Albion Chambers

albionchambers.co.uk

Adam Vaitilingam KC is a highly-experienced silk and a specialist in criminal, environmental, health and safety and child law. He is a former head of Albion Chambers and a deputy High Court Judge, authorised to sit in the King’s Bench Division and the Family Division. In criminal work Adam has a wide-ranging practice prosecuting and defending all types of serious cases. He has a particular focus on complex fraud and homicide, fields in which he has been regularly named as a leading silk by Legal 500. In fraud work, his current cases include a long-running multi-million pound missing trader fraud. Other high profile cases include: conspiracy to defraud a major aircraft company; an IFA charged with high value fraud in relation to tax relief for a film project; and the chief executive of a multinational insurance company charged with conspiracy to defraud. He has successfully represented many commercial and professional clients. Among a succession of high profile homicide cases, Adam prosecuted for gross negligence manslaughter the men responsible for the Bath tipper truck crash, prosecuted the Berlinah Wallace murder trial and defended Nathan Matthews, charged with the murder of Becky Watts. He has represented many motorists accused of causing death by dangerous or careless driving. He has appeared in a number of important appeal cases, particularly in relation to causation and partial defences to murder. In environmental work, he has represented companies and individuals charged with pollution, land contamination and waste management offences. Adam recently defended a company responsible for a series of major fires across South Wales and a company director charged with unlawfully filling a quarry with waste. He also advises on environmental permitting. He is the only Western Circuit silk recommended in this field by the legal directory Chambers & Partners 2020. In health and safety work, he has defended and prosecuted many serious breaches of health and safety legislation, usually involving fatality or serious injury. Recent cases in 2019/2020 include defence of a major hotel operator, accused of exposing workers and guests to asbestos, and several cases where workers have fallen from height. He is currently advising in relation to failures in maintenance across an operator’s fleet of vehicles, following the death of a cyclist who was hit by a lorry. In public law, Adam represents parents in fact-finding hearings, particularly in cases involving non-accidental injury or allegations of sexual assault. Recent cases include an application for the right to withdraw life support from a severely brain-injured infant, and the defence of a mother accused of devastating assault on a foster child. Adam has also prosecuted and defended in some of the most serious sexual offences cases heard on the Western Circuit, ranging from rape and sexual assault to the production and distribution of indecent images. He recently successfully represented a Premiership Rugby international charged with sexual assault. Both as a junior and over a decade in silk, Adam has represented many companies and individuals in a wide range of regulatory cases, from alleged planning, copyright and trademark offences to breach of the law on gangmasters and the unlawful felling of protected trees. He is currently retained to advise a local authority in relation to fire safety across its housing stock. Away from practice, Adam has lectured widely in the UK and overseas on human rights law, most recently in Russia on behalf of the Council of Europe.

Alan Fuller

Alan Fuller is a specialist advocate dealing with regulatory crime and is the regulatory team leader. His experience and expertise has been consistently acknowledged in the Legal 500 directory, where he is listed amongst a handful of such specialists on the Western Circuit. He has built on his extensive experience in the criminal courts to provide an expert advisory and advocacy service tailored to the needs of those working in this field. His approachable and accessible style makes him first choice for many Local Authorities dealing with complex and novel cases, including the South West Regional Trading Standards Enforcement team. He has also been appointed to the approved list of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health and Safety and Environmental Law (list B).

Alec Small

Alec joined Albion Chambers in 2014 after the successful completion of his pupillage. He practises in criminal, court of protection and civil law. He maintains an advocacy and advisory practice in these areas. Prior to joining Chambers Alec worked as a County Court Advocate regularly appearing in civil matters across the South West. His background with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets means he has a good working knowledge of forces matters and the impact such lifestyles can have on clients. Alec regularly appears in both the Crown and Magistrates’ Courts both prosecuting and representing defendants. He is a CPS Advocate panel level 3 Prosecutor and regularly prosecutes and defends in Crown Court Trials. He appears in most criminal matters including the supply of controlled drugs, violence and offences against property. He also appears in Proceeds of Crime applications and in matters on behalf of the Probation Service. Alec also appears on behalf of constabularies and the CPS in disclosure applications in the Family Court, using his knowledge of both jurisdictions to good effect to obtain vital information for ongoing investigations. Alec regularly appears in the Employment Tribunals in all forms of hearing. He has worked in matters regarding dismissal, Equality Act cases and breaches of contract, and will accept work in any Employment dispute. He undertook an employment pupillage Stephen Roberts and Jason Taylor. He now has a national practice appearing in tribunals in Liverpool, Manchester, Plymouth and London. Alec acts for both claimants and respondents at all stages of proceedings, including advising on prospects. Alec takes a pragmatic approach to his cases and is able to apply his advocacy and analytical skills from his criminal practice to tribunal proceedings to good effect. Alec accepts instructions to act on behalf of local authorities, families, the Official Solicitor, Care commissioning Groups, deputies and NHS Trusts in matters involving both welfare and finance. He has been a member of the Court of Protection team since joining Albion Chambers in 2014 and has regularly assisted local authorities, NHS authorities and solicitors’ firms with education and training. Alec also undertakes work in Ordinary Residence disputes. Recently advising Local Authorities in cases where funding responsibility is in dispute.Alec is known for his ability to assimilate material quickly, build a good rapport with clients and is able to cut to the heart of the issues in the case, in this way he is able to find a route through the case with an eye on avoiding unnecessary costs and delay.

Alexander West

Alexander specialises in Matrimonial Finance, Regulatory Crime and Inquests. Having joined Chambers in 2014 following the successful completion of his pupillage, Alexander has built a busy practice within the Western Circuit and beyond, and is known for his friendly client manner and detailed approach to cases. Alexander is also a qualified mediator; a skill which assists when negotiating settlements on behalf of clients. Having maintained an intentionally broad Family Law practice for several years, Alexander now specialises in Matrimonial Finance, dealing with all aspects of financial remedy applications following divorce or separation. Alexander advises and provides advocacy services at all stages from initial application through to final hearing, and particularly enjoys the challenge of cases where matrimonial assets are unlikely to meet both parties’ needs. Alexander has experience beyond his level of call representing clients in Article 2 and non-Article 2 inquests, with and without a jury, dealing with issues such as disclosure, appropriate conclusions and PFD reports. Having worked in a variety of client-facing roles in the past, Alexander is able to put clients at ease in what is often a very unfamiliar environment, enabling them to give their best evidence. Typically representing public authorities, Alexander has a detailed understanding of issues surrounding Regulation 28 evidence, non-causative culpable conduct and the engagement of Article 2. He is able to provide advice on case strategy in addition or as an alternative to advocacy services. Alexander acts for regulators, individuals and businesses in a broad range of regulatory disputes, and is always happy to advise on areas which may be unfamiliar territory to those instructing. He is one of three barristers on the Western Circuit to be ranked in Chambers and Partners for Environmental Law, described as: “A rising star with a growing practice in environmental crime and regulatory matters. He regularly defends environmental prosecutions and has a particular focus on waste management”.

Alice Darian

Alice Darian is a specialist in family law, and has built a substantial child care practice based on a combination of thorough preparation, confident and effective advocacy, and an ability to put clients at ease in the most difficult circumstances. She is regularly instructed to represent local authorities, parents and children in County and Family Proceedings Courts across the circuit.

