Non-Accidental Injuries
The team at Wollens Solicitors, led by experienced specialist Rachel Carter, is dedicated to defending parents or carers in care proceedings who have been accused of harming their child. Allegations…
View ExpertiseRachel Carter and her team at Wollens specialise in representing parents and carers in complex care proceedings involving accusations of physical abuse, such as shaken baby syndrome, fractures, bruises, and fabricated illness. Rachel is a member of the Law Society’s specialist Children’s Panel. We work with clients all over the country (from Cornwall to Newcastle) and represent people in all courts including the County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Most of our work is legally aided (parents within care proceedings are automatically entitled to full legal aid). We deal with a lot of cases where parents transfer their legal aid part way through a case.
Parents often struggle to find clear and reliable information about allegations of physical abuse, care proceedings, and selecting a qualified solicitor. Find out more on our specialist Non-Accidental Injury website – Parents Accused.
The Wollens team offers expert advice and representation, as well as resources on related injuries, potential causes, and legal processes. For support, contact Rachel Carter and her team today.
Get in Touch
Get in touch with our team of Non-Accidental Injury experts today to discuss your requirements. You can contact us via email Email or telephone us 01803 213251
The Parents Accused Team is headed up by
Rachel Carter
Partner
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Testimonials
They have an incredible win ratio. Nothing is too much. They are relentlessly efficient on the ball and up to date.
Rachel Carter is a true specialist in her field. She deals with the most serious and difficult cases around. She has amazing knowledge of this field of law and is tenacious in her pursuit of justice. The quality of her instructions, her communication skills, and her rapport with clients is second to none.
Rachel Carter and Victoria Harle are leaders in their field, providing a no-nonsense, understandable, straightforward way of providing support and ensuring that their clients understand the process throughout.
The team has a national reputation for representing parents and other individuals in complex care proceedings where there are allegations of injuries being caused to children. They have a wealth of specialist knowledge in this difficult area of law, ensuring quality advice and representation, and are also friendly and approachable providing support to their client’s throughout the difficult court process.
Rachel Carter and Victoria Harle are excellent. They know how this works. They are efficient, professional, understanding and absolutely committed to achieving justice.
Rachel Carter has a national reputation for representing parents who have been accused of causing injury to their children. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience coupled with incredibly expertise in this field. She works closely with other members of her team to ensure her clients are always afforded with the very best representation available.
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FAQ’s
What is Non‑Accidental Injury (NAI)?
Non-Accidental Injury (NAI) is a term used to describe allegations of physical abuse/inflicted injuries in babies and infants, such as fractures, bruises and head injuries. Wollens represents parents accused of such injuries in care proceedings.
Who does Wollens represent in NAI cases?
Wollens’ NAI team specialises in representing parents and carers accused of physical harm to a child within care proceedings or pre-proceedings.
What kinds of allegations fall under NAI?
Allegations may include shaken baby syndrome/bleeding in the brain, skull fractures, long bone or rib fractures, bruising or burns. Essentially any physical injury to a child that medical professionals or children’s services do not think has been properly explained.
What about allegations of poisoning or fabricated illness?
The team also has a great deal of experience in representing parents accused of Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII, previously known as Munchausen’s Syndrome by proxy). This can include allegations that a parent has poisoned a child or somehow induced illness in them as well as allegations that they have fabricated or exaggerated symptoms of illness.
In which courts can Wollens represent clients?
They operate across all levels: The Family Court (including the County Court and High Court), Court of Appeal, and even the Supreme Court.
Is legal aid available for NAI cases?
Yes — many NAI cases fall under care proceedings, in which parents are automatically entitled to full legal aid. Wollens also regularly handles situations where legal aid is transferred from another firm in the middle of a case (usually where a parent is not happy with their existing representation).
How long has Wollens been dealing with NAI cases?
The NAI team has a track record spanning over 18 years, handling cases involving medical and legal complexities across England and Wales. You can see some of their case history on the website.
How does Wollens approach medical evidence in NAI cases?
They work with expert medical professionals and experienced barristers around the country to challenge or explain injuries, consider alternative medical explanations, and counter assertions that injuries are non-accidental.
What challenges do parents face when accused of NAI?
Parents often struggle with limited guidance, conflicting medical opinions, legal complexity, emotional stress, and the need for immediate but experienced representation. Wollens aims to clarify the process and provide support.
Can Wollens represent clients nationwide?
Yes — although based in Devon, the NAI team has always represented clients nationally, from Cornwall to Newcastle and Wales to Kent, handling cases in all parts of England and Wales.
How can I get in touch with the NAI team at Wollens?
You can contact the team via telephone at 01803 213 251 or by email through their Non‑Accidental Injury page to arrange a confidential discussion.
