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22 � THE VOICE MAY 24 - 30, 2012

Hackney Supplement sponsored by

By: Elizabeth Pears

SET IN their comfort-able offices overlook-ing Canary Wharf, BGLawyers LLP is one of

the UK’s leading practices spe-cialising in family law.

The black-owned firm pridesitself on efficiency, offers goodvalue for money and years oflegal experience dealing withsensitive issues like domesticviolence, divorce and custodyof children.

In addition, the diverse teamof practitioners bring a culturalawareness to all its clients inter-nationally and across the UKthat may not necessarily befound at other firms.

BG Lawyers was founded byGuyanese-born Bibi Gadwah in1990.

The principal solicitor – whoin addition to being qualifiedsolicitor also has a diplomafrom the University ofCambridge in notarial practice –was frustrated that despite herexemplary record, she felt herpotential was being curbed bythe glass ceiling.

“At the time there weren’tmany female BME solicitors inthe profession. I felt I wasn’tgetting the opportunities Ideserved when I knew I wascapable of so much more. I feltstifled and wanted to go outthere and take on new and big-ger challenges. I like those”,Gadwah explained.

Her gut feeling proved rightand in the years that followed,she has helped the firm developinto a successful and well-respected firm.

At a recent inspection con-ducted by the Law Society, thepractice was praised for deliver-

ing excellent training ensuringits staff are up-to-date with lat-est legal developments.

BG Lawyers has also spentthe past year investing heavilyin technology includingsophisticated legal softwareallowing the firm to securely

store and collate data on itsown system.

It helps to ensure the team’sstrong emphasis on efficiencyand can already boast beingone of few solicitors who havethe ability to successfully applyfor injunctions within a 24-

hour period. Injunctions, which are a civil

rather than a criminal matter, arenormally granted in situationswhere someone is in danger or atrisk of domestic violence

Gadwah said: “We have theunique ability to get clients

into court within 24 hours –that’s a service offered by fewsolicitors.

“Domestic abuse is one ofstrongest areas, but we alsohave an excellent record withdivorce, contact/residenceorders and child abuse caseswhich our senior solicitorMaria Dennis deals with. Itrequires a lot of experience andknowledge of the system whichwe have whether that is actingon behalf of local authorities orthe parent themselves.”

The firm also takes cases onmatters including employment,personal injury claims, con-veyancing and, in the future, isconsidering expansion into theminefield that is immigrationlaw.

Probably the biggest string tothe firm’s bow is its contractwith the legal services commis-sion – formerly the legal aidboard – which it has held forthe past 12 years.

“These contracts are highlycoveted and very difficult towin”, explained Gadwah.

“Last year, we all had torebid for contracts. Due toGovernment cuts, quite a fewfirms lost out and we didn’t.You really have to offer some-thing extra-special in order togain a specialist quality markand we are constantly auditedso you always have to be ontop of your game. I have to say,however, that our team here isexcellent – absolutely superb.”

One of the firm’s most recentareas of expansion is itsnotarial arm – the LondonNotary – led by junior part-ner Michael Alexander-Gordon.

In the UK, there areapproximately 1,000 publicnotaries who perform servicesfor business and individualclients. A notary public islegally-appointed public offi-cer constituted to serve innon-contentious matters con-cerning estates, deeds, or for-eign international business.

It is particularly useful forthose who want to manageoverseas affairs such as pur-chasing land or a home inthe Caribbean.

BG Lawyers offers carriesout notarial certification for:powers of attorney world-wide, bank instruction letter,

international affidavits, prop-erty documents, lost pass-ports, marriage certificates,tax declarations or retirementlife certificates – to name buta few.

Alexander-Gordon, whohas been in the business formore than ten years, said: “Itis a very valuable service. Welook at documents to see ifthey are signed properly,other checks to verify docu-ments to attest their authen-ticity.

“We know some notaries

are extremely costly and wecome in at lower cost but thesame standards. A largegroup came back to us withan emergency, and theywanted it done pretty muchimmediately and it was donewell in time. The speed of ourservice is unrivalled.

