18 St John Street Chambers is praised as ‘very strong in children’s law’ with ‘a great range of strong senior juniors.’ The members have significant experience across a wide variety of matters, including serious sexual abuse, life-threatening and fatal injuries, deprivation of liberty, factitious illnesses, and parental alienation. Rehana Begum and Yvonne Healing are often instructed in complex care proceedings. Fiona Holloran‘s practice covers both private and public law applications, representing children, parents, and local authorities. Kate Bramall is skilled in handling cases concerning unexplained injuries to children, and Anna Warters has expertise in representing vulnerable clients, especially those with mental health problems and learning disabilities, and she regularly acts in cases concerning capacity issues and the Official Solicitor. Alex Walker is also a notable member of the set with a strong public and private law practice.
Family: children and domestic violence in
Regional Bar
18 St John Street Chambers
Testimonials
‘Camille Scott and Vaughn John are always extremely helpful and go out of their way to assist. They are very attentive and quick to respond and find solutions.’
‘The clerks are fantastic! Camille Scott is head of the family team and she goes above and beyond to try to help cover in difficult situations. She is professional and friendly and has an excellent team.’
‘Camille Scott and her team offer first-rate support to chambers. They are quick to respond on fees and provide sensible solutions with counsel’s availability.’
‘The clerks within the family team are brilliant.’
‘The clerks are always extremely helpful and offer as much flexibility and availability as possible. The overall service from this set is the best in the North West.’
‘Chambers is very strong in children’s law and has a great range of strong senior juniors.’
’18 St John Street Chambers is fantastic. The members are strong and it is a solid set with strength in depth and outstanding barristers. They go out of their way to accommodate solicitors, even in extremely urgent situations.’
‘This is an excellent set.’
St John's Buildings
The members of ‘go-to chambers’ St John’s Buildings handle cases at all levels of courts, including the Family Division of the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court, and they are praised for ‘extensive experience in the field’. Frances Heaton KC is instructed by local authorities, parents, grandparents, children, and interveners in complex public law children proceedings, and she has expertise in parental alienation cases. Karl Rowley KC is skilled regarding cases that concern complex medical evidence, and Lorraine Cavanagh KC has a thriving practice, frequently handling complex brain injury cases and medically challenging fatal injury cases. Shaun Spencer KC made Silk in 2023 and has substantial experience in cases regarding child deaths and sexual abuse.
Testimonials
‘Dan Johnson is professional, dependable, and always goes above and beyond to help.’
‘Paul Laverty is fabulous.’
‘The clerks are amazing and Dan Johnson and Ryan Barker are professional, approachable, and they value everyone they speak to. They are well respected on the circuit.’
Deans Court Chambers
At Deans Court Chambers, the team handles both public and private children law cases. Michael Jones KC made silk in 2023, and his practice encompasses issues around wardship and the inherent jurisdiction, complex medical matters, fabricated and induced illnesses, and radicalisation. Rebecca Gregg exclusively works on children law matters; in private law cases, she handles serious allegations of physical, emotional, and sexual harm, and in public law cases, she represents local authorities, parents, and children’s guardians. Peter Rothery is highly skilled in significant care cases involving death and serious injury to children and complex sexual abuse cases, and Patrick Gilmore is notable for his work sitting as an arbitrator.
Testimonials
‘Louise McCarty is excellent; always very helpful and friendly and will do what she can to assist in all circumstances.’
‘Great clerking and a first choice of chambers.’
‘All of the clerks are incredibly helpful and understand the urgency of situations that can arise.’
7 Harrington Street
7 Harrington Street ‘has strength in depth with a large and varied family team.’ The members are highly adept at handling all types of public and private children law cases. Margaret Parr has appeared in the Court of Appeal and the High Court, representing children, parents, and local authorities in cases concerning allegations of sexual abuse, violence against children, substance misuse, mental health issues, and child neglect. Natasha Johnson has experience with cases that have jurisdictional and international issues, and in the private law arena, she handles applications for child arrangements orders, prohibited steps orders, and specific issues applications. Natasha Harrison is another notable member of the set and she represents a range of clients in both public law and private law proceedings.
Testimonials
‘The Clerks are excellent, particularly Carolyn Creegan, who works phenomenally well under pressure and is always calm and available.’
‘John Kilgallon runs an excellent ship at 7 Harrington Street, ensuring client needs are met.’
‘The clerks are led by John Kilgallon, who is by far the most outstanding clerk. He makes sure that his instructing solicitors are supported and that excellent service is provided.’
‘Carolyn Cregeen has always been wonderful to deal with. She is helpful, approachable, and willing to assist.’
‘Carolyn Cregreen is an experienced family clerk, and she is friendly and helpful.’
‘7 Harrington Street are a go-to chambers. They have barristers across the board, from KCs to junior barristers, and they are able to accommodate a varying client base.’
‘The family team are second to none in the North West; they always go the extra mile for the client and support their instructing solicitor.’
‘7 Harrington Street has a diverse family offering and there is always somebody available to assist.’
9 St John Street
The members of 9 St John Street handle a wide range of matters, from contested adoption, allegations of physical and sexual abuse, and deprivation of liberty, to Article 15 Brussels disputes, parental alienation, and the relocation of children. Its members represent all the parties involved in children law cases, including applicants and respondents, intervenors, local authorities, guardians and grandparents, children, and those represented by the Official Solicitor or a litigation friend. Kalsoom Maqsood specialises predominantly in public law proceedings, and has appeared at all levels of court up the Court of Appeal. Sarah Kilvington‘s practice encompasses serious abuse of children, fabricated and induced illness, gender distress in children, and complex sexual abuse.
