Who? Claire Gardner, 30-year-old assistant solicitor and family law specialist at Clarkson Wright & Jakes in Orpington, Kent.

Why is she in the news? Acts for Elayne Oxley, the cohabitee who was awarded a 40% (93,000) share in the house she lived in with her partner by the Court of Appeal, despite having paid only 22% of the original purchase price and never having contributed to the mortgage.

The case clarified the legal position that once a beneficial interest has been established, the court may award whatever it considers to be a fair share of the property to each party, looking at the whole course of dealings between the parties.

There was no evidence that the parties had discussed the extent of their beneficial interests.

Background: LLB and LPC at the University of Westminster, then training contract at Clarkson Wright & Jakes, qualifying in 2000.

Route to the case: The firm was recommended to Ms Oxley.

Thoughts on the case: 'The case was hailed by some of the media as a landmark ruling.

It definitely made some law, and clarified the legal position.

There were many inaccuracies reported in the press, suggesting that the judgement meant property rights would be awarded to "ex-lovers who pay no mortgage".

This is simply not the case, as Ms Oxley had already contributed towards the purchase price of the property, and had therefore established her interest.

Like so many of my clients, Ms Oxley presumed that she was a common-law wife - she always thought she would be entitled to half.

I think that the high profile of this case may assist with the much-needed reform of the laws affecting those couples that choose to live together and not marry.

Same-sex couples are being given the same rights as married couples - something like that needs to happen for other cohabitees.'

Dealing with the media: 'The media interest has been phenomenal.

Ms Oxley gave many interviews and appeared on GMTV - she even had the media camped outside her house.

I was contacted by the majority of the national and local newspapers and appeared on a live debate on Channel 4 news to discuss the existing problems cohabitees face in relation to property rights.

After the judgement, the 'phone was ringing non-stop for two weeks.'

Rachel Rothwell