Alun Williams

Alun joined Albion Chambers in 2017 after undertaking pupillage and early tenancy in London. He has a broad criminal and regulatory practice, acting for both prosecution and defence. He came to the Bar following a career as an inspector with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), where his work ranged from the regional Major Investigation Team, through to the construction and chemical Major Hazard sectors. This provided an expertise not only in a niche area of Regulatory Crime, but also in relation to accidents at work and matters of occupational ill-health such as HAVS, MSD, Asbestos and Legionella. He is also well versed in matters relating to the design function and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM). He is also experienced in the Proceeds of Crime Act and Confiscation Hearings. He is a CPS Advocate Panel Level 2 Prosecutor and appointed to the Specialist Regulatory List for advocates prosecuting Health & Safety and Environmental Law. He is regularly instructed by regulatory bodies such as the HSE; SIA and NMC. He is also regularly instructed by the police in applications for civil orders such as Domestic Violence Protection Orders and Closure Orders. He came to the Bar following a career as an Inspector with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), where his work ranged from the regional Major Investigation Team, through to the construction and chemical Major Hazard sectors. This provided an expertise not only in a key area of Regulatory Crime, but also in relation to accidents at work and matters of occupational ill-health such as HAVS, MSD, Asbestos and Legionella. He is also well versed in the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM). Alun was an Assessment Manager for ‘COMAH Top-Tier’ sites (chemical plants with the potential to cause catastrophic major accidents) and conducted fatal accident and major incident investigations together with the police under the ‘Work-related death protocol’. A common theme in his work for the HSE was the investigation of accidents and incidents and the subsequent conduct of prosecutions. This involved consideration of offences at the nexus of gross negligence manslaughter, corporate manslaughter and regulatory matters; an area in which he developed his expertise via an LLM in Corporate Manslaughter.

Barry White

Barry joined Albion in 2021, after practising for many years from Walnut House.Barry is an experienced junior, who defends serious criminal cases including violence, sexual offences, dishonesty and drugs. He also prosecutes and defends in regulatory and quasi-criminal matters.

Benjamin Jenkins

Ben Jenkins is on sabbatical for a year from 2019. Ben Jenkins' practice is predominantly in the field of public children work.

Caroline Middleton

Caroline undertook her pupillage at 1GC Family Law and was a tenant there for 15 years. She initially practised in all areas of family law but latterly has developed an exclusively private practice specialising in matrimonial finance and private law children work. Whilst at 1GC Family Law she was routinely instructed by first-tier firms with a strong presence in London. Caroline has found that a practice encompassing both family finance and private law children matters offers continuity of counsel in both areas. A number of solicitors and clients have instructed her in tandem proceedings and have valued the approach and over-arching perspective it brings to cases and case management. She is approachable, tenacious and pragmatic, and will always seek to ensure the best result for her clients. Caroline’s private children practice covers a wide ambit from external and internal relocation to acrimonious private law children matters involving implacable hostility and parental alienation. Her cases routinely feature expert psychiatric and/or psychological opinion and require a nuanced and sensitive approach. She has further expertise in cases involving substance misuse (both drug and alcohol) and mental health issues. Within the arena of family finance Caroline is instructed not only in financial remedy cases but those involving co habitation disputes including Children Act 1989 Schedule 1 matters. Her cases frequently involve a high-value-asset base, business valuations, expert tax opinion and complex pension cases. Caroline is frequently briefed in cases of domestic violence and where emotional and psychological harm is present. She undertakes injunctive relief work pursuant to Family Law Act 1996.

Charles Hyde KC

Considered to be ‘intellectually in a class of his own’; as having an ‘enviable practice as a smooth operator in high-value money cases’ (Chambers and Partners), and brilliant, inclusive and charming’ (Legal 500), Charles has appeared in many reported and well-publicised cases. Solicitors and lay clients are attracted to his ‘no-nonsense’ and focused approached, designed to achieve the best outcome at the least possible emotional cost. His pragmatism reflects years of high-quality work at the Bar and also his experience sitting at the Royal Courts of Justice as a Deputy High Court Judge, where he has authority to hear the most complex financial and children cases. He also sits as a Recorder in Private and Public Law cases across the West of England. He was a founder member of the Family Procedure Rules Committee in 2004 and served on the committee for ten years.

Charley Pattison

Charley completed her pupillage in 2014 and joined Albion Chambers as a tenant in 2018. She practices in crime, civil, the Coroner’s Court and Court of Protection. Charley was awarded a Pegasus Scholarship and spent three months working at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Charley focused on cases brought against the UK and covered a broad range of human rights abuses including right to life, right to fair trial and a number of very interesting privacy cases. Charley is a trustee of the Avon and Bristol Law Centre and has set up a legal environmental charity. Charley is regularly instructed as trial counsel in matters relating to drugs supply, sexual offences, violence, fraud and burglary. She also has experience of confiscation proceedings for both prosecution and defence at all stages. Charley is a Grade 2 panel advocate and a member of the CPS Serious Crime Group. Charley was recently successful in the Court of Appeal where she argued that a sentence be reduced from six years to three. Charley is instructed to represent claimants at civil trials in cases of false impr isonment and breaches of Article 3 ECHR. Charley undertakes work in the Court of Protection. She covers a broad range of areas under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, with an emphasis on health and welfare issues, as well as cases in the High Court’s jurisdiction in relation to vulnerable adults. Her work includes: personal welfare applications, serious medical treatment applications.section 21A applications challenging authorisations of deprivation of liberty in a care home or hospital under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), emergency applications, advising on local authority safeguarding duties and on the community care law issues arising in Court of Protection cases, contested applications for the appointment of deputies (welfare/financial affairs), and other property and affairs applications. Charley accepts instructions from RPRs, the Official Solicitor, family members, local authorities and the Office of the Public Guardian in relation to applications to the Court of Protection. Her previous work at the ECtHR included considering appeals against detention under the Mental Health Act, and gives her a solid understanding of the law and of the inter-relationship between the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act.

Charlotte Pitts

Charlotte Pitts is a family practitioner, specialising in children law. She practises in both public and private law work, with a particular interest in the public law domain. Charlotte has been involved in cases concerning the most serious allegations of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and of neglect and has represented vulnerable clients presenting with a variety of personality disorders and learning difficulties. Charlotte has been involved in proceedings involving the Official Solicitor and has acted for older children requiring separate representation. Her practice has involved representing clients at all stages of proceedings, from initial mediation and directions hearings to complex fact-finding and final hearings.

Claire Rowsell

Formerly a solicitor (admitted 1988) Claire Rowell specialises in public law children cases where she acts for local authorities, guardians and parents. She also acts in complex private law cases where a 16.4 Guardian has been appointed for the child. Claire has experience of cases involving sexual abuse of children, domestic violence, non–accidental injuries where the medical evidence was complex. Claire frequently acts for mentally ill, vulnerable and learning-disabled clients. She is known for her direct and practical approach to cases.

Clare Fear

Clare joined Albion Chambers in October 2018 having previously practised in Cardiff Chambers before being at the employed Bar. Clare has a varied practice in crime. She has been representing those facing serious sexual offences; historic and recent, for many years. Her emotional sensitivities allow for good rapport with clients who are dealing with sometimes distressing situations. Clare also has experience in dealing with cases involving serious violence, conspiracy to supply controlled substances and fraud. She is able to assimilate, analyse and efficiently present large amounts of evidence. Clare’s common-sense approach and ability to cut through voluminous amounts of information assist in her efficient approach. She is a realistic, fair, thorough and trusted advocate who has a mature ability to consider the strategy of a case. In Child Law, Clare undertakes both public and private law matters. She has previously practised in crime and family and is known for her ability to deal with vulnerable clients in a sensitive and practical manner.

