Gemma Whitchurch, partner in the Family Law team of Birmingham and Solihull law firm Sydney Mitchell, has achieved The Higher Rights of Audience (HRA) Civil qualification, and is now able to represent clients in the higher courts including the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court.
She becomes the first lawyer in Sydney Mitchell’s 260-year history to become a Solicitor-Advocate and joins a very small cohort of Higher Rights of Audience Civil qualified Solicitor-Advocates in the West Midlands, and just over 2,900* across the whole of England and Wales.
Specialising in family law for over 17 years, Gemma’s expertise spans a range of high net worth financial remedy cases following divorce and complex children law issues, including child arrangements and relocation cases. She is highly experienced in handling sensitive situations including those involving domestic abuse, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of clients and children.
Gemma says that one of the biggest benefits of achieving the qualification and now acting as a Solicitor-Advocate for clients, means sparing them prolonged and additional upset and heartache, particularly with cases involving domestic abuse and intricate arrangements for children:
“Not only does being able to undertake our own advocacy allow continuity of representation for clients within the court arena, but it also removes the need for clients to re-tell their often highly sensitive and complex personal stories, at what can be a really emotional, distressing and stressful time,
“Furthermore, for Sydney Mitchell to now have a partner who is a Solicitor-Advocate, the firm is truly differentiated from other law firms in the region and has a platform from which to further build the reputation of the Family Law team.
“This does feel like a huge personal and professional achievement,” she says. “I am really proud of myself for working hard to pass the qualifying exams and to complete and achieve something I have always wanted .”
The Higher Rights of Audience (HRA) Civil Qualification (HCAQ) is granted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and enables solicitors in England and Wales, and registered European lawyers (REL’s), to represent clients and conduct advocacy before the Senior Courts of England and Wales. The Solicitors’ Higher Rights of Audience Regulations 2010 came into effect on 1 April 2010, replacing the Higher Courts Qualification Regulations 2000, to give solicitors one route to qualification in either civil or criminal proceedings.
*Source: SRA: SRA | Regulated population statistics | Solicitors Regulation Authority. Actual figures for March 2026: Civil only – 2,971; Criminal only – 2,778; Both – 1,289; Total – 7,038.
Image caption: Gemma Whitchurch, Family Law partner at Sydney Mitchell, has achieved The Higher Rights of Audience (HRA) Civil qualification and will now represent clients in courts including the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court.
