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Helena Downing

What do you specialise in?

Helena joined Banner Jones Middleton in 1994 specialising in Family Law. She is one of the best family lawyers in the region with much of her work now focussing on Child Care Law.   Helena represents the children, parents and/or families in complex cases, often involving Non Accidental Injuries, neglect and International Jurisdiction issues.

Helena has significant expertise in care proceedings, concerning the welfare of children brought by social services. She generally represents children in these proceedings, but occasionally represents parents/grandparents. These cases are traumatic for all concerned and Helena prides herself on giving clear, straightforward and robust advice as sympathetically as possible.

Helena has shown a particular specialism recently in dealing with International care cases where the jurisdiction of the case is unclear. This adds further complexity to the case as the jurisdiction issue must be resolved, often through the Courts, to determine whether or not the case can proceed in this country.

Helena is member of the Law Society’s Children Panel and is also a Children's Panel Assessor. She is a member of the Association of Lawyers for Children and a Resolution accredited specialist. Helena is also a trained Collaborative Lawyer (non-practising) and has been awarded the Help & Support for Separated Families accreditation.

Helena has been recognised by UK Legal 500 as having a 'deserved reputation in Family Law' and it is because of her achievements and excellent work that she received Recommended Lawyer status once again. Her reputation is attested to by many clients including those featured above. Helena has been recognised as a 'Recommended Lawyer' in the 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018-2019 and 2020 UK Legal 500 rankings for all of her achievements and excellent work in Family Law.  The 2019 guide praise her as the ‘intelligent, astute, persuasive and committed’ Helena Downing who ‘handles cases with sensitivity and commendable wisdom’.

Where did you study?
BA (Hons.) Durham University

When did you Qualify?
1984

Accreditations & Awards

Recommended Lawyer 2020
Recommended Lawyer 2019
Accredited Child Law
Help and support for separated families
Recommended Lawyer 2022
Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer 2023
Helena Downing
  • Consultant Solicitor

Chesterfield - Marsden Street

2/4 Marsden Street
Chesterfield - Marsden Street
S40 1JY

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Sheffield - Abbey House

3rd Floor
11 Leopold Street
Sheffield
S1 2GY

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Thankyou Helena Downing for all your excellent service.

Mr & Mrs W, Alfreton

The service I received has been outstanding in terms of the professionalism of advice given and timelines of actions. I am struck by the huge experience of the Senior Partner and was left in no doubt that my case was fully understood and dealt with effectively, sensitively, and creatively.

Helena Downing at Banner Jones was especially recommended to me, and I am very glad I took that advice.

Dr L, Chesterfield

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all you have done for me. I am really pleased with the outcome and I will always be grateful.
I will definatley be recommending Banner Jones to Family, Friends, Colleagues etc should they ever need legal advice and if in the future I myself need legal advice I will definitely return to Banner Jones for this. Once again thank-you so much for all your hard work.

Ms C, Sheffield

Helena I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in us. Without you I don't know what we would have done. 

Mr & Mrs R, Chesterfeld

We would like to thank you for all your help over the last few months and are relieved that's its all over. The children are happy to be back home with mum and have started to settle back down. 

Mr F, Chesterfield

Thank you Helena for all of your help and support. We have one very happy boy again.

Mr & Mrs L, Chesterfield

Thanks so much for your assistance with the matter Helena, it's been a terrible 9 months and I am really relieved it's finally over so that I can start to move on with my life. I am so glad I had you on my side rather than the other way around!!

Ms B, Mansfield

A huge thanks to Helena Downing. You was a star, thanks again.

Mr E, Chesterfield

Thank you Peter and Helena for your advice and support throughout this matter. You both made the whole process easier to cope with at all stages.

Ms F, Chesterfield

 

Thanks for everything Helena you are a legend.

Mr. B, Rotherham

Care Proceedings

I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for all of the time and effort you have put into this long-standing case - you have gone above and beyond for the client and tried your utmost to ensure his interests are protected throughout the proceedings.

Case Manager