“Some people think anotary is just a seal, but thereis a lot more to it than that.We would like people to knowhow easily accessible we are,considering there is not manyof us around.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUTBG LAWYERS LLP VISIT

Email: info@bg-lawyers.co.uk Website: www.bg-lawyers.co.uk

Telephone: 0207 531 7420VALUABLE: Michael Alexander-Gordon is a junior partner at the London Notary

BLACK LAW FIRM ONTOP OF ITS GAME

MOTIVATED: Principal solicitor Bibi Gadwah set up BG Lawyers LLP in 1990 and has helped transform the firm into a well-respectedspecialist in family law

London Notary

Hip Hop royalty likeJay-Z and Rihannaare gearing up torun London town at

BBC Radio 1’s HackneyWeekend on Saturday along-side the east London’s bor-ough homegrown artists likeLeona Lewis and Labrinth.

We profile some ofHackney’s biggest exports whohelp prove that despite hailingfrom one of London’s smallestboroughs good things do comein tiny packages.

FREEMA AGYEMAN

The 33-year-old Dr Whoactress who grew up onHackney’s Woodberry DownEstate, is currently shootingscenes for Sex and the Cityspin-off the Carrie Diaries. Inan interview with theIndependent, the former OurLady’s Convent schoolgirlsaid: “When I first came intothe spotlight, a lot of dodgystuff was written about it inthe papers. I felt really defen-sive. I had a brilliant timethere.”

LEONA LEWIS

Singer Leona Lewis is anout-and-proud Hackney girlwho is happy to call StamfordHill home. The 27-year-oldshot to fame on ITV’s X Factorwhere she won over the nation– and the competition – withher incredible vocal ability.Since then, she has receivedthree Grammy nominationsand sold millions of recordsworldwide. The Sunday Timesrecently named her one of thesecond richest young musi-cians in the UK with a fortuneestimated at £12million.Naturally, she’ll be performingat BBC Radio 1’s HackneyWeekend this summer.

ADAM DEACON

Aged 29, the actor anddirector has already earnedhimself a BAFTA Rising StarAward for his work onAnuvahood. Deacon – who hasa ten-year acting career underhis belt including roles in NoelClarke’s Kidulthood – is fromStoke Newington. The Prince’sTrust Ambassador, who stilllives on a council estate, saidof his prize: “It’s not just a winfor me – it’s a win for theunderdog.”

TREVOR NELSON MBE

This Hackney boy is thecrème da la crème of the UK’surban music scene. The 48-year-old was the son of strictSt Lucian parents who wereamong the first group of WestIndian migrants to own theirhome. Nelson’s passion for hiscraft helped him come out ofhis shell as a teenager and heldDJ roles on Kiss FM, BBCRadio, and hosted MTV’s TheLick earning him a string ofawards for his achievements.

DIANE ABBOTT

The formidable Labourpolitician became the firstblack woman to be elected tothe House of Commons in thesame year as the rest of the“Class of 1987” alongside for-mer MP Paul Boateng, whowas born in Hackney, KeithVaz and Bernie Grant. TheCambridge history graduate

has represented HackneyNorth and Stoke Newingtonsince 1987. The former jour-nalist, who used to have a reg-ular slot on This Week, is nowthe shadow minister for health.

PHILLIPS IDOWU MBE

One of Great Britain’s bestathletes, Idowu has wonmedals at the Olympics, theWorld Championships and theCommonwealth Games in thetriple jump. Born to Nigerianparents, the 33-year-old grewup on the De Beauvoir Estateand the primary school of thesame name. He is currentlytraining for London 2012where he hopes to add anothergong to his collection on eastLondon turf.

IDRIS ELBA

Before moving to CanningTown, the Wire actor spent thefirst eleven years of his lifegrowing up on the old HollyStreet estate and went toQueensbridge Primary School.After winning the title role ofthe BBC’s Luther – whichearned him a Golden Globe –he returned to Hackney wherethe show is filmed going overhis old stomping grounds likeDalston and London Fields.This summer, the 39-year-oldwill appear on British screensin Hollywood blockbusterPrometheus alongside MichaelFassbender and Guy Pearce.

