Gurpreet
Rheel
Barrister | Called 2009
Background
Gurpreet was called to the Bar in 2009 after achieving a “Very Competent” grade in her Bar Professional Training Course. Prior to that, Gurpreet read Law at the University of Birmingham, graduating with a second upper-class degree.
Before obtaining pupillage she lead a team of advisers comprising Solicitors, former teachers and Union Branch Managers at NASUWT providing advice and representation to teacher members in respect of Employment and Discrimination matters. She was also a County Court Advocate with Ashley Taylors Legal providing representation in a variety of matters including Landlord and Tenant disputes, forfeiture, mortgage repossession, infant settlements, insolvency, cost assessments, summary judgments and set asides as well as small claims RTA and credit hire matters.
Education
- University of Birmingham – LL.B (Hons)
- College of Law – Bar Vocational Course
Memberships
- The Honourable Society of Inner Temple
- Midland Circuit
- Family Law Bar Association
- West Midlands Family Law Bar Association
Awards
- Inner Temple Major Exhibitioner (2008)
- Inner Temple Exhibition Award (2010)
- Leonard Woodley Prize (2014)
Gurpreet‘s expertise
Family
Gurpreet is a family law specialist who accepts instructions in all areas of family law but particularly in respect of children. In 2018, Gurpreet returned to her home roots in the West Midlands having initially practised in South Yorkshire.
Public Law
She acts for local authorities, parents (and other family members) including children through court appointed guardians. Gurpreet has considerable experience in cases involving
serious allegations relating to physical and emotional abuse, non-accidental injuries, neglect and substance misuse.
Gurpreet is able to provide clear advice to her clients and where needed, to work alongside intermediaries or advocates assisting vulnerable clients. Gurpreet shows particular strength in her ability to build a quick and strong rapport with clients and in instilling them with confidence as a result of the representation she provides them.
Private Law
Gurpreet routinely acts for parties in all private law matters involving, but not limited to, applications under the Children Act and The Family Law Act. She has extensive experience in a range of cases where serious allegations of physical and emotional harm play a feature. She is able to challenge evidence robustly both in writing and orally. Gurpreet is able to cut through to the key issues in a case early on to achieve the best results for her client. She is confident in raising matters which are difficult and does not shy away from advancing her client’s case in court or in out of court discussions.
Gurpreet will provide robust advice to clients without compromising her ability to allow her clients to feel heard. Gurpreet prides herself particularly on being able to provide a fully rounded service to her clients and instructing solicitors which is reflected in the thoroughness of her preparation, how she presents her cases in court and the time she gives to her clients.
Gurpreet’s easy approach, confident advocacy and user friendly demeanour make her a popular choice with solicitors and she is often retained by her clients.
Police Work
Gurpreet has an established practice in forced marriage (with experience in genital mutilation cases) as well as matters relating to disclosure. She is often called upon by the West Midlands Police to advise and represent them in both urgent applications and subsequent hearings and has received positive feedback from Judges for the approach she adopts in resolving matters in a focussed manner. Gurpreet also has experience acting for respondents and protected persons.
Gurpreet is known for her pragmatic yet sensitive approach when dealing with protected parties and respondents and she has forged strong professional relationships with police safeguarding teams.
Regulatory
Gurpreet has a growing regulatory practice where she advises and represents clients in matters of professional discipline with an emphasis on teachers (including senior leadership teachers).
Gurpreet draws on her previous experience working for one of the leading Teacher’s Unions prior to practising at the self-employed Bar.
Coupled with the skills Gurpreet has amassed from her successful family law practice, she is extremely well equipped to provide her clients with robust advice and representation without compromising the sensitivity required to navigate them through what is arguably one of the most distressing periods of their lives. Gurpreet is seamless in her approach when coming to build a rapport with her clients and allowing them to feel heard.
Gurpreet works closely with her instructing solicitors and is available to provide ongoing advice and guidance to secure the best results for her clients.
Recent cases include:
2023 – Represented a teacher facing safeguarding and dishonesty related allegations. The panel found that none of the teacher’s conduct amounted to unacceptable professional conduct and/or behaviour which could bring the teaching profession into disrepute. Gurpreet was able to successfully challenge the Headteacher’s evidence through cross examination and preserve a clean professional record for the teacher.
2023 – Represented a housemaster facing several allegations of historical misconduct of a sexual nature in a multi-day hearing.
2023- Represented a teacher who was alleged to have used unreasonable force against a pupil. Gurpreet was able to avoid the panel making findings made that there had been a deliberate throw to the ground Gurpreet’s client which was crucial in being able to successfully persuade the panel to avoid recommending a prohibition.
2023 – Represented a teacher in a multi-day hearing where the TRA alleged that the admitted misconduct was sexually motivated. Gurpreet was able to persuade the panel to find that sexual motivation had not been proven on the facts upon successfully challenging the witness
evidence of two senior staff members. Gurpreet’s client avoided a prohibition recommendation.
2022 – Represented a Year 6 teacher in a 10 day hearing involving allegations relating to the maladministration of SATS. Gurpreet successfully persuaded the panel to find that the teacher’s conduct did not meet the threshold to make findings of unacceptable professional conduct and/or behaviour which could bring the teaching profession into disrepute. Gurpreet’s client was able to preserve her clean teaching record.
Interests
In her spare time, Gurpreet enjoys motorcycling, spending time with her young family and dedicating time towards various volunteering projects she is involved in.