Guy Swiffen

Guy has been at the Bar since 1991 and has practised exclusively in the field of children law for over 20 years. He began his career in London and then moved to the North of England in the late 1990s. Since then he has forged a heavyweight practise which takes him to all parts of the North of England dealing with many of the most complex cases being heard in the region.

Having been described as a “bright and stunningly good junior”, Guy is known to be an incisively devastating cross examiner. Over the years his practise has taken him to developing the forensic skills to challenge the analyses and opinions of medical experts in the witness box. Complimenting his forensic skills is an excellent knowledge of the legislation and case law. He is happy to operate at all court levels: he has had the experience of taking a case all the way to the House of Lords. He prides himself on having a friendly and approachable relationship with clients and solicitors alike.

In care proceedings, he has extensive experience in representing local authorities throughout the North of England in complex proceedings, including against Leading Counsel. He also has a substantial body of work representing parents and other family members, including those with physical and learning disabilities, as well as Guardians and the Official Solicitor. His practise often deals with child fatalities as well as physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

Guy also has a substantial practise in all aspects of private children work. This includes applications to remove children from the jurisdiction, child abduction, and applications for Child Arrangement Orders, including internal relocation. He has extensive experience in making emergency applications, often before High Court Judges, as well as dealing with issues of a jurisdictional complexity.

He often acts against QCs as a leading Junior, leading both Junior Counsel and solicitors.

BA (Hons) History, Reading University

Dip. City University, London