an image of Cathy Achilles, a Butcher & Barlow LLP employee

Cathy Achilles

Associate (FCILEx)

Contact Cathy

I am a Chartered Legal Executive based at the Firm’s Runcorn office.  I qualified as a Member of The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in 1998 and thereafter as a Fellow in 2001.  I also achieved accreditation to the Law Society Family Law Scheme on 1st October 2011.

I have worked in the legal profession in Runcorn for over 30 years joining Butcher & Barlow in 2004.

I specialise in Family Law and my day-to-day workload covers a wide variety of family law matters including:

  • Pre Proceeding with Social Services;
  • Care Proceedings;
  • Children Act matters;
  • Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders;
  • Divorce and Financial matters;
  • Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements;
  • Cohabitation Disputes/Agreements;
  • Separation Agreements
  • Parental Responsibility;
  • Removal from Jurisdiction; and
  • Change of Name.

I also attend a free clinic providing advice and assistance to victims of domestic violence at a local refuge. I am regularly then instructed by them to apply for Non-Molestation Orders and/or Occupation Orders, quite often there will be other family applications listed at the same time, for example, a Child Arrangements Order which can include where a child will live, who they shall spend time with and a Prohibited Steps Order.

I act for clients on a fee-paying basis or a legally aided basis. Legal Aid is still available for Care Proceedings and Domestic Violence, in some cases it is available for the above-mentioned family matters depending upon income and certain other criteria being met, full details can be found on the Legal Aid Agency’s Website.  I offer a free 15-minute initial appointment to discuss costs and legal aid.

I am regularly instructed by parents or grandparents in cases involving long-standing misuse of drugs and alcohol, mental health problems and injuries to children requiring experts to be appointed.

I am recognised as a Leading Lawyer by Wiselaw.

Outside of work I have completed charity events RTN ride the night, cycling 50K from Windsor to London and Shine Walk, walking 26 miles through the streets of London to raise money for Women v Cancer.  Besides walking and cycling I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends travelling and socialising.

The Legal 500 Leading Individual 2024 Resolution Member logo The Law Society Accredited Family Law logo Wiselaw Leading Lawyer Cathy Achilles

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