Daniel Leafe

Daniel Leafe’s practice is exclusively in family law; ‘one of the best juniors in the West�� says ‘Chambers and Partners’. He undertakes a broad range of work within this field with an emphasis on matrimonial finance and cohabitation cases.

Darren Stewart

Darren joined Albion Chambers in January 2019 following a successful 14-year career as a solicitor. Originally called to the Bar in 2002, he cross-qualified with Eversheds LLP, being admitted to the Roll in 2004. Following his tenure at Eversheds LLP, Darren sought out other lead and management roles within the South-Wales area that would allow him to expand his repertoire and knowledge in a broad range of legal areas including employment, commercial and civil litigation and business law. In 2009 he set up his own firm, delivering legal services to SMEs and start-up businesses. He was repeatedly instructed by firms and entrepreneurs that included: the largest independent caterer in Wales, a contestant on Dragons Den and an executive director of a Welsh rugby team, amongst many others. In 2016 Darren was invited to work on a consultancy basis with a number of local authorities including Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Wiltshire, in addition to smaller parish and community councils. Darren advised at every level of management from HR assistants to Chief Executive, and on matters that included disputes on high-value demolition agreements to proceedings involving the sale of a 5,000-year-old Egyptian statuette. Darren spent a year heading up the employment and litigation team in a shared service company, delivering legal advice to a number of local authorities, NGOs and NfP organisations advising at director level and in regard to a complicated TUPE transfer. His pragmatic and empathetic style, extensive knowledge combined with his professional experience as a solicitor allows him to segue seamlessly into the delivery of legal services from initial instruction to eventual conclusion. Darren practises in employment, civil and regulatory law.

David Sapiecha

David joined Albion Chambers in February 2018. He is greatly experienced in Crime, Regulatory and Disciplinary Proceedings. David is on the A list panel of prosecutors for Health and Safety. He is a grade 4 CPS prosecutor. David prosecutes and defends serious and complex cases, especially fraud. He is a CPS panel advocate level 4 prosecutor and on the CPS Rape and Serious Crime Group Panels. Over the last 20 years David has been frequently instructed to advise and appear in regulatory cases. An illustrative list includes: Police misconduct, Health and safety (including fatalities), Trading Standards, Firearms appealsPlanning breaches, Animal welfare, Fire safety, Advising on legal professional privilege, David is on the A list panel of prosecutors for Health and Safety. David's clients include police constabularies, The Fire and Prison Services, and individual officers as well as drivers, etc. David is well-versed in Article 2 (European Convention on Human Rights) cases. David deals with many types of misconduct proceedings, either at first instance or by appeals, tribunals and judicial review.

David Cotterell

Reflecting his dual qualification as a barrister and as a surveyor, David’s experience in property matters is both broad and practical. His legal practice concentrates on property and construction litigation including boundary disputes; landlord and tenant work in residential, commercial and agricultural contexts, as well as matters arising from development agreements and loan security. David has represented local authorities and landowners at planning inquiries and in planning enforcement litigation. In addition to his tenancy at Albion he is a Director of Savills (Chartered Surveyors) where his surveying specialisation in affordable housing valuation and consultancy also gives him a particular insight into voluntary and public sector housing operational and regulatory issues. David is also a Chartered Environmentalist.

Derek Perry

Derek Perry is a specialist in criminal, regulatory and personal injury law. He enjoys a reputation for rigorous and astute evidential and legal analysis combined with effective advocacy and client care. Derek is regularly instructed in cases of considerable gravity, complexity and sensitivity including murder, fraud, serious sexual offences, drug supply, conspiracy, firearms and violence. Derek is a CPS panel advocate level 2 prosecutor. Derek is experienced in cases involving technical and complex issues of road traffic law and accepts instructions in this area in certain circumstances. Derek has significant experience in regulatory cases including prosecutions brought by the HSE, RSPCA, DEFRA, Environment Agency, Food Standards Agency, VOSA and local authorities. Such cases have involved domestic and agricultural animal welfare, agricultural regulation, handling and disposal of commercial waste, commercial fishing regulation, food hygiene, tachograph enforcement, planning enforcement and trading standards offences. He has experience of public inquiries before the Traffic Commissioner, actions brought by Companies House and Social Security Law. Derek also undertakes licensing cases including contentious applications for the grant and variation of premises licences, applications relating to designated premises supervisors, transfer applications and reviews. In addition to his criminal and regulatory practice Derek accepts personal injury instructions including complex multi-track cases. He acts for Claimants and Defendants and has experience of successfully defending claims arising from staged RTAs.

Edward Hetherington

Edd Hetherington is a specialist criminal and regulatory advocate, routinely instructed by the prosecution and defence in the most complex and serious of cases, including murder, rape, fraud, firearms and supply of controlled drugs. He is a CPS Grade 4 Panel Advocate and a member of the Regulatory Advocates Panel in Health & Safety and Environmental Law.

Ehsanul Oarith

Ehsan joined Chambers in October 2020, after the successful completion of his pupillage. Prior to pupillage, Ehsanul worked in East Africa for an international charity providing pro bono legal assistance to prisoners. He helped set up a legal aid clinic inside a maximum security prison in Uganda and led a strategic litigation team advocating for reform of the law of incarceration of the mentally ill prisoners for indefinite period. He also acted as a consultant on comparative criminal law advising on Criminal Justice Reform Project in Rwanda. Ehsanul also worked as an associate lecturer at UWE Bristol. Ehsanul is a member of Advocate, who assists in providing free legal assistance.

Emily Heggadon

Emily joined Chambers in September 2018 after the successful completion of her pupillage. She practises in criminal and family law. Prior to her pupillage Emily worked in Marseille, teaching English to professionals. She also spent three months working with the Human Rights Law Network in New Delhi, in the Reproductive Rights department. Emily is regularly instructed to prosecute and defend in the Youth Court, Magistrates Court and Crown Court. She has experience in a wide range of offences, including affray, theft offences, drug offences, offences against the person, driving, POCA, and sexual offences. She is a CPS grade 2 prosecutor; and has been instructed to prosecute in private prosecutions for the local authority, and other bodies. Emily is regularly instructed in public and private law proceedings regarding children. She has experience working for local authorities, parents, and the guardian, and has successfully represented parties at contested and urgent hearings.

Emma Martin

Emma is an experienced criminal practitioner, defending and prosecuting in a wide range of cases; she has been led in a number of serious cases including murder and conspiracy to supply drugs and firearms and is regarded as an efficient and dependable junior. Emma has particular experience in dealing with serious violent and sexual offences; she is recognised as someone who deals sensitively with child witnesses, victims and those accused of serious sexual offences. In addition to her ‘usual’ criminal practice, Emma deals with cases on behalf of Avon and Somerset Police, primarily in relation to shotgun and firearm licence matters.

