Ruth Hawkins
Ruth Hawkins is a founding partner of Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP.
Ruth qualified as a solicitor in 1997. She has been a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel since 2005, and her legal work involves specialising in childcare work and complex children cases.
Ruth also became a family mediator in 2012 and mediates in all areas of family disputes including children and financial disputes. This allows her to use her vast experience in childcare law and child development, in her mediation practice. She is now Accredited by the Law Society in family mediation and is a trained child inclusive mediator.
Ruth has undertaken the What about Henry Course on child development. https://www.onlymums.org/what-about-henry
In her Legal practice, Ruth specialises in acting for children, parents and family members, grandparents and aunts and uncles in court proceedings including care proceedings, children law disputes, adoption and wardship. Ruth is able to represent children and young people in court proceedings, either with their court appointed Guardians or separately represent them where appropriate.
As well as being a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel, Ruth is a member of the Association of Lawyers for Children and Resolution. Ruth is also a Family Law Panel member https://thefamilylawpanel.org/ through Only Mums/Only Dads and provides assistance through that scheme and is also a regular contributor to their publications.
Ruth leads the firm’s community and charity involvement, both locally and nationally. Ruth is a Trustee of Abingdon Carousel, the Children’s Centre in Abingdon, and is a passionate advocate for community services, especially for those more vulnerable members of the community.
She is rated in Chambers & Partners as a key individual.
“Ruth is an extremely calm and reasonable adviser who always gives sensible advice.”
“Ruth is my go-to for children work regarding guardians”
“Ruth is approachable, professional and knowledgeable.”
Legal 500 notes that “Ruth Hawkins goes to great lengths to meet the needs of clients in complex private law matters. She excels in seeing a case from the client’s point of view and accordingly goes the extra mile.”
Ruth prides herself in acting for her clients in a humane compassionate way, and is well regarded for her problem-solving approach. Both as a solicitor and mediator she is keen to look for solutions.
Ruth is especially keen to use her skills and experience to develop her mediation practice and help couples and parents to find better ways of resolving the issues that arise upon separation. She has a growing reputation for enabling couples she mediates with to think creatively about solutions, and focus especially on their children’s needs.
Ruth has undertaken the Only Mums & Dads What About Henry training, and also training in Neurodiversity and Neuro-divergency, Understanding Trauma, Talking and listening to children, and Engaging with Fathers.
Read what clients say:
This is the first time I’ve ever had to deal with solicitors and court but very quickly I became comfortable and felt like I was properly being heard and that is due to Ruth being very fair, understanding, hard working and going above and beyond to get the job done.
“Ruth Hawkins’ calm, considerate approach – always putting the children’s interests first – has helped me to navigate extremely complex circumstances in the best possible way.”
‘Ruth possesses a winning combination of fierce intelligence and great sensitivity which she applies to all her cases. She invests herself fully in her clients. They are lucky to have her on their side!’ (Barrister)
‘Ruth has extensive experience in children proceedings and her expertise is underpinned by an empathetic but realistic approach. Her cases are always extremely well prepared, and she is willing to go the extra mile for her clients. I have no hesitation in recommending her and do so frequently.’ (Barrister)
‘Ruth has represented me several times in the last 15 years; she is extremely professional and has always treated me with respect, understanding and compassion.’
“Ruth regularly gives me advice which is prompt, comprehensive and reliable in language which makes sense. Her advocacy in Court is skilled, authoritative and reassuring.”
“You’ve both been really helpful and supportive through all this, and it was a great relief to have somebody on my side. We’re hoping to put all this behind us as far as possible and concentrate on working with the new social worker. It will be a real relief to be able to get things back on track without court hanging over us.
Many thanks again for your work.” (SE – client)
“If you’re looking for a firm that’s ethical and dedicated to your case then look no further. BH&O gave me incredible support as I went through what 35 year tenure judge said was their most complex, and achieved success not just for me but for my children.” ON, June 2022
“The moment I made contact everyone has been so informative and helpful, Ruth has been amazing, always honest, changed things when needed with great support and expertise. Thank you Ruth and team.”
