Alongside my London based work, I was invited to join one of the top Australian family law firms to help them for 12 – 24 months. So in July 2003 I moved to Sydney where within 6 weeks, I qualified as an Australian solicitor, barrister and mediator and I worked for one of Sydney’s top international family law practices, also continuing with my English work. I stayed in Sydney for two years and had one of the most wonderful times of my life.
I loved the climate, the people, the approach to life, the outdoor living, the sports especially scuba diving, sailing (which I learned in the Harbour, an idyllic place to learn) and bush walking, and I made some fantastic friends. I attended an incredibly supportive and friendly church in the eastern suburbs. I travelled a lot around Australia and New Zealand and I got involved in a number of aspects of Sydney community life. I learned a great deal from working in family law in Sydney, although it was much more American combative than practice in England. It was right to come back home when I did. However I miss hugely my life in Sydney and my friends there, and I remember my time there with much fondness.
Whilst I was away, I continued to be involved in my English cases and clients, working remotely alongside my team in London. I kept in touch with developments in English family law and twice returned to sit at court as a judge.