Emma Roberts

Having practised as a solicitor for 16 years, Emma transferred to the Bar in March 2019, and joined Albion Chambers in January 2020 having initially practised from other local chambers. Emma spent 11 years in private practice undertaking an increasingly specialised case load of public law and complex private law cases. As a solicitor she was a member of the Law Society Children’s Panel and a Resolution accredited specialist in domestic abuse and private law children. Emma also held Higher Rights of Audience. More recently Emma worked at a local authority and has developed extensive experience of case management and an understanding of the pressures in a local authority role. Her advocacy experience has seen her undertaking cases in the Magistrates’, County and High Courts. Since moving to the Bar Emma has undertaken a mix of public and private law children work, acting for local authorities and parents.

Fiona Elder

Fiona Elder is a specialist in criminal law undertaking prosecution and defence work throughout the South West. She is a CPS panel advocate level 4 prosecutor. Fiona also has extensive practices in inquests and professional disciplinary work. Pro Bono work - On behalf of Amicus and Amnesty International, Fiona drafted a brief, for the Arizona Supreme Court, which was successful in commuting the sentence, passed on a juvenile, from death to life imprisonment.

Fiona Farquhar

Fiona is an experienced family practitioner specialising in children law. She practises in public and private law work acting for local authorities, parents, guardians, children and members of the extended family. She is also a qualified mediator.

Gemma Borkowski

Gemma Borkowski practises in matrimonial finance and child law. She specialises in matrimonial finance with a particular emphasis on high-net-worth cases involving multiple properties, business assets, trusts and third party interests. She has a wealth of experience having practised in matrimonial finance since joining Albion Chambers in 2006.

Geraint Norris

Geraint is one of the leading family practitioners on the Western Circuit specialising in cases involving the welfare of children. He regularly acts for local authorities, parents, children and children’s guardians in serious public and private Law cases, both in the High and County Courts. He has many year’s experience of acting in sensitive and complex cases relating to a wide range of issues including cases involving abusive head trauma (‘shaken baby syndrome’) and the triad of subdural haemorrhages, retinal haemorrhages and brain swelling; acting in the High Court in Bristol cases for the Local Authority, and for the mother in a case involving numerous experts and with a significant foreign element Glos CC v R and M.

Giles Nelson

Formerly at 5 Kings Bench Walk and St. John’s Chambers, Bristol; Giles Nelson joined Albion Chambers in October 2007. Giles is a specialist in criminal law and undertakes a full range of defence work and is a CPS panel advocate level 4 prosecutor. He has a great deal of experience in dealing with serious criminal matters for both sides. He has particular experience in heavy drugs cases, cases involving allegations of grave crimes of violence, sexual violence (prosecuted and defended numerous rapes) and a broad range of offences of dishonesty, often with high values involved. He is also experienced in defending health and safety prosecutions.

Hannah Wiltshire

Hannah undertakes Matrimonial Finance, Schedule 1, Private-Law children work, and trusts of land cases. She has a particular interest in how these areas interplay with each other and other jurisdictions, such as Proceeds of Crime.

Harry Ahuja

Harry Ahuja is an accomplished practitioner having worked in the criminal justice system for over 16 years. Prior to practising in chambers, he was a legal adviser to the justices for four years gaining extensive knowledge of law and procedure in the Magistrates’ and Youth Courts. Over the last 12 years he has developed a busy prosecution and defence practice in the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal.

Hayley Griffiths

Hayley Griffiths is an experienced family law barrister who specialises in all aspects of Public and Private Child Law.

James Cranfield

James is Head of the Child Law Team. He joined Chambers in 2008 having successfully built a combined family and criminal law practice. He has practised exclusively in family law since that time, utilising the skills developed as a jury advocate to great effect in representing parents and local authorities alike. His experience as a criminal practitioner, particularly in relation to cases involving serious violent and sexual offences, makes him a natural choice for instruction in matters involving the most serious of fact findings and associated Police investigations. James was appointed a Recorder in 2019.

Joanna Lucas

Joanna has extensive experience in all aspects of public law children. She has conducted a wide range of cases in the county court and high court, and has appeared in the Court of Appeal. Her areas of experience include: EPO/ICO applications for local authority, parents and guardian; fact finding hearings – domestic violence and non-accidental injuries; s.38(6) applications; placement; special guardianship; adults with learning disabilities requiring the Official Solicitor; fabricated illness; sexual abuse; neglect. Joanna regularly acts for parents in disputes concerning the following: residence; contact; specific issue; prohibited steps; removal from the jurisdiction; fact finding hearings. Experience of complex cases involving allegations of sexual abuse of children, rape within parental relationships and domestic violence; domestic violence and injunctions; non-molestation and occupation injunctions, and related proceedings.

Jonathan Wilkinson

Jonathan joined Albion in 2016 and specialises in Court of Protection and Child Law. Before he transferred to the Bar in July 2006, Jonathan practised as a solicitor for 18 years and was a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel for 12 years. He also had Higher Rights of Audience (Civil). Jonathan is a specialist children law practitioner. He has an established practice in children law with particular emphasis on public law (care) proceedings. He is also instructed in complex private law, adoption, special guardianship and wardship proceedings. He represents parents, children and local authorities at all levels of court. He is regularly instructed in cases involving non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse, physical abuse, the murder of a parent, neglect, emotional abuse, substance misuse, mental health issues, learning difficulties and teenage parents. He has extensive expertise in representing young people separately from their guardian in care proceedings and, in particular, in secure accommodation proceedings. He has worked voluntarily for Law Centres, Citizen Advice Bureau, the Family Rights Group and the Bar Pro Bono Unit. Jonathan undertakes work in the Court of Protection. He covers a broad range of areas under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, with an emphasis on health and welfare issues, as well as cases in the High Court’s jurisdiction in relation to vulnerable adults.

Jonathan Stanniland

Jonathan Stanniland practices in matrimonial finance. He undertakes financial provision and trust of land cases. Jonathan focuses on matrimonial finance work with a particular emphasis on financial provision on divorce and trusts of land. He has more than 20 years of experience representing clients in private practice. He is a highly skilled cross-examiner and a succinct and impactful advocate. He is known for his sympathetic and efficient conference manner and effective negotiation technique.

Kannan Siva

Kannan Siva is a criminal practitioner who has vast experience of defending serious and complex conspiracies relating to: drugs and firearms, organised crime, allegations of extreme violence, kidnap, blackmail and fraud. He also prosecutes cases of public importance including drug supply and regularly prosecutes allegations of Rape and Serious Sexual Offending, or cases involving particularly vulnerable victims, which often involve hearsay arguments. He has been a CPS panel advocate level 4 prosecutor since 2009. Although he is predominantly a criminal practitioner, Kannan's ancillary civil practice includes a specialism in advisory and advocacy work relating to public protection, including protective orders for children and vulnerable adults. He represented the Gloucestershire Constabulary and assisted them to obtain their first ever Sexual Risk Order. He also undertakes licensing appeals, particularly in relation to the control of firearms. He has additional experience in police disciplinary work. Kannan provides training to solicitors, both in-house and at open seminars on substantive law, evidence and sentencing relating to serious crime, RASSO Training and Sexual Risk Orders. He has contributed to Judicial Studies Board training, specifically in serious Sexual Offences seminars. Kannan has been involved in the training of Advocacy and Ethics for the Western Circuit in recent years. He is an approved pupil supervisor. Kannan’s scientific background and a very brief foray into the study of medicine, has assisted him where expert evidence has been in issue. This includes DNA analysis, psychiatric assessment of defendants, including where defence of "insanity" has been raised, and cross-examination of medical professionals including surgeons and an expert in equine physiology. Kannan is increasingly instructed by the Defence, on a private or publicly funded basis, to defend cases where individuals face extremely serious consequences to their liberty or reputation. His practice includes cases for the Crown and Defence which have attracted national media interest. In recent years he has regularly appeared for both Defence and Prosecution against Queen's Counsel as the sole advocate or as the leading junior or led junior. Kannan Siva joins the Inquest team with a background of two decades of practice in criminal law. He has been instructed in serious cases, including murder trials, where expert evidence has been in issue. This has included the analysis of medical evidence. His former scientific training including a year as a medical student has proved useful in cases where the analysis of cause of injury, cause of death and forensic pathology has been required.

