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. 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.
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.
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.”
November 14, 2024
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This week is Celebrate Neurodiversity Week, and we’re delighted to have our first Guest article, f
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But what is family mediation? Put simply, it’s a way of resolving disputes which have arisen
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By Karen Newman and Ruth Hawkins Family Mediation week is taking place from 22nd to 26th January 202
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Boardman Hawkins & Osborne have decided to provide our clients, prospective clients, and anyone
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When we formed this firm just over two years ago, whilst we set out to establish a modern, innovativ
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Irena and I are delighted to have contributed to this new book, a supplement to last year’s 101 qu
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5th to 11th October is Kinship Care week. At BH&O, we know what a great job many grandpare
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Last night BH&O sponsored the launch of a new play written by local play-write Gaye Poole, Happy
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When Emily, Irena and I started planning this firm, we wanted to create a modern thinking innovative
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Boardman Hawkins & Osborne are delighted to be taking part in this year’s Great Legal Bake Off
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Ruth Hawkins has contributed to this New Book 101 Questions Answered About Separating with
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It’s that time of year when families come together, and grandparents and aunts and uncles get to s
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We’ve now been open for three months. It’s been a very busy period, which Emily has already writ
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By Ruth Hawkins A report published this week by the Children’s Commissioner for England, sugge
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By Ruth Hawkins As has been reported in the media, the Prime Minister, Theresa May, has announced th
Read More >>© BH&O LLP 2018–2025
Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP (registered in England and Wales OC401342) trading as BH&O LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (number 647667). Our registered office is 1-3 Ock Street, Abingdon OX14 5AL. The term ‘partner’ is used to refer to a member of the partnership. Our partners are Emily Boardman, Ruth Hawkins and Irena Skapin Osborne.
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