KOJO

The award-winning come-dian turned Choice FM radioDJ has made no secret of hislove for his for his roots hav-ing dubbed himself the Fresh

Prince of Hackney. Over a suc-cessful ten-year career, KojoAkoto-Amin has presentedCBBC’s The Mighty Truck ofStuff alongside fellowGhanaian presenter ReggieYates, Kojo’s Comedy FunHouse on MTV Base and isnow a permanent fixture onChoice FM’s flasghip breakfastshow to rave reviews.

LABRINTH

The 23-year-old singer/songwriter and producer is oneof the UK’s freshest talents.Schooled in Stoke Newington,the seventh of nine childrennow has his own studio inHaringey as well as his ownrestaurant in Wood Green’sChocolate Factory. Labrinth,real name Timothy McKenzie,is signed to Simon Cowell’srecord label and became themogul’s first non-reality TVact. He co-wrote and producedTinie Tempah’s number one hitsingle Pass Out. He will also beperforming at the HackneyWeekender.

ARINZE KENE

Arinze Kene may be bestknown for his role as ConnorStanley in Eastenders, but thestage and television actor haswon more acclaim for hisplaywriting skills. In 2011, hisdebut Estate Walls won him anOff West End Award for mostpromising playwright. He hasalso produced plays includingLittle Baby Jesus andSuffocation. Currently, he is amember of the Soho Theatre’sYoung Writers Group as wellas on the writing team forEastenders spin-off E20. TheNigerian-born talent who grewup in Hackney wrote the scriptfor Seekers – a thriller set inthe world of London’s illegalimmigrant underclass.

MAY 24 - 30, 2012 THE VOICE � 23

Hackney’s hot talentSponsored Hackney Supplement

THIS SUMMER HoxtonHall will be unveiledas the second YoungHackney Centre to

open in the borough as partof Hackney Council’s £5minvestment in youth facilities.

The Myplace scheme is runin partnership with the coun-cil’s Young Hackney serviceand the centre will becomepart of a new group of fiveyouth hubs located acrossHackney, offering activitiesand support for young peopleacross greater London.

To achieve its status as aYoung Hackney Centre,Hoxton Hall has entered into athree-phase capital project torestore, preserve and protectthe hall, with the currentrefurbishments forming phaseone.

The Grade II-listed building

dates back to 1863 and is oneof few surviving Victorianmusic halls in the UK.

The planned second phasewill see the restoration andrepair of the music hallitself and an initialdevelopment granthas already beensecured from theHeritage LotteryFund.

As an arts cen-tre, the hallalready hosts anextensive and variedprogramme of theatre,music and arts with memo-rable performances fromcomedian Dave Gorman,songstress Anna Calvi and thewonderful Rainbow TheatreCompany to name but a few.

Forthcoming events includethis summer’s 5th

International London CircusFestival taking place fromJune 29 and our regular musicshowcase extravaganza NoSitting on July 12.

With an established repu-tation of inspiring

young peoplethrough creativeactivity, the halllooks forward to abright futureworking with

more young peoplewithin the borough

and beyond. As a Young Hackney

Centre, Hoxton Hall will be ayouth centre with a difference.It will open up Hoxton Hall’ssuccessful youth arts pro-gramme to new young peoplethrough links with the fourother Young Hackney Centres:Forest Road in Dalston, the

Concorde Centre in Homerton,Young Hackney StokeNewington, and WoodberryDown in Stamford Hill.

With innovative youth artsprojects already developed atHoxton Hall being recreated inthe four neighbourhood cen-tres; and in return drama,dance and music groups fromacross Hackney will have achance to showcase their workin a world-class performancespace.

An important part of therefurbishment work has

focused on improving access tothe building, making it easierfor young people with disabili-ties to take part in arts projects.The installation of a lift along-side accessible toilets are someof the measures that have beentaken to improve accessibility.

