High Sheriff of Gwent

I have recently retired as a Circuit Judge. For 15 years I sat exclusively in the family court, where a large percentage of my work related to child protection. As a barrister I also specialised in family law. I have always tried to do my best for children in difficult circumstances. Sometimes, because of issues beyond my control, that was not easy to achieve.

From my work, I understand some of the deep-rooted issues that affect young people in this county such as poverty, substance misuse, mental health difficulties, trauma, self-confidence issues, lack of opportunity and ambition, difficulties with accessing education and a paucity of services which might offer some of them a real alternative to criminal activity.

I also think I understand the community issues in Gwent. My journey to becoming High Sheriff has not been typical. I come from many generations of mining families on both sides. I was educated through the comprehensive system and was the first in my family to go to sixth form and University.

I returned to Gwent after my professional training in 1983 and I have lived in the county ever since. I have a keen interest in children’s rights and equal opportunity for all structures of society particularly through the education process. It is my primary ambition to try to use my year as High Sheriff to make the Office more relevant to young people in Gwent. Many have not heard of the office; others do not know anything about the role of the High Sheriff. Inevitably those who have only heard of the “High Sheriff” or “Shrievalty” are under the impression that we have little understanding or experience of the issues that children and young people face as they progress towards adulthood. I want to try and change that perception and give a voice to young people, through me and the office I hold. I want therefore to meet and talk to as many young people as I can.

It will come as no surprise to those who know me that the theme for my year is to shine a light on the poverty of opportunity for children and young people in Gwent, who I know could achieve great things with the right support and services, both to have ambition and to achieve it.

However, intervention needs not only to be timely but focused, simply throwing money at parts of the problem is futile. I am aware that we need to do much more from a practical perspective. I am a keen supporter of mentoring as a way of helping young people, and I am keen to support mentoring programmes in Gwent.

I also want to spotlight those charities and organisations supporting our young people. They are tirelessly making a difference with little recognition. My aim is to ensure that they understand how much their efforts are valued.

My overarching message will be - let us encourage as many of our young people as we can to realise their potential whatever that may be. We can all make a contribution and time is the most valuable resource that we can give.

Jade studied Law at Cardiff University and is now a Family Law Solicitor.
As Executive Assistant her role will be to assist the High Sheriff in her Shrieval duties and in particular, connecting with organisations supporting young people in Gwent.

The High Sheriff has a legal duty to appoint an Under Sheriff who has a vital role in ensuring continuity and deputises for the High Sheriff. The Under Sheriff is a valuable advisor to new High Sheriffs and is familiar with the protocols of the Court, with considerable experience of ceremonial matters.

Natalie Sandercock, the Under Sheriff of Gwent read Classics at Oxford University and later converted to law. She was called to the Bar in 2000 at the Middle Temple, practising initially at 30 Park Place before joining 9 Park Place in January 2018.

She has been consistently ranked in legal directories, particularly for her financial remedy work: she attracts high net worth cases, including those with company law, taxation and trusts issues. She has particular experience in dealing with agricultural property/businesses on divorce, as well as civil cohabitee ’Tolata’ disputes. 

‘A tenacious advocate with gravitas and authority’. ‘First class – she’s incredibly bright and a great advocate’ (Chambers UK, 2016)
Natalie was appointed to sit as a Deputy District Judge on the Wales Circuit in 2011 and holds Civil, Private Law and Public Law Family authorisations.

The High Sheriff has a legal duty to appoint an Under Sheriff who has a vital role in ensuring continuity and deputises for the High Sheriff. The Under Sheriff is a valuable advisor to new High Sheriffs and is familiar with the protocols of the Court, with considerable experience of ceremonial matters.

Natalie Sandercock, the Under Sheriff of Gwent read Classics at Oxford University and later converted to law. She was called to the Bar in 2000 at the Middle Temple, practising initially at 30 Park Place before joining 9 Park Place in January 2018.

She has been consistently ranked in legal directories, particularly for her financial remedy work: she attracts high net worth cases, including those with company law, taxation and trusts issues. She has particular experience in dealing with agricultural property/businesses on divorce, as well as civil cohabitee ’Tolata’ disputes. 

‘A tenacious advocate with gravitas and authority’. ‘First class – she’s incredibly bright and a great advocate’ (Chambers UK, 2016)
Natalie was appointed to sit as a Deputy District Judge on the Wales Circuit in 2011 and holds Civil, Private Law and Public Law Family authorisations.

Katie has been a member of the Interfaith Council of Wales since 2018 and a representative on the Council for the Third Sector Voluntary Partnership (TSVP) portfolios representing faith in ministerial consultations. She has been Chair of the Council from 2019 and a trustee of the Interfaith Network UK. Katie has also been a member of the Interfaith Forum of Wales, a government appointed consultation body since 2019.

Katie has considerable experience and expertise in working with families having been practising as a family lawyer for 30 years. She qualified as the first family mediator in Wales in 1996 and has been Chair of Family Mediation, South Wales Limited ever since.

The Chaplain’s role is to provide support, advice and assistance to the High Sheriff during their year in office. 

High Sheriffs greatly value the tradition of appointing their own Chaplain for their support and advice and for their assistance at shrieval church services and on other formal occasions.

The Chaplain’s time and support are also most generously and freely given