Catherine Mason

Catherine undertakes all aspects of both public and private Children Act proceedings in all courts, representing applicants or respondents. She is a strong advocate: her submissions are often referred to as forceful and persuasive. She prepares thoroughly for trial and is effective in cross-examination.

“Catherine Mason is a strong advocate; she is forceful and persuasive, and is effective in cross-examination”

 

She gives realistic advice from the outset and has strong negotiation skills, enabling her to help lay clients and instructing solicitors work towards settlement rather than litigation. However, she is not afraid to challenge seemingly insurmountable evidence and she performs well in court.

Catherine enjoys a challenge and has undertaken a number of unusual and high-profile cases. She prefers to follow cases through to their conclusion but is also willing to undertake shorter hearings. She prefers to work together with instructing solicitors and often advises at short notice on drafting and procedure.

Placement applications

Catherine has a good track record of succeeding in defending care and placement applications against the recommendations of the local authority and children’s guardian.

Medical evidence

Her very good working medical knowledge enables Catherine to undertake detailed analysis of expert evidence. She has undertaken numerous cases which involve serious non-accidental injuries to children, often appearing against Queen’s Counsel. She also has a particular aptitude for analysis of facts and the testing of evidence.

Approach

Catherine has a flexible approach and is often instructed in cases where lay clients require sympathetic handling or firm advice.

Public Access

Catherine Mason may accept Public Access work, where she can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Catherine has a growing practice in financial remedies and often undertakes both the financial and Children Act private law proceedings arising out of particularly difficult and intractable relationship breakdowns.

She has undertaken high-value cases involving pensions, businesses, property abroad and interests of third parties, including TOLATA applications, but equally recognises the importance of achieving an appropriate settlement where there are more modest means available for division.

“Catherine Mason has undertaken high-value cases but equally recognises the importance of appropriate settlements where there are more modest means.”

 

Her negotiation skills enable Catherine to work towards agreement, where possible, but she performs well in court and prepares thoroughly for trial. Catherine gives realistic advice from the outset to help lay clients and instructing solicitors work towards settlement rather than litigation but is not afraid to challenge seemingly insurmountable evidence when necessary.

Catherine is a strong advocate, with her submissions often being referred to as forceful and persuasive. She is effective in cross-examination.

Catherine prefers to work on a case from the outset, believing that this method enables the lay client to get the best value from advice given and to benefit most from an agreed strategy. However, she will also quickly prepare for and appear in hearings at short notice.

Public Access

Catherine Mason may accept Public Access work, where she can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.