Through the Young Hackneyservice, young people will besupported in their transition toadulthood – with the availabil-ity of information, advice andguidance around educationand employment, sexualhealth, housing and finance.

24 � THE VOICE MAY 24 - 30, 2012

Martha’s mother left her at the hospital after giving birth, we are aware that there was no ante natal

care and mother has a background of substance abuse.

After her birth Martha was in the special care baby care unit, she was discharged from there on the 13th September 2010 and has lived with her carer since.

Martha is a sociable child, she eats and sleeps well and making positive attachments to her carer, she is adored by her everyone in the house hold and those who meet her.

Martha needs a carer or carers that can take a degree of uncertainty, an adoption allowance may be payable.

Birth mother is of African Caribbean descent birth father unknown.Letter box contact with siblings.

MARTHA DOB

11.06.2010

Martha was born prematurely at 24 weeks. To date

Martha has no health needs, and she appears to be thriving and

gaining weight. Though her development is delayed, it is within

the range of her prematurity, this will be continually monitored until she is at least

the age of two years.

Yvonne Palmer, Adoption Team, 35 Wellington Street, Powis Street, London SE18 6HQ. Contact: 0208 9212753 E-Mail: Yvonne.palmer@greenwich.gov.uk

DOING IT FORTHE KIDS

Hackney Supplement sponsored by

Hackney opens its secondyouth facility this summer

For more informationplease visit www.hoxton-hall.co.uk or follow us on

twitter @hoxtonhall

For more informationplease visit www.hoxton-hall.co.uk or follow us on

twitter @hoxtonhall

LET’S DANCE: Young people performing in a taste of things to come at Hoxton Hall

MAY 24 - 30, 2012 THE VOICE � 25

By: Juliana Lucas

Gina Jean-Charles’ liferevolves around her13-month-old sonwho she provides for

by herself in her Hackneyhome.

Like many other people inher age bracket, the 25-year-oldsingle mother would like towork but is unable to find a jobthat covers basic living costs.

She is struggling to come toterms with the news that the UKeconomy has slid back intorecession.

Jean-Charles blamed thecoalition’s hardcore austeritymeasures.

“The government is toointent on cutting on things.They are making cuts to bene-fits, and yet they are also mak-ing cuts that lead to job losses”,the former receptionist andadministration assistant said.

According to recent statistics,unemployment has edged up to8.4 percent nationally – thehighest over the past 16 yearswith up to 1.6 million seekingJobseeker’s Allowance.

The young mum added: “TheGovernment is capping housing

benefits. People are losing theirjobs and there is no support forthem. To me, it seems as thoughyou can not win.”

Jean-Charles said she had tochoice but to quit her jobbecause she was not entitled tochild care support while she

worked, yet did not earn enoughto pay the fees from her wages.

“In the end I had to go onbenefits in order to make endsmeet while I look for anotherjob when I had one in the firstplace. It doesn’t make anysense.”

Talk of the Town: Voice’s head of special projects Marc Wadsworth, centre, gets into aheated debate with columnist Nelson Abbey, right, at Hackney Picturehouse where The Voicehosted its most recent community conversation on Saturday, April 28. Reporters spent timetalking with local residents on pressing issues from immigration to how to increase yourchances of winning at an employment tribunal.

‘GOVERNMENT IS LETTINGDOWN SINGLE MUMS’

Sponsored Hackney Supplement

26 � THE VOICE MAY 24 - 30, 2012

By: Juliana Lucas

AMUM whose teenageson was found guiltyof murder could bedrafted in by London

mayor Boris Johnson to helptackle issues affecting youngblack Britons.

Social entrepreneurCharlotte Francis foundedRedevelopment Agency in2005 to help prisoners andtheir families better under-stand the law after her 14-year-old son was found guiltyof murder and handed a lifesentence.

Francis said: “During thattime, I decided to give up myjob as a qualified nurse andtook a part time job instead. Ithen dedicated my time to

helping improve the system inorder to reform him. I thenstarted to help other boys whodid not have anybody willingto support them.”