Kate Brunner KC

Kate Brunner KC has a busy practice in crime, fraud, regulatory work and inquests. She is recognised for her detailed case preparation and effective advocacy and is recommended as being a leader in her fields by leading legal directories: 'she is the exemplary criminal barrister' (Chambers and Partners 2016). Kate acts in gross negligence cases in criminal courts, and accepts instructions in civil clinical negligence cases. Kate is instructed in family fact finding hearings where sexual abuse or serious injury is alleged. Kate is Leader of the Western Circuit. Kate set up the Western Circuit Women's Forum in 2015 with others to address lack of diversity at the Bar (click here for further information). Kate is also an associate tenant of the 36 Group, London.

Libby Harris

Having practised in South Wales for 20 years, Libby moved to Bristol and joined Albion Chambers in 2017. She practises in all areas of children law including public law, private law and adoption cases. Libby acts for local authorities, parents, children and individuals represented by the Official Solicitor. In particular she appears in cases involving serious allegations of physical abuse (including complex medical evidence), sexual abuse, fabricated illness and serious neglect. She represents vulnerable clients who themselves have been the subject of serious emotional, physical or intergenerational sexual abuse. She has acted for Independent Reviewing Officers in cases where damages are sought on behalf of children against local authorities and IROs. Libby has acted in cases concerning restriction of media reporting.

Linsey Knowles

Linsey Knowles joined Albion Chambers in December 2009 having previously practised in London at the Chambers of Stephen Hockman QC, 6 Pump Court, Temple. Linsey practises in private law children, both privately- and publicly-funded. She also has experience in public law children representing parents, grandparents and guardians. She has experience in the High Court both in matters concerning private law children, including applications for residence, contact and leave to remove.

Liz Cunningham

Liz Cunningham was called to the Bar in 1995 and practised from Albion Chambers until May 2015 when she took up a Senior Lecturer post at the University of the West of England. As head of the Employment Law Team at Albion she was counsel in a number of key Court of Appeal cases including: Devon Primary Care Trust v Readman [2013] EWCA Civ 1110 and Griffin v Plymouth Hospital NHS Trust [2014] EWCA Civ 1240. As a practioner she was recommended year after year in 'Legal 500' and 'Chambers and Partners’, being ranked in the top tier of Employment Law practioners at the time of leaving practice. She remains as an associate member of Albion, delivering training to solicitors across the South West. As an academic barrister teaching on the Bar Professional Training Course, she is the subject leader for the Civil Advocacy Module and teaches Evidence, Ethics and Employment Law. She is a member of the Western Circuit, The Employment Lawyers Association and Middle Temple. Liz is a qualified Civil and Commercial Mediator with ADR Group and is an accredited ATC advocacy trainer.

Louise Price

Louise Price has a wide range of experience in all areas of common law including a period practising as Magistrates’ Court Clerk dealing with various cases including care proceedings. She now practises exclusively in family law; in public and private children cases, and selected matrimonial finance matters. She is frequently instructed by guardians and parents in cases involving serious neglect, and physical and emotional harm, a number of which have involved leading counsel. Louise has extensive experience of representing clients with learning disabilities, often through the Official Solicitor and clients who are in need of particular sensitive care in representation.

Lucy Taylor

Lucy Taylor became a tenant in Chambers in 2018 after completing her pupillage at Albion. Her pupillage covered all areas of chambers work and her supervisors were drawn from the employment, crime and family teams. Lucy practises in these primary areas and has begun to develop her profile in Court of Protection matters as part of this growing team. Lucy is instructed for both prosecution and defence in Magistrates’ and Crown Courts across the West Country. This has given her a broad foundation in criminal litigation and court advocacy, including being instructed in Crown Court jury trials. Her instructing solicitors have particularly noted her down-to-earth approach and her real expertise and talent in dealing with youths, vulnerable witnesses and clients. Lucy has a keen interest in cases with a modern-slavery aspect and delivers seminars on the subject. She is a CPS Grade 2 prosecutor. Lucy has a growing employment practice and is instructed by claimants and respondents in equal measure. She has garnered a national practice over the last year, having been instructed for cases in Newcastle, Manchester and Leeds covering a wide range of issues. Lucy's Court of Protection case-load is increasing, appearing throughout the West Country either in-person or as part of telephone hearings. Lucy's practice includes MOJ stage 3 hearings, fast track trials, civil applications, injunctions and small claims.

Matt Jackson

Matt joined Chambers in March 2020 from 10KBW. Matt’s practice focusses primarily on employment and discrimination, crime and general civil litigation. He has extensive appellate experience up to and including the Supreme Court and is regularly instructed in complex, multi-day cases. As well as appearing regularly in the Employment and Employment Appeal Tribunals (and civil courts), Matt regularly advises on employment and non-employment discrimination cases in the First-tier Tribunal and County Court. His practice is nationwide and has acted in cases in tribunal cases in Scotland, as well as England and Wales. Matt acts for both employers and employees in multi-day discrimination, TUPE, whistleblowing, restrictive covenant and equal pay cases. Matt is a Grade 2 prosecutor and appears in the criminal courts for both the prosecution and defendants. He is often sought out in cases involving difficult points of law, as well as more straightforward proceedings.

Michael Hall

Michael Hall is a specialist criminal practitioner. He is CPS panel advocate level 4 prosecutor and is on the Attorney General’s approved list of counsel for the South Eastern and Western Circuits. Michael has appeared as a leading prosecution Counsel in cases for The Flying Squad, Middle Market Drugs Project, Kidnap Squad, Operation Trident and Central Fraud. These have included multi-handed armed robberies, Class A drugs importations and supplies, shootings and kidnappings. Other prosecution work includes attempted murders, cases of serious fraud and money laundering, rape and child abuse including one involving allegations of witchcraft. He has defended across the spectrum of criminal cases. Cases of note include a conspiracy to murder, a number of death by dangerous driving cases, conspiracies to supply Class A drugs and cases of serious violence.

Monisha Khandker

Monisha specialises in child law and is regularly instructed on behalf of local authorities, parents and children in public and private family law cases and appears in matters involving serious domestic violence, sexual abuse, child abduction and mental health issues. Monisha is also experienced in representing clients who lack capacity and have significant mental health difficulties and substance misuse issues. In 2009 Monisha was awarded the Pegasus Scholarship by Inner Temple. She spent three months working as a judicial assistant to Chief Justice Diana Bryant in the Family Court of Australia. In 2011 Monisha worked as a defence intern for the Radovan Karadzic Standby Defence Team at International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

Nicholas Sproull

Nick is the Head of the Albion Chambers Matrimonial Finance Team. He specialises in Financial Remedy cases, acting for high-net-worth individuals. He is consistently ranked in the highest band in Chambers and Partners comprising the top five practitioners on the Western Circuit, and is listed as a leading junior in the Legal 500. He regularly drafts pre-nuptial agreements and appears in courts throughout England and Wales.

