Stephanie Dew is a Senior Consultant Solicitor who specialises in complex litigation. She has extensive experience in both the Family and Criminal courts which enables her to smoothly handle matters for clients who are facing allegations which result in overlapping or linked proceedings. Stephanie has previously worked as a partner at a Legal 500 and Chambers rated law firm.
Stephanie is a determined and proactive solicitor. She provides clear, strategic and cost effective advice for her clients with compassion. Whilst she is an experienced litigator, she takes a conciliatory approach where appropriate and will support clients through alternative dispute resolution and to achieve out of court settlements.
Stephanie offers face to face appointments in our Guildford and London offices and is also happy to meet with client’s remotely.
Family Law
Stephanie has a particular interest and breadth of experience in complex and unusual cases. Her areas of expertise include divorce, financial settlements upon divorce or separation, separation, cohabitation and prenuptial agreements, Trust of Land disputes and Schedule 1 Children Act Proceedings. Her work often involves a forensic aspect in locating undisclosed or hidden assets, third party interests and confiscation cases. She regularly advises clients in cross-jurisdictional matters.
Stephanie is also proficient in dealing with children matters following the breakdown of a relationship. She is a member of Resolution and was formerly an accredited member of the Law Society’s Children Panel. Stephanie is experienced in dealing with child arrangements and assisting parents formalise contact and residence arrangements for their children. She often deals with matters with an international element such as applications to relocate. She is regularly instructed in relation to cases involving false allegations, parental alienation, sexual and child abuse allegations, non-accidental injury (NAI), shaken baby syndrome (SBS) and fabricated and induced illness (FII).
Stephanie’s experience in both the criminal and family court systems uniquely places her in a position where she can advise clients in complex matters where an allegation has been made which has resulted in both police and family court involvement. Many of her clients have faced serious allegations in a domestic context, such as rape, sexual assault, physical abuse, emotional abuse and coercive controlling behaviour against a partner or a child. These allegations often result in an arrest along with family court injunctions, non-molestation and occupation orders. Stephanie is able to assist with all matters, taking an overarching approach so as to best protect her clients from adverse repercussions in any potential criminal or family proceedings.
Criminal and Regulatory Law:
Stephanie is experienced defending individuals accused of committing criminal offences across the spectrum including sexual offences, domestic abuse allegations, harassment, violence, drugs offences, firearms and fraud.
In addition to representing clients during police investigations and any following court proceedings brought by the CPS, she also regularly acts for professional clients who find themselves subject to associated regulatory investigations or facing professional disciplinary action. She has in the past dealt with investigations and proceedings brought by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), HMRC, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), General Medical Council (GMC), Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). She has also acted in cross-jurisdictional proceedings where there are parallel investigations by other jurisdictions such as the United States involving the DOJ and FBI.
Testimonials:
“I wanted to pass on a huge thanks to Stephanie for all her support and hard work over the last 14 months during my divorce. I always felt you were at the end of the phone or an email if I needed help or advice. It’s been a crazy period of my life, but I was very lucky to have you on our side.”
“When my ex-partner made a horrific allegation of rape and sexual assault against me, I contacted Stephanie Dew and was immediately reassured that I had contacted the right individual. Stephanie managed my case in an extremely professional manner. Whilst my case involved sensitive issues, Stephanie was non-judgmental, kind and courteous in all her dealings with me. She was extremely thorough and I was impressed by her attention to detail. Much to my relief my matter was discontinued by the police and I am now able to put this experience behind me. I would highly recommend Stephanie to anyone else facing similar accusations.”
“I just wanted to write and say thank you from my children and I for the help you gave us to get back together. We know that you were just ‘doing your job’ but without you we would most probably still be separated. Thank you for your professionalism throughout, your knowledge and experience.”
“I wanted to take the time to ensure I thanked Stephanie for her work on my matter which resulted in the police officer confirming that they would be taking no further action against me following false allegations made by wife. Thank you for your valuable support and the work you put in to make this happen. I am truly grateful for the significant role you played in achieving this outcome for me.”
“I wanted to thank Stephanie, not only for her work preparing the representations which resulted in the GMC not proceeding with the complaint which was made against me, but to also express my utmost gratitude for her support and guidance during what was an extremely difficult time.”
“Stephanie, many thanks for all your support. You have gone above and beyond to help me and I really appreciate the effort you have put in and the empathy you have displayed.”
“Thank you for your time this morning Stephanie. You are so helpful and discussing everything with you is like temporarily being an oasis of calm in what is currently a maelstrom!”