A report by the Equalityand Human RightsCommission entitled HowFair is Britain? revealsAfrican and Caribbean peopleliving in the UK make up 15per cent of the prison popula-tion in the UK.

This is an obvious problemwithin the black community,Francis said, which blackfamilies often need help indealing with.

She added: “Our organisa-tion gives important legalinformation to parents whofind themselves situationsthey may not be prepared for.For example, what to do if

your son gets arrested. Myagency directs you to the rel-evant people such as solici-tors or lawyers.”

Francis, who attended TheVoice’s community conversa-tion in Hackney earlier thismonth, is now set to join ateam of people working withLondon mayor Boris Johnsonto help regenerate Tottenhamfollowing last year’s riots.

She has been invited to joinin talks with Sir Peter Roger,the advisor for regeneration,growth and enterprise, withregard to setting up a taskforce to provide solutions toissues affecting the area’sblack community.

“Boris Johnson wants to setup a task force, starting inTottenham, and he wants meto get involved and integrate

my agency into that taskforce,” Francis said.

“It would be about trainingchildren from a very youngage, setting up programmesthat people themselves areinvolved with, that theythemselves would be a partof. It would be a progammethat would integrate blackpeople into other societieslike the directorship pro-gramme I have set up foryoung boys.”

She added: “Hopefully, bythe end of the year it shouldbe up and running.”

The RedevelopmentAgency’s directorship pro-gramme is for boys of agedaround 15-years-old who willbe given experience of life asa director by setting up theirown business.

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT: Social entrepreneur CharlotteFrancis provides support and advice to young people in theprison system

MUM’S MISSIONTO BRING PRISON REFORM TO UK

Hackney Supplement sponsored by

MAY 24 - 30, 2012 THE VOICE � 27

Fostering Fortnight 2012 - Change a child’s life foreverFoster carers look after other people’s children in their own home, either short or long term and your help can really make the difference to a child’s life. Fostering Fortnight runs from 14 – 27 May and this year’s campaign centres on the fact that a child comes into care and needs a foster family every 22 minutes across the UK with the Fostering Network estimating that 8,750 new foster families are needed in 2012 alone. These figures frighteningly show the need for new foster carers to help change the lives of local children.

There are many myths about foster carers such as they must be married or own a large house. Islington foster carers in fact come from many different cultures and backgrounds and may be couples or single people, with or without their own chil-dren living in owned or rented accommodation.

You don’t need qualifications but you do need to be good with children or young people, be able to keep them healthy and safe and to help them make good pro-gress at school. As well as the satisfaction of helping a child you will also receive generous financial allowances to help with their care and of course Islington foster carers get full training and 24-hour support.

Change a child’s life forever,foster with Islington

0800 073 0428fostering@islington.gov.ukwww.islington.gov.uk

Islington urgently needs foster carers to look after local children ofall ages. A child comes into care and needs a foster family every 22minutes across the UK and the Fostering Network estimates that 8,750new foster families are needed in 2012 alone. Could you help make adifference to one of these young lives by becoming a foster carer?

To find out more about why not come along to an information sessionwhere you can talk to Islington foster carers and really get a feelfor what fostering is all about.

Tuesday 29 May 6pm - 8pm

Islington Town Hall, Upper Street N1 2UD

If you can’t join us then please call about other upcoming dates.

To get the facts about fostering and find out about our next information sessions give us a call free on: 0800 073 0428. Alternatively visit: www.islington.gov.uk/fosteringor email us at:fostering@islington.gov.uk

Sponsored Hackney Supplement

Patrick Vernon is chiefexecutive of theAfiya Trust, a healthcharity addressing

the needs of BME communi-ties, has been a Labourcouncillor for Hackney’sQueensbridge ward for thepast six years and is anactive and proud resident.He has a passion for blackhistory, mentors young peo-ple and is a board member ofthe North London MuslimHousing Association.Reporter Elizabeth Pearsfinds out what makes himtick.

Well, Patrick, it sounds likeyou’re a very busy man.

