Children Law Specialists – Supporting You and Your Family

Bilingual solicitors. Legal Aid available. SRA registered.

Call now for expert legal advice.

0161 620 8888

The Law Society Children Law Accredited

Specialist Quality Mark Certified Solicitors

The Law Society Family Law Advanced Accredited

Your Trusted Solicitors

Zacharia Solicitors Ltd, established in 2006, is a community-based practice specialising exclusively in Children Law and family-related matters.

We hold a contract with the Legal Aid Agency, enabling us to represent clients in children's law proceedings where Legal Aid is available. If you believe you may be eligible for Legal Aid, please contact us as soon as possible and we will carry out an urgent assessment.

For clients who are not eligible for Legal Aid, we offer representation on a private paying basis and frequently provide fixed-fee arrangements. We are committed to ensuring that our fees are reasonable, transparent, and clearly explained at every stage of your case.

We understand that when legal issues affect your family, it can be a frightening, confusing, and overwhelming time. Our experienced team provides clear advice, practical support, and straightforward explanations throughout the process. We listen carefully to your concerns and use our knowledge and expertise to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your children.

0161 620 8888

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What We Offer

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Public Law

Helping clients navigate care proceedings, emergency orders, and placement applications with expertise.

Public Law Support

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Private Law

Guiding families through child arrangements, parental responsibility, and guardianship with clarity and care.

Private Law Support

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Domestic Abuse

Providing urgent legal assistance for protective injunctions and safeguarding your rights.

Domestic Legal Aid

Why Choose Us?

Emergency Legal Services: Available 24/7 to address urgent situations promptly.
Bi-Lingual Team: Fluent in multiple languages, ensuring clear communication for all clients.
Accredited Expertise: Recognised by the Law Society and Specialist Quality Mark certified.
Community-Focused: Specialising in children and family law to support local families.
Legal Aid Available: Making expert legal support accessible to those who need it most.

Enquire Now

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Professional Resolution & Accreditations

Solicitors Regulation Authority
Specialist Quality Mark
The Law Society Children Law
The Law Society Family Law Advanced
Resolution

Accredited Children Law accreditation badge, light blue color

Accredited Family Law Advanced accreditation badge, dark green in color

Contracted with the Legal Aid Agency accreditation badge

Badge stating that Zachariah Solicitors are regulated y the Solicitors Regulation Authority

Meet Our Team of Experts

Director of Zachariah Solicitors - Accredited Children Law Solicitor

Zaffar Iqbal

Director - Accredited Children Law Solicitor

Zaffar Iqbal qualified as a solicitor in 1999 and has been a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel for over a decade. He founded Zacharia & Co. Solicitors in 2006 as a community-based practice specialising in children's law and now heads the firm's family law department. He is bilingual in Urdu and Punjabi. Zaffar is a highly experienced children's law specialist with particular expertise in complex and high-risk matters, including public law care proceedings and private law disputes. He regularly appears in cases involving serious allegations of physical abuse, honor-based violence, suspected female genital mutilation, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, sex trafficking, and modern slavery. He also has substantial experience in cases involving non-accidental injury, including brain injuries, suspected shaken baby cases, and child death matters. Zaffar frequently handles cases with international elements in the High Court and is well known for his ability to manage complex legal and factual issues effectively. He is recognised for his strong technical knowledge, strategic insight, and calm, measured approach to highly sensitive proceedings.

Ewa Bridgewood

Accredited Family Law Advanced Solicitor

Ewa Bridgewood qualified as a solicitor in 2007 and is a member of the Law Society’s Family Law Advanced Accreditation Scheme as an adult representative. She has experience of a wide range of issues in the area of family law and is focused specifically on representing parents and family members within public law proceedings since joining the firm ten years ago. She also advocates for her clients' interests during pre-proceedings. She has also represented clients in relation to private law proceedings involving decisions as to where the child/children should live and what time they spend with the opponent party. A lot of her cases are complicated in nature, including serious allegations of abuse, substantial and sometimes multiple injuries to children and cases that require a finding of fact element involving evidence being heard over many days. The High Court has heard some of her cases, which involve an international element.

Kassim Ahmad

Accredited Family Law Advanced Solicitor

I am a solicitor and a member of the Law Society's Family Law Advanced Accreditation scheme. I have been a solicitor for over 20 years and have practised in family law throughout this time. My main areas of work are in all aspects of children's law and domestic abuse, including honour-based violence and forced marriage protection orders. I represent and advise parents and other family members in care proceedings brought by the local authority from the initial pre-proceedings process (PLO - Public Law Outline) all the way through court proceedings before the Family Court. I provide clients with realistic and sound advice in a supportive and approachable manner to give the best chance of getting families back together. I act in private law children matters when couples separate, in relation to where the children live (residence) and what time they spend with (contact) the other parent. I act for clients who are victims of domestic abuse in applying for injunctions (non-molestation orders) against their partners or ex-partners and for those who have had an application for a non-molestation order or forced marriage protection order made against them. I have a sensitive and supportive approach and build a strong rapport with my clients. I am based at our Cheetham Hill, Manchester, office.

Aminah Zaffar

Solicitor

Aminah completed her law degree at the University of Manchester and has since qualified as a solicitor in 2021.

She represents parents in private law children’s proceedings, advising on the best way to achieve Child Arrangements Orders (live with/spend time with), as well as Specific Issue and Prohibited Steps Orders.

Where domestic abuse is a factor, Aminah makes urgent applications for Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders to protect her clients and their children and to ensure their safety.

Aminah also has experience in public law (care) proceedings involving Local Authorities. She acts for parents from the outset, providing advice during the pre-proceedings stage and attending PLO meetings, through to representing clients within care proceedings. She advises on the full range of care plans and available orders, including Special Guardianship Orders, Child Arrangements Orders, and Care Orders.

Friendly and approachable, Aminah is popular with parents of children who are involved with the Local Authority. She has quickly built up an excellent reputation and is a popular young solicitor in the Oldham area.

Aminah is bilingual in Urdu and Punjabi.

Legal Costs

We understand that one of the main concerns when instructing a Solicitor is often the cost. We offer a free no obligation initial appointment for up to 1 hour which can be arranged at your convenience and is completely confidential (we do not hold drop in clinics which can be very public). We will provide detailed advice and explore with you the many options available for resolution.

We are fair and transparent on costs and an estimate is provided at the initial meeting. A full, detailed and easily understandable breakdown of the work done accompanies every invoice sent to you. We are committed to providing a first class service tailored to your individual circumstances and needs. We are flexible and can accommodate out of hours appointments and telephone discussions where necessary.

family law...
I had contacted 2 well known solicitors in Oldham and was left chasing unanswered emails and calls trying to get someone to call me back and update me, I gave up eventually and asked around for recommendations, I was put in touch with Zaffar at Zacharia & Co, and the difference was amazing, Zaffar was extremely helpful and encouraging, really responsive to any calls and emails, he was honest with me about all the possible outcomes of the case making sure I was prepared for whatever happened. He completely understood my situation and was very professional, he arranged meetings in the office with me to prepare the work that needed to be done and he made sure I was prepared for my hearings in court. I cannot thank Zaffar and all the staff enough for all the help and support with my case, and all the hard work they have put in. I would highly recommend using Zaffar to anyone looking for a solicitor, a really nice down to earth guy, who gets the job done. Thanks Zaffar I could not have done it without you

- Zara Taylor

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0161 620 8888

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