Testimonials
‘The clerks room is one of the best in the North West. Ped McKinstry is a clerk amongst clerks! He aways wants to help and he knows his barristers and who suits what case.’
‘Excellent – Ped McKinstry and the team are brilliant.’
‘Ped McKinstry is brilliant. He is always super helpful and gets back to you immediately.’
18 St John Street Chambers
Testimonials
‘Camille Scott and Vaughn John are always extremely helpful and go out of their way to assist. They are very attentive and quick to respond and find solutions.’
‘The clerks are fantastic! Camille Scott is head of the family team and she goes above and beyond to try to help cover in difficult situations. She is professional and friendly and has an excellent team.’
‘Camille Scott and her team offer first-rate support to chambers. They are quick to respond on fees and provide sensible solutions with counsel’s availability.’
‘The clerks within the family team are brilliant.’
‘The clerks are always extremely helpful and offer as much flexibility and availability as possible. The overall service from this set is the best in the North West.’
‘Chambers is very strong in children’s law and has a great range of strong senior juniors.’
’18 St John Street Chambers is fantastic. The members are strong and it is a solid set with strength in depth and outstanding barristers. They go out of their way to accommodate solicitors, even in extremely urgent situations.’
‘This is an excellent set.’
St John's Buildings
The members of ‘go-to chambers’ St John’s Buildings handle cases at all levels of courts, including the Family Division of the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court, and they are praised for ‘extensive experience in the field’. Frances Heaton KC is instructed by local authorities, parents, grandparents, children, and interveners in complex public law children proceedings, and she has expertise in parental alienation cases. Karl Rowley KC is skilled regarding cases that concern complex medical evidence, and Lorraine Cavanagh KC has a thriving practice, frequently handling complex brain injury cases and medically challenging fatal injury cases. Shaun Spencer KC made Silk in 2023 and has substantial experience in cases regarding child deaths and sexual abuse.
Testimonials
‘Dan Johnson is professional, dependable, and always goes above and beyond to help.’
‘Paul Laverty is fabulous.’
‘The clerks are amazing and Dan Johnson and Ryan Barker are professional, approachable, and they value everyone they speak to. They are well respected on the circuit.’
Deans Court Chambers
At Deans Court Chambers, the team handles both public and private children law cases. Michael Jones KC made silk in 2023, and his practice encompasses issues around wardship and the inherent jurisdiction, complex medical matters, fabricated and induced illnesses, and radicalisation. Rebecca Gregg exclusively works on children law matters; in private law cases, she handles serious allegations of physical, emotional, and sexual harm, and in public law cases, she represents local authorities, parents, and children’s guardians. Peter Rothery is highly skilled in significant care cases involving death and serious injury to children and complex sexual abuse cases, and Patrick Gilmore is notable for his work sitting as an arbitrator.
Testimonials
‘Louise McCarty is excellent; always very helpful and friendly and will do what she can to assist in all circumstances.’
‘Great clerking and a first choice of chambers.’
‘All of the clerks are incredibly helpful and understand the urgency of situations that can arise.’
7 Harrington Street
7 Harrington Street ‘has strength in depth with a large and varied family team.’ The members are highly adept at handling all types of public and private children law cases. Margaret Parr has appeared in the Court of Appeal and the High Court, representing children, parents, and local authorities in cases concerning allegations of sexual abuse, violence against children, substance misuse, mental health issues, and child neglect. Natasha Johnson has experience with cases that have jurisdictional and international issues, and in the private law arena, she handles applications for child arrangements orders, prohibited steps orders, and specific issues applications. Natasha Harrison is another notable member of the set and she represents a range of clients in both public law and private law proceedings.
Testimonials
‘The Clerks are excellent, particularly Carolyn Creegan, who works phenomenally well under pressure and is always calm and available.’
‘John Kilgallon runs an excellent ship at 7 Harrington Street, ensuring client needs are met.’
‘The clerks are led by John Kilgallon, who is by far the most outstanding clerk. He makes sure that his instructing solicitors are supported and that excellent service is provided.’
‘Carolyn Cregeen has always been wonderful to deal with. She is helpful, approachable, and willing to assist.’
‘Carolyn Cregreen is an experienced family clerk, and she is friendly and helpful.’
‘7 Harrington Street are a go-to chambers. They have barristers across the board, from KCs to junior barristers, and they are able to accommodate a varying client base.’
‘The family team are second to none in the North West; they always go the extra mile for the client and support their instructing solicitor.’
‘7 Harrington Street has a diverse family offering and there is always somebody available to assist.’
9 St John Street
The members of 9 St John Street handle a wide range of matters, from contested adoption, allegations of physical and sexual abuse, and deprivation of liberty, to Article 15 Brussels disputes, parental alienation, and the relocation of children. Its members represent all the parties involved in children law cases, including applicants and respondents, intervenors, local authorities, guardians and grandparents, children, and those represented by the Official Solicitor or a litigation friend. Kalsoom Maqsood specialises predominantly in public law proceedings, and has appeared at all levels of court up the Court of Appeal. Sarah Kilvington‘s practice encompasses serious abuse of children, fabricated and induced illness, gender distress in children, and complex sexual abuse.
Testimonials
‘The clerks room is one of the best in the North West. Ped McKinstry is a clerk amongst clerks! He aways wants to help and he knows his barristers and who suits what case.’
‘Excellent – Ped McKinstry and the team are brilliant.’
‘Ped McKinstry is brilliant. He is always super helpful and gets back to you immediately.’