Nikki Coombe

Nikki Coombe has substantial experience and expertise, both prosecuting and defending, in the full range of criminal offences including rape, offences of violence including attempted murder and manslaughter, the importation and supply of drugs, firearms offences and matters of dishonesty. Nikki is a CPS Grade 3 prosecutor and on the specialist Rape Panel. She has particular expertise dealing with vulnerable adult and child witnesses. She has also been instructed by the CPS Complex Crime Unit to prosecute complicated and multi-handed cases. Nikki studied law at Exeter University, was called in to the Bar in 1994. She has since practised criminal law in London and Oxford, before moving to the Western Circuit.

Patrick Mason

Patrick Mason is a senior lawyer with experience in both arms of the profession. Qualifying as a solicitor in 1981, after training in commercial litigation, he joined the Army and spent five years, principally in Germany, prosecuting and defending all types of case at Court Martial. In private practice thereafter, as a solicitor, he worked as a criminal legal aid lawyer and duty solicitor, as a civil litigator, family and property lawyer. After gaining higher rights as a solicitor, Patrick was transferred to the Bar, being called in 1997. In practice at the Bar since then, Patrick has developed a strong Crown Court practice in all types of cases, with a predominantly defence-based practice including: homicide, serious violence, serious sex cases, firearms cases, drugs and tobacco trafficking, as well as a wide range of less serious matters. Patrick has acted as leading junior in a number of cases. He is a highly experienced and respected trial advocate with a reputation for having particular talents with juries. Patrick undertakes Magistrates Court trials, prosecuting and defending in unusual or complex matters, with a particular emphasis on matters in involving animals and hunting. He also undertakes prosecution and defence cases relating to listed buildings. As an experienced Court Martial practitioner, he has defended many cases in all three arms of the services, at home, in Germany and in Cyprus. These have included serious civil offences prosecuted by the DSP, as well as more technical service disciplinary offences. Patrick is an experienced Court of Appeal practitioner, having undertaken many appeals against conviction and sentence. He is available to give advice on appeal on all types of offences. Patrick accepts instructions in regulatory prosecutions in the Magistrates and Crown courts. He has conducted numerous appeals against the revocation of firearms and shotgun certificates for appellants and respondents. He has acted in the High Court for a defendant in an Education Act prosecution.

Philip Smith

Philip joined Chambers in September 2018 after the successful completion of his pupillage. Prior to pupillage, Philip spent time working in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in a large firm of solicitors dealing with an array of legal issues, but with a strong focus on corporate law, including advising on cross-border disputes and corporate-management issues. Upon his return to the UK, Philip worked as a self-employed County Court Advocate for a number of years and appeared in approximately 1,000 hearings dealing with a wide range of civil matters in courts across the South West and beyond. Philip undertakes a broad and busy civil practice and is regularly instructed in fast-track trials in addition to the full spectrum of civil applications, including in the High Court. Building on his experience prior to coming to the Bar, Philip also maintains a broad property practice. He is regularly instructed to advise in residential landlord and tenant matters, and attends possession hearings (including mortgage possession) in the County Court. Philip has particular experience in advising small-scale landlords in the context of increasing regulation and legal complexity when dealing with such matters as rental deposits and the changes introduced under the Deregulation Act 2015, particularly their impact when seeking possession. Philip also accepts instructions to appear in the First-Tier Tribunal Property Chamber. He has appeared at Tribunal in relation to various matters, including disputes concerning reasonableness of service charges and objections to first registration of land referred to the Tribunal by HM Land Registry. Philip has a growing PI practice and accepts instructions on behalf of claimants and defendants. Philip is regularly instructed in fast-track and multi-track cases and interlocutory hearings. He is also experienced in advising on liability, quantum, Part 36 offers and in respect of procedural matters. Philip is regularly instructed in matrimonial finance, representing clients at all stages of proceedings from first hearing appointments through to final hearing.

Philip Baggley

Philip Baggley specialises in child law including public and private children and injunctive proceedings.

Philippa Eastwood

Philippa is an established criminal defence advocate, regularly instructed in complex and significant cases. In representing those accused in diverse cases from murder to drug conspiracies and cheating the public revenue, she has built a reputation for meticulous case preparation, strategic thinking, and determined and incisive defending. Philippa has particular expertise in financial crime and in Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 cases, including the restraint, recovery, forfeiture or confiscation of assets. She has conducted substantial and high-profile cases of fraud, money laundering and bribery and is ranked in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for her specialism in fraud. She has gained recognition for her strength in marshalling and managing voluminous material, exacting case preparation, and intelligent and pithy advocacy. She has experience in representing and advising both individual and corporate clients.

Rachael Morton

Rachael joined Albion Chambers in Spring 2018 and specialises in all areas of public law concerning children. Prior to moving to the South West, the majority of her career was spent at 4 Brick Court from where she obtained a loyal client base in London and in the provinces. An experienced and capable practitioner, Rachael is known for her attention to detail in case preparation and for her persuasive advocacy. Though focussed and tenacious, she achieves a high level of collaboration and professional rapport with colleagues, regardless of who she represents. This approach has ensured that she is respected by the Judiciary, her opponents and clients, whether lay or professional. Local Authorities have relied on Rachael’s thorough case preparation to advise on evidence and ensure that findings of fact are pursued on the merits. She is instructed in the knowledge that she will ensure that the case will be argued appropriately, that team members with differing views and approaches will be handled with respect and understanding, that opponents and tribunals will be managed well and that an appropriate outcome will be achieved. Solicitors for parents and interveners have instructed Rachael for her strong advocacy, both inside and outside the Court room, for her empathy and ability to relate in a way that inspires the client’s confidence and regard. She is at ease with clients experiencing the most profound social and psychological difficulties and will always ensure that parents have their case put persuasively, with clarity, focus and skill. Rachael has frequently been instructed to represent children whose Guardians have radically different visions for care cases. She is known for her fearless capacity to challenge expert psychiatric and psychological evidence and is well versed at mediating between discordant professionals and achieving creative resolutions.

Richard English

Richard was in practice for over eight years prior to relocating to Australia. He subsequently built a successful career in the finance sector, holding senior executive roles specialising in private wealth, corporate advisory and private equity. This professional experience equips Richard with a high level of commercial acumen that compliments his negotiation and advocacy skills. He returns to Chambers with a specialist focus on matrimonial finance.

Robert Morgan-Jones

Robert Morgan-Jones practises in Criminal and Regulatory Law. He joined Albion Chambers in 2015, having formerly practised for 22 years as a Solicitor (dealing with criminal and regulatory Law work). Robert is regularly instructed to both prosecute and defend in cases involving serious violence, drug offences, dishonesty and fraud, firearms matters, sexual offences and road traffic matters (with a particular interest in tachograph cases). Robert has a wide experience of dealing with cases involving mental health issues and disposals, and extensive experience in dealing with young defendants/witnesses and those with learning difficulties. Robert has considerable experience in prosecutions brought by the Environment Agency and VOSA. Training:

Rupert Russell

Rupert joined Albion from Carmelite Chambers in London in 2018 where he specialised in defending complex fraud. Since joining chambers, Rupert has built up a busy general criminal practice as well as maintaining his fraud expertise. He is equally confident prosecuting and defending a wide range of work, including organised crime, serious violence and sexual offences. Rupert is a CPS panel advocate level 2 prosecutor. He is also appointed to the specialist Regulatory List C for advocates prosecuting Health & Safety and Environmental Law. In 2017, Rupert completed a secondment at the white-collar crime department of leading law firm Arnold and Porter Kaye Scholer, where he advised clients involved in one of the SFO’s biggest ever bribery investigations into corrupt payments made by oil contractors to the Iraqi government. Rupert is appointed to the specialist Regulatory List C for advocates prosecuting Health & Safety and Environmental Law. Rupert is regularly instructed by Gloucestershire Police in proceedings for civil orders such as Domestic Violence Protection Orders and Closure Orders.

