Wollens Solicitors care team represent parents and carers within complex non-accidental care proceedings which involve allegations of physical abuse such as shaken baby syndrome, fractures, bruises, fabricated illness, etc. We work with clients all over the country (from Cornwall to Newcastle) and represent people in all courts including the County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Most of our work is legally aided (parents within care proceedings are automatically entitled to full legal aid). We deal with a lot of cases where parents transfer their legal aid part way through a case.
For examples of some of the recent cases we have dealt with, click here. To see what some of our client’s say about us, click here.


I am Rachel Carter, I am a solicitor and Partner at Wollens Solicitors.
I have worked exclusively in complex care proceedings and non-accidental injury since 2007, joining Wollens in 2012 and continue to focus my work on the representation of parents. I am a member of the Law Society’s specialist Children’s Panel which means I am accredited to represent children (often via a guardian).
More details about me can be found here. I am supported by Ilke Hatter-Weihs as well as others in the Wollens care team.
Rachel has been awarded the prestigious ACQ Award for Childcare Lawyer of the Year 2020.

A Thank You isn’t enough ! I am not sure what I would have done without Rachel. Through her expert knowledge and tenacity she literally saved our family. I would always be left feeling reassured after speaking with her on the phone. As a family we went through a harrowing process but I was so lucky to have Rachel by my side fighting for us!” ‘R’ – Family Client
CONTACT DETAILS:
Email: info@parentsaccused.co.uk
Telephone: 01803 213 251

I am Victoria Harle and I work in our family department. I am a qualified lawyer, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. Having worked alongside Rachel since 2017, I have years of experience in assisting parents and carers accused of non-accidental injury.
I have also been published in the Family Law Journal writing on the subject of appeals within the Public Child Law system. Find out more here.

Victoria jumped straight into action and really made changes in my case. She was professional, calm, meticulous and caring. Thanks to Victoria and the team my children are home where they belong with no findings against me! I can’t thank her enough and could not recommend her more, she’s fantastic!” Family Client
CONTACT DETAILS:
Email: info@parentsaccused.co.uk
Telephone: 01803 225113

I am Alicia Clutsam and I have worked within the childcare team at Wollens since 2020. Initially I worked with David Kendall and gained a huge amount of experience in relation to care proceedings generally. I have assisted many parents within PLO meetings and still continue to do so. These are cases where the local authority are considering applying to Court for a Care or Supervision Order where they believe the children are at risk of suffering significant harm. The PLO is essentially the pre-proceedings process where a plan is put in place in an attempt to avoid Court proceedings.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Email: Alicia.clutsam@wollens.co.uk
Telephone No: tel:01803 225125

I am Ilke Hatter-Weihs and I am an experienced paralegal and have been in the legal profession for over 23 years. I have worked in various roles and departments over the course of my career, including criminal law, prison law, personal injury and family law. I have studied with CILEX and gained the Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice in 2017.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Email: Ilke.Hatter-Weihs@wollens.co.uk
Telephone No: tel:01803 225153