Albion Chambers

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.

Called 2007; Inner Temple. Admitted as a solicitor 1980.

FLBA, ALC, Western Circuit

MA (Cantab)