Sometimes a bit too busy.

What made you want tobecome involved in localpolitics?

I have lived in Hackney formore than 20 years and dur-ing that time have volun-teered for community projectsand got involved in everyaspect of civic life. What wasmissing was being active inthe town hall. Councils areresponsible for a budget ofhalf a billion pounds to bespent on services from educa-

tion to taking out the binswhich impacts a lot of people.There are only a few blackMPs, and not a lot of blackpeople involved in local gov-ernment where you can makean impact on important deci-sions or when dealing withcase work.

Do you work closely withDiane Abbott, the MP forStoke Newington andHackney North?

It is funny because Dianeactually lives in my ward andis my constituent. We do workclosely together in my day jobat the Afiya Trust and her roleas the shadow secretary forpublic health. We often speakabout issues she later raises inparliament.

Hackney has undergoneserious changes. Has itbeen for the better?

We have long campaignedfor improvements to infra-structure like public transportwhich has been delivered tocoincide with the Olympics.There has been massiveregeneration and the intro-duction of new businessesmainly in the creative indus-

tries media. Housing haschanged a lot. There was atime when people wanted tomove out of Hackney insearch of less crimes and bet-ter schools and now peoplewant to move here. Crime isstill a problem in parts, butour schools are excellent.There has been a process ofgentrification. I feel lucky Iam still able to live here.Many people have beenforced further north toTottenham or Edmonton, oreastwards to Barking andDagenham because it’scheaper.

Is it fair to stay gentrifi-cation has pushed blackcommunities out ofHackney?

There is still a big commu-nity here. Some have leftHackney for personal reasonsbecause they want to livesomewhere more quiet or toraise a family. But in areaslike Hackney, Islington andLambeth, the proximity toleisure and arts venues hasmade the areas expensivewhen they used to be cheap.Hackney used to have thehighest number of artists

because there were so manyplaces to squat. It’s not likethat anymore. We are a bithipster. Even in my ward,Broadway Market is a farmer’smarket and a small loaf ofbread costs £3. The black clubscene has changed. Clubs likeDougie’s, Nightmoves andChimes have virtually disap-peared which is quite sad. You

have a whole generation whostill want to rave, but have togo elsewhere now.

What do you like aboutHackney?

I was doing a history projectat Hackney archives called MyHaggerston there was 15 peo-ple and there was a real mix-ture. People are attracted to

Hackney for its cultural diver-sity. The food tells the history:you can find Caribbean,Vietnames, Chinese, Turkish,Nigerian and even pie and eelshops. Hackney sometimesgets a bad press it doesn’tdeserve – there is a real com-munity spirit here, a vibrancy,and people have respect foreach other and their heritage.

MODEL CITIZEN: Elizabeth Pears interviews Hackney councillor Patrick Vernon on gettinginvolved in your community

LABOUR OF LOVE

Telephone: 0207 531 7420

Facsimile: 0207 093 4903 DX 42652 Isle of Dogs

Email: info@bg-lawyers.co.uk

Web: www.bg-lawyers.co.uk

SPECIALIST FAMILY LAWYERS

BG – Lawyers LLP can help you with the following areas of law:

Contact us for help and advice on all areas of family law3rd Floor, Cumbrian House, Meridian Gate, 217 Marsh WallCanary WharfLondon E14 9PG

Children’s Law Specialist Handling residence, contact/access, prohibited steps & specifi c issue orders.

Domestic Abuse Protection for you and your children with occupational & non-molestation orders.

Public Law Care proceedings, special guardianship orders & adoption advice.

Divorce Help with divorce matters including petition, arrangement for children fi nance.

Matrimonial Finance Covering co-habitation, property disputes, living together agreements & mediation.

Employment Law Help and advice for both employers and employees in all areas of employment law.

Personal Injury Advice on all aspect of personal injury claims, whether sustained in the work place, on the road or on holiday.

Notary Public Legalisation of documents for individuals and businesses.

www.bg-lawyers.co.uk

Please call in confi dence for professional legal advice

0207 531 7420