Zabeda has a specialist family law practice dealing with Children Act proceedings, both public and private law. She has appeared at all levels of court including the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Zabeda has extensive experience of acting in care proceedings and represents local authorities, parents, relatives and children whether individually or through their guardians. She has advised and represented parties in public law cases involving physical, emotional and sexual abuse. These have included cases relating to non accidental injuries.

In private law cases Zabeda has considerable experience in dealing with all types of complex residence and contact matters including shared residence, intractable contact disputes, removal from the jurisdiction, abduction cases, allegations of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, fact finding hearings.

Zabeda also acts in cases requiring injunctive relief and enforcement under the Family Law Act 1996 and in forced marriage cases. This has included representation of the child in a forced marriage case where the cultural issues were particularly important in providing appropriate safeguards.

Zabeda’s knowledge and appreciation of cultural and religious issues provides her with the ability to understand their impact in cases relating to children and the interplay between civil and islamic marriages and divorces. She is fluent in Urdu and Punjabi and understands Gujarati.

Qualifications

BVC Inns of Court School of Law, LLB (Hons) University of Derby, Blackburn College, Queens Park High School Blackburn

Areas of Expertise

Family Law

Professional Organisations

Northern Circuit, Family Law Bar Association