Sarah Pope

Sarah specialises in complex public and private law children proceedings and the law relating to incapacitated adults in the Court of Protection. Sarah joined Albion Chambers in 2014, having practised in London for over 20 years. She is an experienced trial advocate, is quick witted and fights her client’s corner. Clients and instructing solicitors have praised her for her client care skills, her meticulous preparation, her effective cross-examination and her “incisive”, “straight talking” approach. A significant proportion of Sarah’s work arises through personal recommendation. Sarah was a solicitor for over 10 years before she transferred to the Bar. During this time she founded Wilkinson Pope, a niche family law practice in Islington. On her transfer to the Bar she joined 14 Gray’s Inn Square (now Fourteen), where she was instructed by some of London’s leading specialist family law firms and where she continues as a Door Tenant. Public Access: Sarah is licensed under the Public Access rules and her previous experience as a solicitor makes her particularly well placed to undertake this type of work. Sarah has extensive experience of acting for all parties in private law and public law children proceedings and therefore of assessing each case from every angle. Having been a member of the Law Society Children Panel for many years, she is a popular choice with Guardians. Sarah’s practice in care proceedings encompasses the full range of issues including child death, NAI, intrafamilial sexual abuse, fabricated illness, learning disability, teenage pregnancy and concurrent criminal proceedings. Sarah is also experienced in cases involving fact finding, wardship, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and cases with an international element. In private law cases Sarah offers pragmatism and a solution-based approach. Sarah undertakes work in the Court of Protection. She covers a broad range of areas under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, with an emphasis on health and welfare issues, as well as cases in the High Court’s jurisdiction in relation to vulnerable adults. Her work includes: Personal welfare applications, Serious medical treatment applications, Section 21A applications challenging authorisations of deprivation of liberty in a care home or hospital under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), Emergency applications, Advising on local authority safeguarding duties and on the community care law issues arising in Court of Protection cases, Contested applications for the appointment of deputies (welfare/financial affairs), and other property and affairs applications, Proceedings concerning 16 and 17 year olds, and the overlapping jurisdictions of the Court of Protection and Children Act 1989.

Sarah Regan

A specialist in criminal law, Sarah has an established practice in both prosecution and defence work, often prosecuting as a sole and leading junior in cases defended by Queen’s Counsel. She is a CPS Grade 4 Prosecutor, a member of the Specialist Rape and Serious Crime Group Panels and is regularly briefed on behalf of the Complex Casework Unit. Sarah specialises in cases of serious sexual and violent assault and those involving victims of domestic abuse, although she has substantial experience of the full range of criminal offences including manslaughter and murder. She is regularly briefed in cases with vulnerable, young, or traumatised victims and/or defendants, as well as cases involving witnesses or defendants with severe mental-health and psychological issues. She has substantial experience of cases requiring special measures to assist one of the parties, including the use of intermediaries and applications for anonymity or for evidence to be given from a remote location. She is regularly requested to advise on issues of fitness to plead and stand trial, as well as the availability of the defence of insanity and other mental health defences. She has a respected practice prosecuting public officials for misconduct such as police and prison officers. Sarah has an interest in cases involving novel and complex issues of disclosure and has substantial experience of cases involving issues of PII.

Simon Cooper

Simon joined Albion Chambers in 2017 and practises exclusively in family law, both public and private law, Court of Protection and Mental Health work. Prior to being called to the Bar, Simon was a partner in a firm that specialised in representing those with mental-health difficulties. As a solicitor he practised in family, mental health and Court of Protection work, leading the firm’s family law team. Simon was a member of the Law Society’s specialist mental-health panel. He regularly represented clients before Mental Health Tribunals and acted for those detained at medium and high secure units including patients at Broadmoor special hospital. Given his depth of experience, Simon is often instructed in cases where a party to the proceedings has mental-health difficulties or is otherwise vulnerable. Simon is a highly-experienced advocate, his skills having been developed over many years at the Criminal Bar, where he gained particular expertise in dealing with vulnerable clients and those requiring a particularly sensitive or patient approach. He acted for both prosecution and defence in cases of the utmost seriousness including murder, terrorism and serious sexual offences, and honed skills that he now deploys in often highly contentious civil cases. Simon is recognised for his thorough preparation and his ability to manage the most challenging of cases, situations and clients. Simon acts on behalf of Local Authorities and private individuals and appears for Guardians and the Official Solicitor. Simon is a trustee of Bristol Mind, having previously been a trustee of Mind in Taunton and South Somerset.

Simranjit Kamal

Simran joined Chambers in October 2020 after successful completion of her common law pupillage. Since her Second Six, Simran built a strong practice successfully prosecuting and defending a wide range of offences in the Crown and Magistrates Court. Alongside jury trials, Simran was frequently instructed in sentences, appeals and PTPH’s at the Crown Court. Simran is a CPS Grade 2 Prosecutor and is able to handle vulnerable witnesses with sensitivity. Simran also undertakes a number of private law cases and often appears for parents in all stages of disputes over contact, residence and domestic abuse. Simran often conducts multiple day Fact-Finding Hearings and Final Hearings, as well as non-molestation order and occupation order disputes. Simran is recognised for being approachable, considerate and pragmatic. From January 2022, Simran is specialising in Private Family (including Matrimonial Finance), though she has a keen interest in Court of Protection, Employment and Inquest work.

Sophie Knapp

Sophie Knapp is a specialist practitioner, acting for both applicants and respondents in all areas of Family Law. Sophie has particular expertise in both public and private Children Law, specifically acting for local authorities, mothers, fathers, Childrens’ Guardians and other family members (such as Grandparents and step-parents). Many of her cases have involved allegations of sexual, physical or emotional abuse of children mainly arising out of alcohol/substance abuse, but also cases where domestic violence, mental health/depression, Factitious Illness Syndrome and poor cognitive ability have been issues. Sophie is an Accredited Mediator.

Sorrel Dixon

Sorrel Dixon joined Albion Chambers in late 2016 after relocating from London. She practices exclusively in Child Law. Sorrel covers all proceedings relating to children including private law disputes and adoption. Her main specialism is in the area of non-accidental injury and child sexual abuse.