“I recently instructed Ruth Hawkins to represent two children within Public Law proceedings. Throughout the case Ruth provided very appropriate legal advice, which was proportionate and in the best interests of the children. She visited the children with me to meet them and to gain an understanding of their wishes and feelings, she met with the older child to consider if she was competent to instruct separately if necessary. Throughout the visits Ruth was kind, understanding and supportive of the children and I felt as if we were able to work as a team to ensure the best outcomes for them. The communication and updates from Ruth and her legal admin team were always prompt and relevant, I never had any issues being able to contact Ruth or someone from her team if I needed to.” LG, Children’s Guardian, May 2025
“My solicitor is Ruth Hawkins, a solicitor who has clearly demonstrated a wealth of knowledge, experience and care with honest advice and recommendations. Ruth and the team work above and beyond, making me feel that my case is the most important. I am always kept informed and I will always have someone reliable to reach out to in Ruth’s absence.
The team show exceptional collaboration within their own team and this can be extended through their ability to communicate accurately to other professionals involved in my case.
BH&O have a sense of calmness in their approach, despite some urgent situations they have been faced with. They clearly are very organised and timely.” NM, May 2025
I have recently had Ruth Hawkins helping me on a case with my children. She was excellent from start to finish. My case involved the local authority. Ruth was quick to be on their case whenever they slacked. Her assistant Sophie was also excellent, she kept me up to date on anything needed if Ruth was not around or in the office. I struggle to understand some things, Ruth and Sophie made sure things were simplified for me. I would highly recommend using BH&O. I am in fact using them again now for help… EL, client July 2025
I can honestly say, that despite not getting the results we wanted from the courts (which was expected to some extent due to the complex case) that Ruth was exceptionally professional, clearly has a wealth of knowledge and years of experience. Her communication and ability to be one step ahead are of great value. Ruth, without doubt, has a very caring nature. I always felt that my case was the most important. I would highly recommend Ruth without any hesitation. Natasha, December 2025
Thankyou so much for keeping us professionals up to date and checking in with the person you were supporting. Your calm and kind approach and timely responses made an incredibly difficult situation much easier to manage for us and more bearable for the person involved. Thankyou. Anon health professional, Dec 2025
Contact
Direct: 01235 425502
Reported cases and articles:
- K (Forced Marriage Protection Orders; Abuse of process) 2021] EWFC B94 (15 October 2021) https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/OJ/2021/B94.html
Ruth acted for the subject teenage girls with their court appointed Guardian, in an application brought by their paternal aunt, for a Forced Marriage Protection Order. The application did not succeed, and the Judge found that there was no evidence that the girls were at risk of forced marriage, and further found that the application was without merit. - Re M (Special Guardianship Order: Leave To Apply To Discharge) (Rev 1) [2021] EWCA Civ 442 (26 March 2021) www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2021/442.html
Ruth acted for the special guardians, the maternal grandparents, in this appeal brought by the child’s mother. The mother was appealing against an order to refuse permission to apply to discharge a Special Guardianship Order (SGO). The appeal was allowed, and permission was granted to the mother to make her application and also make her application for a child arrangements order. There are not many cases where the Court of Appeal or higher courts have considered the law in relation to SGOs. - Re A and B (No. 2)(SGO)(domestic abuse no direct contact to father) [2020] EWFC B15 (06 March 2020) www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/OJ/2020/B15.html
Ruth acted in long running proceedings for these children, via their court appointed Guardians. The initial case involved findings of serious domestic abuse by the father against the mother. Before the case could be concluded, the children’s mother committed suicide, and their future living arrangements needed to be decided against this background. The court decided to make SGOs in favour of the family friends that the mother and the children were living with, and made orders preventing the father from making further applications to the court as well as refusing contact between the father and the children - C (foster care or family placement) , Re [2023] EWFC 24 (B) Ruth acted for a Special Guardian in Care Proceedings, where the placement had broken down. Although the court declined to return the child to the SG’s care, the SGO was not revoked.