“The fraudulent allegation made against my husband, caused such shock and consequent repercussions that it has been very difficult to think clearly and plan logically. We were very grateful indeed to Stephanie for her sympathetic and helpful response. We are extremely grateful for the reassurance and encouragement provided by Stephanie. It was so good to feel that someone understood my husband’s situation and was on his side. It is such an isolating and humiliating experience to be the victim of such an allegation.”
Notable Family Law Cases:
D v O - Stephanie represented the father in an application for contact with his children following false allegations made by the children’s mother that he had sexually abused their young sons. A successful outcome was achieved with the court finding that the father had not harmed his children, contact between the father and his sons was re-established and he was able to resume his relationship with his children.
A v G - Stephanie represented the father in a highly contentious finances and contact case which included allegations of assault from the partner and mother of his child. The father was acquitted of all criminal matters and Stephanie successfully negotiated a settlement under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 in relation to the financial support the father would provide for his son throughout his minority.
T v M - Stephanie represented the mother in a successful application to relocate with her children, moving away from England back to her home country Hungary.
London Borough of Tower Hamlets v R - Stephanie represented the father in care proceedings where it was alleged that the parents had deliberately seriously injured their young baby. Through effective coordination of experts a successful outcome was achieved early in the proceedings, with the Local Authority withdrawing their application and all their involvement with the family and the Police taking no further action.
Slough Borough Council v S - Stephanie represented the mother in care proceedings where it was alleged that the parents had fabricated and/or induced their daughter’s illness (FII), starving her and lying about her condition causing her to undergo unnecessary medical procedures and surgery. A successful outcome was achieved for the mother, with the court making no findings that the mother had caused any harm at the conclusion of the fact finding hearing and the police not proceeding with the matter.
Notable Linked Criminal and Family Cases:
P v R - Stephanie successfully achieved a no further action for her client, a Senior Officer in the British Army who had faced accusations from his wife of rape, assault and coercive and controlling behaviour. The couple had a young son together and following the allegations his wife removed the child to an unknown location preventing any contact between them. Early instructions from the client enabled Stephanie to persuade the police to interview him as a volunteer which prevented his arrest. Following his police interview, Stephanie made written representations on his behalf in relation to the quality of the prosecution evidence and provided material which supported his case. Thanks to the detailed submissions, the matter was swiftly discontinued when reviewed by the CPS. as Stephanie then continued to represent the client in the ongoing family proceedings where there were many overlapping issues. A successful outcome was also obtained for the client in the family proceedings with no adverse findings being made against him and regular contact resuming with his young son. The client benefited significantly from the expeditious conclusion of the criminal matter as these accusations would have had devastating implications for his military career.
D v N - Stephanie represented the father in a parental alienation case involving both criminal and family proceedings following a number of false allegations made by his ex-partner and her stopping his contact with their child. This involved domestic abuse allegations including assault, physical abuse, emotional abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour. No criminal charges were ultimately brought and he was successful in challenging the non-molestation and occupation orders and also in obtaining a child arrangement order which enabled him to resume his relationship with his child.
Notable Criminal and Regulatory Law Cases:
Stephanie represented a Doctor who was the subject of a malicious complaint which resulted in a fitness to practice investigation by the GMC. This was an incredibly stressful time for the client as the matter could have destroyed his career. Stephanie supported him through the complaint process and to collate evidence which undermined the allegations. Stephanie then prepared robust representations which included a dossier of supporting evidence which were provided to the GMC at an early stage of their investigation. This resulted in the GMC promptly concluding the case with no further action.
LIBOR - Stephanie defended a senior executive at a bank who was accused of influencing this key interest rate. She represented him within the internal investigations conducted by his bank and also during interviews with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), FBI and US Department of Justice (DOJ). The regulatory bodies did not proceed with prosecuting the client and the matter concluded at the investigative stage.
VAT Fraud - Stephanie represented a business owner during interviews with HMRC in relation to an allegation of VAT fraud. Stephanie successfully made representations on his behalf and no further action was taken.
Police Station Investigation - Stephanie succeeded in having a very serious allegation of multiple rapes discontinued whilst at the police station stage prior to charge. Stephanie prepared detailed representations on behalf of the client along with a dossier of supporting evidence which was submitted to the CPS to consider when making a charging decision on this matter. It was confirmed that “no further action” would be taken against him. Our representations set out the defence case at the earliest opportunity, whilst highlighting the inconsistencies with the complainant’s account and issues with credibility, this meant that the matter concluded at an early stage with our client avoiding being charged and facing the prospect of a trial.