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Layla joined Weightmans in March 2023 as an Associate solicitor and in-house Advocate based in the Manchester and Liverpool. Specialising in public law matters, Layla enjoys a broad practice representing professional clients within the Social Care and Governance team, as well as delivering an advocacy service across the wider Regulatory Department.

Layla represents Local Authorities, Healthcare Trusts, Police forces and other Public bodies dealing with all aspects of Child protection proceedings, Adult Social Care Court of Protection proceedings, SEN Education Tribunals and Police protection and disclosure orders.

Prior to joining Weightmans Layla attended the University of Hull to complete her LLB (Hons) obtaining the Blackstone Scholarship awarded to her by the Honourable Middle Temple to complete the Bar Vocational Course at City Law school London where she qualified as a Barrister in 2010. Layla completed her training contact in private practice alongside the Legal Practitioner Course cross qualifying as a solicitor.

Layla’s previous experience includes 4 years working within legal aid teams of rapidly growing, fast-paced child protection matters. Her experience representing both the Applicant and Respondents gives her a unique perspective into the legal challenges for the professional clients allowing her to deliver reasoned and practical legal advice to limit risks and save money.

As an experienced in-house advocate Layla is regularly instructed by professional clients to attend case management and final hearings with substantial experience in county and high court matters. Layla has vast experience of dealing with urgent application hearings and contested final hearings. She also offers an out of hours advocacy service to cater for clients during times of crisis.

Layla also accepts external ad hoc advocacy instructions including advisory work as well as the drafting of statements of case and applications.   

Layla can advise and act on a wide range of instructions including:

•    General advice
•    Legal planning meetings
•    Care planning
•    Advising local authority panels
•    Threshold
•    Pre-proceedings
•    Designation
•    Care proceedings
•    Emergency Protection Orders
•    Placement Orders and Revocation of Placement Orders
•    Secure accommodation
•    Deprivation of liberty
•    Court of Protection 
•    SEND Tribunals 
•    Private law matters
•    Adoption
•    Contact
•    Fostering
•    Domestic Violence Protection Orders 
•    Sexual Harm Protection Orders
•    Forced Marriage Protection Orders
•    Disclosure

Layla is developing her practice in education matters and has experience in advising schools in respect of SEND appeals and representing Local Authorities withing JADRs and Tribunal hearings. 

Layla’s approach to advocacy is considered and pragmatic. She has developed a reputation as a tenacious and compassionate advocate. Layla is professional, approachable and passionate in delivering the very best service to her clients. She establishes a solid working relationship with clients often going that extra mile to make sure the job is done.  

Outside of work, Layla enjoys travelling, cooking, live music, playing netball and raising money for charitable courses.