other professionals in family and private client work. 

Outside of her career, Devika is a proud mother who deals with various triumphs and tantrums of her children.  She is also a professional classical dancer, who has been teaching and performing since 2001.   Her achievements in dance, have included performing in Germany with her troupe as well as at the Millennium Experience at the Millennium Dome in 2000.

Devika is also an active and proud trustee of a Charity, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, (Charity Registration No. 1013555).