Overview

Marianna represents clients in private children law disputes and family finance. Marianna's previous experience in public children law matters is particularly helpful where Children's Services are involved prior to, or become involved part-way through, private children law proceedings.

Marianna is described as having a methodical approach to the cases on which she is instructed, attention to detail which is second to none and the ability to build a very good rapport with clients.

Alongside her Court work, Marianna regularly presents at lecture days and seminars and organises fundraising events for local and national charities as a member of Chambers' Charity Committee.

Marianna's attention to detail is second to none and she is always immensely well prepared.  She provides detailed and comprehensive advice and feedback and is extremely dependable.

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Dispute Resolution

Family Children

Family Finance

Family Law Act Injunctions

Direct Access

Private Law Children

Marianna is frequently instructed to represent parties at all stages of private children proceedings. She has been instructed in cases involving parental alienation and domestic abuse, including where there have been allegations of rape, a risk of honour-based violence and coercive and controlling behaviour. Marianna has represented clients in fact finding hearings where there have been allegations of harm against the child and in cases involving internal and external relocation. Marianna has experience in proceedings involving the making and discharge of Special Guardianship Orders and applications for enforcement.

Marianna enjoys working collaboratively with professional clients and welcomes the opportunity for a stand alone conference with a client early on in proceedings, particularly where there is a need to draft schedules of allegations in respect of domestic abuse and/or alienation or a proposed relocation.

Marianna has been praised for her attention to detail and conscientious approach, and prides herself in her ability to deal with clients sensitively and give firm advice where necessary.

Marianna's experience includes:

  • Secured findings of alienation following a multi-day fact finding hearing.
  • Successfully represented a parent at a final hearing in resisting an application for the children to be relocated to the Isle of Wight.
  • Instructed on behalf of a separately represented child in a case involving findings of alienation and a change of living arrangements for the children.
  • Appeared on behalf of the Childrens Guardian at a final hearing where there had been a change of living arrangements for the children during proceedings.

    Family Finance 

Marianna has experience representing clients at FDAs and FDRs and is available for instruction at Final Hearing as well. Marianna has been involved in cases where there has been the need to join intervenors and instruct an expert.


A copy of Marianna's privacy policy can be found here.

Marianna Lo Conte is regulated by the Bar Standards Board, holds professional indemnity insurance with Bar Mutual and is VAT registered.

Qualifications

(2012)The University of Law, Bar Professional Training Course, Very Competent
(2012) The University of Law, LL.B (Hons), 2.1
(2010) University of Southampton, BSc (Hons) Psychology, 2.1

Memberships

Western Circuit
Family Law Bar Association

Dawn Gore, Associate Senior Paralegal, Trethowans

Marianna's attention to detail is second to none and she is always immensely well prepared.  She provides detailed and comprehensive advice and feedback and is extremely dependable.

OK

Just wanted to say, Charlotte was absolutely excellent yesterday, both her and Marianna have been formidable advocates for me and I have no doubt your policy of using barristers has been a huge part in getting the (better than) desired result. I would wholeheartedly recommend either of them.

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Isle of Wight Legal Services

Thank you for your attention to detail and methodical approach [Marianna]. I really appreciate you having read things in such detail

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Bryan Scant, Associate Solicitor, Coffin Mew

I regularly instruct Marianna on complex private children matters. Marianna spends a considerable amount of time preparing in advance for a case and has a thorough understanding of a client's matter before the hearing. Marianna builds a very good rapport with clients and I would not hesitate recommending her.

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Lay Client

Marianna was calm during court proceedings and in this case it worked...I would definitely use her again and would recommend her to anyone. I felt she handled everything well and if needed to would have stood her ground if things were against us. She was fair and straight to the point, she didn't sugar coat anything and advised me well.

OK

Karen Harvey, Director, KJ Smith Solicitors

Prompt and reliable reporting who goes above and beyond in her duty to her client, thank you [Marianna].

OK

Dawn Gore, Associate Senior Paralegal, Trethowans

Marianna's empathetic approach to clients put them at ease whilst she does not shy away from giving firm advice and is a robust advocate. Marianna is extremely approachable and helpful at all times and I would not hesitate to recommend her to my peers and clients.

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