Artis Kakonge

Background

Artis successfully completed pupillage under the supervision of Nadine Finch and Malek Wan Daud.

Prior to pupillage, Artis gained experience working in other jurisdictions. She worked as a law clerk at a busy family law firm in California dealing with ancillary relief, custody disputes, guardianship, move-away cases, restraining orders, and child abduction. She also was a legal assistant at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, carrying out legal research and advisory work on public international law, comparative criminal justice and gender-specific violence. In addition, Artis has carried out legal consultancy work, including for the Yale University School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, on the implementation of international treaties under domestic law, with particular emphasis on Liberia.

Practice

Family Law

Artis's practice covers a wide range of family law matters, both public and private. Her private children work includes contact and residence applications, fact-finding hearings and contested final hearings involving HIV and AIDS, immigration and mental health issues, or where there are allegations of abandonment, domestic violence or drug misuse. In public law care proceedings she represents local authorities, guardians and parents, particularly in cases of child neglect and emotional abuse. In addition, she regularly conducts applications for non-molestation orders, transfer of tenancy and occupation orders, including contested hearings and committal proceedings where there are serious allegations of domestic violence.

Artis believes in providing strong, compassionate and realistic representation that assists her clients to come to a resolution focused on the best interests of the child. She is sensitive to the crossovers between family, crime and immigration law due to her mixed pupillage in these areas.

Artis has particular familiarity with practices and clients from sub-Saharan Africa and the Diaspora, having grown up in East, West and Southern Africa and sharing the same ancestry as President Barack Obama. In addition, she is able to work with sensitivity and respect for diversity including gender, ethnic origin, religious beliefs and sexual orientation, having lived and worked in the international community prior to the Bar.

With her international experience, Artis is keen to develop a practice in child abduction, move-away cases, and eventually international adoption.

International Advice and Litigation

Artis's practice includes legal research and advisory work on international law, development policy and human rights with particular emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, she has done consultancy work and written research reports and papers for national and international organisations on topics such as criminal justice policy, elimination of discrimination against women, forestry law and intellectual property rights.

Professional Membership

• Family Law Bar Association
• Lincoln's Inn

Personal Interests and Hobbies

Artis is an enthusiastic tennis player, having played competitively at the international level as a junior, at university and at Premier League tennis. She has been a qualified tennis instructor for nine years, with extensive experience in coaching and mentoring young pupils from various backgrounds.

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