Stephen Roberts

Stephen transferred to the Bar in 2002 having practised as a solicitor from 1980 until 2002 and is an experienced family law and employment law practitioner. In employment law, Stephen appears in Employment Tribunals, the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the High Court. He has also conducted employment cases in the Court of Appeal. Stephen is frequently instructed in cases involving: Unfair dismissal, Public interest disclosure cases including local government and education, Discrimination – race, sex, age, disability, Equal pay claims, Wrongful dismissal, Breach of contract claims including bonus and share option claims, TUPE, Pensions claims. Stephen’s High Court and County Court practice includes restrictive covenant work, professional negligence claims and judicial review. He is also instructed in regulatory and disciplinary panel work, appearing before sports panels and arbitration committees. Stephen has extensive experience in all aspects of public law children work. As a solicitor he was a member of the Law Society’s children panel for 14 years, and also regularly acted as agent acting for the local authority, including conducting wardship cases. Since transferring to the Bar, Stephen has conducted a wide range of public law children cases including: Serious injury and sexual abuse cases involving complex contested evidence, Serious neglect cases, Complex care cases for local authorities, Cases involving the Official Solicitor. His experience extends to appearances in the Court of Appeal. He also regularly appears on behalf of Children’s Guardians including a high-profile case reported in 2009 involving extremely complex evidential issues relating to the conduct of a local authority team manager. In matrimonial finance, Stephen is regularly instructed in all aspects of ancillary relief including high net-worth claims and business assets, Schedule 1 applications and TOLATA claims.

Stuart Fuller

For the majority of his 27 years as a solicitor Stuart specialised in children law, having been a member of the Children Panel since 1985 and conducting advocacy at FPC, County Court and High Court levels. Following his transfer to the Bar in March 2007 he practised at 4 Brick Court (the chambers of Janet Mitchell), a specialist family law set in London, until joining Albion Chambers in August 2010. Since 2007 he has appeared on a number of occasions in the Court of Appeal and once in the House of Lords. He has many years’ experience in both public and private law children work, with a particular interest in the former. He travels widely representing parents, children (on direct instructions and through Children’s Guardians), local authorities and other parties in care proceedings, other public law Children Act work and applications concerning adoption. He has frequently been involved in lengthy and complex fact-finding hearings relating to child deaths, non-accidental head injury, other serious physical abuse and sexual abuse. He also has experience of Hague Convention international abduction cases. Stuart believes strongly in the benefits of early involvement in proceedings, of continuity of representation and of working as a team with his clients and instructing solicitors. He has experience as a leading junior and he often finds himself opposed by Queen’s Counsel.

Tanya Zabihi

Tanya joined Albion Chambers in January 2017. She has over 27 years of experience working in the field of children and family law and is regularly instructed by local authorities, parents, guardians and adopters. Tanya also specialises in child, education and court of protection direct access work. Tanya is the former chairperson of the Bristol Family Law Bar Association. Tanya's specialisms include: Care proceedings, Care proceedings with an educational element, Special educational needs tribunals, Residence and contact, Adoption, Emergency procedures, Child abduction and jurisdictional issues, Financial provision for children. Before moving to the independent Bar, Tanya was an employed advocate at a leading County Council in Greater London and also in private practice, heading the Children Team at a legal 500 rated firm. As well as acting as a solicitor advocate for parents, local authorities and children in private and public law proceedings, she was also instructed as a legal adviser to the Adoption Panel, the Area Child Protection Committee and undertook the training of social workers and multi-disciplinary professionals in all aspects of child protection and court work. Tanya also took part in numerous Part 8 Enquiries as the legal adviser. This background has given her practice a unique edge in Children related cases. Tanya returned to the Bar in 2005 and now specialises in Public law children matters - representing local authorities, parents and children cases involving sexual abuse, severe neglect, factitious illness, human rights issues, non-accidental injury ("baby-shaking cases"), including child death and mental health issues. Tanya regularly trains social workers, solicitors and other multi-disciplinary professionals in matters of Child Protection. Alongside her very busy Child Law Practice, Tanya has developed a Court of Protection practice, an area which she has an avid and passionate interest in. Having specialised in Children’s cases for over 27 years, she has represented many vulnerable and incapacitous parents in care proceedings which have involved the appointment of the Official Solicitor. In addition, she has been involved in numerous cases concerning young persons where declarations of deprivation of liberty have had to be sought. Tanya has also been involved in numerous cases where serious mental health problems have been an issue. Since developing her practice in Court of Protection work she has provided representation to local authorities and family members in cases involving: Personal welfare applications, S16 Applications Section 21A applications challenging authorisations of deprivation of liberty, Applications for the, Appointment of deputies (welfare/financial affairs), and other property and affairs applications, Proceedings concerning the overlap between the Court of Protection and Children Act 1989.

Tim Baldwin

Tim Baldwin is a busy, dedicated civil and public law practitioner in court of protection and community care, inquests, regulatory enforcement, especially in respect of enforcement of housing standards in the private sector and planning, and landlord and tenant law. He is ranked in Chambers UK as a leading junior for social housing, and is identified as a leading junior in four categories of law in the Legal 500 for social housing, court of protection and community care, civil liberties and human rights and planning. Tim is an editor of the Community Care Law Reports for the Legal Action Group. He has co-authored a number of articles in Landlord and Tenant Review and Legal Action on evictions and the Localism Act 2011. He co-authored the Housing Act 2004: A Practical Guide, 2005 and The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003: A Special Bulletin. He contributed a chapter on Inquests in Children’s Social Care Law, authored by Stephen Knafler QC. (2018) for Legal Action Group. Tim provides seminars and bespoke training to solicitors on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 including Deprivation of Liberty, Care Act 2014, mental health law, treatment in the NHS, community care, welfare benefits and equality, prison law and Judicial Review. Before starting practice Tim was a research assistant in the Public Law Team at the Law Commission, where he worked on reform of housing and local authority law. Also he worked as a part-time lecturer at King’s College London and the University of Westminster Law Schools. Tim worked as an administrator and researcher at the Public Law Project prior to his legal education and training. Prior to his legal career Tim trained and worked as a scientist specialising in molecular biology and brain development. Tim was a Hardwicke, Thomas More and Cassell scholar of Lincoln’s Inn. He has appeared in a number of reported cases in the Court of Appeal, High Court, Upper Tribunal, as well as significant inquests. Tim is appointed to the panel of preferred counsel for the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Tim is also a tenant of Garden Court Chambers, London.

Timothy Hills

Timothy Hills is a criminal law specialist undertaking prosecution and defence work and is a CPS panel advocate level 2 prosecutor.

William Heckscher

William has specialised in family law since completing his pupillage at One Garden Court in London. After two years practising on the North Western circuit, William joined Albion Chambers in January 2009. In public law children matters, William acts for local authorities, parents, guardians and members of the extended family. He frequently represents clients with learning difficulties and those assisted by the Official Solicitor when his calm and sensitive approach is a recognised asset. In private law children cases, William is frequently involved in fact-finding hearings involving allegations of significant domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Yasmine El-Nazer

Yasmine joined Albion Chambers as a tenant in November 2017 after the successful completion of her third six pupillage. Prior to joining Chambers, Yasmine completed her pupillage in a specialist family set in South Wales. She practises in all areas of family work. After completing the BPTC course in 2015, Yasmine worked as a paralegal in the NHS department at Hugh James law firm in Cardiff. Following this, Yasmine was selected for a three-month internship at Tilleke Gibbons in Bangkok and worked in all areas of intellectual property law disputes. On her arrival back in the UK, Yasmine continued to utilise her advocacy skills and worked as a County Court Advocate, which included regularly appearing in civil matters across Wales and the South West. She did this alongside volunteering on a weekly basis at the Personal Support Unit in Cardiff Civil justice Centre and supporting and assisting litigants in persons in family and debt disputes.

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