Mrs Samantha Phumaphi LLB(Hons), LLM General Information Samantha is an experienced practitioner with a wide variety of experience both in the UK and South Africa. She is a barrister, mediator and arbitrator with over 15 years of experience. Her current practice focuses on family and civil law. She is said to have a practical and proactive approach to the issues and is able to explain simply the legal complexities of litigation. Having started her practice in criminal law, Samantha is a fierce advocate and has effective cross-examination skills to assist when it comes to defending her client’s positions. Samantha is an internationally accredited mediator and is CMC registered. She has vast experience and has mediated in multiple jurisdictions with a particular focus on commercial and workplace disputes. Areas of law Family Law: Child Arrangements Family Law: Matrimonial Finance & Cohabitation Claims Civil Law Family Law: Child Arrangements Residence orders Contact issues Parental responsibility Allegations of domestic and substance abuse Specific issues and prohibited steps, including abduction Samantha has extensive experience in child arrangements, including care proceedings, in particular contact and residence, as well as ancillary relief. She has also assisted her clients to deal with matters involving foreign elements. She has extensive experience in matters that involve domestic and substance abuse and is frequently instructed to represent clients in fact-finding and final hearings. Family Law: Matrimonial Finance & Cohabitation Claims Property claims, property sale and division of equity TOLATA claims for unmarried couples Maintenance, including applications to vary or enforce Pensions, including ring-fencing issues Representation at First Appointments, FDR and Final Hearings Applications to vary or enforce Civil Law Landlord & Tenant Road traffic accidents Personal injury Court of Protection contract Debt recovery Sale of goods disputes Employment law Samantha has substantial experience in civil law practice, from regularly advising and representing clients in various county courts and tribunals up to the High Court. She is often instructed in drafting work, preparing applications, draft orders, witness statements and skeleton arguments. Whilst in South Africa, Samantha developed her practice and gained experience in representing clients in matters of unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, discrimination and wage claims. Much of her focus has been on employment law as she chairs disciplinary hearings, mediates and facilitates disputes. Samantha is able to use these skills and apply her knowledge and insight to effectively represent her clients. Education Master’s in Commercial Law, University of Cape Town