- M v F [2025] EWFC 364 (B) (27 October 2025) Factfinding hearing involving sexual abuse allegations. Private law children case.
Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne articles:
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We have recently seen a significant sea-change in family law with the changes in the Family Procedur
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March 22, 2024
This week is Celebrate Neurodiversity Week, and we’re delighted to have our first Guest article, f
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January 25, 2024
But what is family mediation? Put simply, it’s a way of resolving disputes which have arisen
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January 19, 2024
By Karen Newman and Ruth Hawkins Family Mediation week is taking place from 22nd to 26th January 202
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It is often frustrating that a domestic abuse victim makes the decision to leave an abusive relation
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August 07, 2023
Our clients can find dealing with their divorce, or trying to sort out their children’s arrangemen
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Don’t wait until school holiday are here before you think about your parenting arrangements and pl
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May 31, 2023
There has been a very welcome recent change in eligibility for Legal Aid for those involved in Speci
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May 31, 2023
Until recently, parents who could not reach agreement on their child or children’s arrangements, a
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November 02, 2022
Boardman Hawkins & Osborne LLP are delighted to have appointed Helen Bishop to head their matrim
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August 31, 2022
1st September marks our 4th Birthday. What have we achieved over those four years? When Emily, Irena
Read More >>World Mental Health Day
October 10, 2024
World Mental Health Day (10 Oct) is a day to talk about mental health and show everyone that mental
Read More >>What is a parenting plan agreement?
October 05, 2022
A parenting plan agreement, is a written agreement that is negotiated by parents after they separate
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July 29, 2021
If you are a parent thinking about divorce or separation, one of your biggest worries is likely to b
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June 07, 2021
Boardman Hawkins & Osborne have decided to provide our clients, prospective clients, and anyone
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March 10, 2021
Regardless of whether you are married, divorced, or separated, co-parenting is never easy when you a
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March 08, 2021
International women’s day this year must for many working women take on a greater significance? Mo
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December 18, 2020
The team at BH&O have been working harder than ever throughout this year but still had time to d
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June 13, 2023
When you separate, there are often a whole host of issues that you need to consider, and if possible
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October 10, 2025
At BH&O, we know what a great job many grandparents, aunts and uncles and relatives are doing in
Read More >>3 Ock Street; the home of BH&O
September 24, 2020
When we formed this firm just over two years ago, whilst we set out to establish a modern, innovativ
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July 14, 2020
Irena and I are delighted to have contributed to this new book, a supplement to last year’s 101 qu
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October 07, 2019
5th to 11th October is Kinship Care week. At BH&O, we know what a great job many grandpare
Read More >>BH&O supporting
Happy Even After: a play about domestic abuse
October 04, 2019
Last night BH&O sponsored the launch of a new play written by local play-write Gaye Poole, Happy
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September 17, 2019
When Emily, Irena and I started planning this firm, we wanted to create a modern thinking innovative
Read More >>Great Legal Bake Off
February 27, 2019
Boardman Hawkins & Osborne are delighted to be taking part in this year’s Great Legal Bake Off
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February 01, 2019
Ruth Hawkins has contributed to this New Book 101 Questions Answered About Separating with
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January 10, 2019
It’s that time of year when families come together, and grandparents and aunts and uncles get to s
Read More >>Paying it forward…. or giving back to clients and our community.
December 14, 2018
We’ve now been open for three months. It’s been a very busy period, which Emily has already writ
Read More >>A crying shame…?
October 25, 2018
By Ruth Hawkins A report published this week by the Children’s Commissioner for England, sugge
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October 25, 2018
By Ruth Hawkins As has been reported in the media, the Prime Minister, Theresa May, has announced th
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