On 9 October 2025, our panel of experts discussed the use of intermediaries and advocates in family law proceedings.
The discussion addressed how intermediaries & advocates work from the inside, how they operate in practice in the family courts, and how we can best use these resources to optimise the participation of vulnerable parties.
Presented by our panel of experts:
Alexandra Davey - Barrister - Family Team - 5 St Andrew's Hill
Alexandra is a busy specialist family law barrister, regularly providing advice and representation at all stages of proceedings involving children (both private and public), domestic abuse, divorce, and financial settlements. Alexandra has extensive experience in the full range of family law matters, and also has the benefit of a background at the criminal bar. Her background and expertise make Alexandra well able to adapt her approach to suit different clients and situations, and she empathises and works patiently to gain her client’s confidence and to protect and promote their interests. Alexandra prepares thoroughly, gives sensitive and realistic advice, and fights her client’s corner tirelessly in court.
Heidi Burrows - Barrister - Family Team - 5 St Andrew's Hill
Heidi practices exclusively in all areas of family law. With a caring and compassionate approach, Heidi accepts instructions on surrogacy and fertility law cases, domestic abuse cases, both private and public children proceedings, financial remedies, and international family law cases (including relocation disputes). Heidi’s specialisation in family law began in 2017 when she received a full-fee scholarship (based on academic excellence) to study an advanced specialist master’s in international children’s rights in the Netherlands. Having studied at five different universities in four countries in two languages, Heidi has an international approach to family law. Throughout her practice, Heidi has finessed strong communication skills meaning she is able to build a rapport with a variety of clients, even in sensitive and stressful circumstances.
Sacha Lee - Dawson Cornwell
Sacha specialises exclusively in children law cases, especially those that have international elements. Sacha’s practice encompasses the whole spectrum of legal cases pertaining to private and public law children matters. At present, this includes helping parents reach arrangements for their children after separation, international contact, international relocation of children, international child abduction (Hague and non-Hague), recognition and enforcement of foreign orders, international adoption, domestic abuse cases, cases involving very serious allegations, Fact-Finding Hearings, care proceedings and more.
Danielle Marron - Triangle- Intermediary Training Manager
Danielle has a background in Psychology and has experience as a Lecturer. Danielle has been an intermediary with Triangle for 9 years and has experience in working with a wide range of vulnerabilities and age groups, in both family and criminal courts. Her role is now focused on training and mentoring new intermediaries through Triangles Intermediary Development Programme and supporting the wider team with CPD.
Kat Edwards - Advocate and Manager, The Elfrida Society
Kat has been the Head of Services at The Elfrida Society for over three years and oversees Care Act, health and community advocacy projects, as well as consultation work with supported employees with learning disabilities. In Kat’s time with Elfrida, the Specialist Parental Advocacy Project has doubled in size and now supports parents in 15 London boroughs as well as further afield. Kat has been an advocate for people with learning disabilities for over 20 years and has been a teacher for foster carers and adults with learning disabilities throughout this time. She also has a Masters in Learning Disabilities and runs her own Easy Read company outside of her work at Elfrida.
