Also Oxford (0844 561 7135). John specialises in children’s law, both public and private. In the public law sphere he represents all parties at all levels and has particular expertise in cases involving complex medical evidence. In the private law sphere, John has a particular interest in cases involving implacable hostility, issues of identity, and removal from the jurisdiction. In addition, John has wide experience of the inherent ‘best interests’ jurisdiction, having appeared in such cases for parents, subjects and the Official Solicitor. John is an IFLA accredited Children Law arbitrator. John is also a member of St John's Buildings Chambers in Manchester and Liverpool and a member of 9 Park Place in Cardiff.

In the last year John has appeared in numerous cases in the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court:

Other important cases include: Re P (care orders: injunctive relief) [2000] 2 FLR 385; Hale v Tanner [2000] 2 FLR 879 (Court of Appeal); Re ET (serious injuries: standard of proof) [2003] 2 FLR 1205; A County Council v DP, RS BS [2005] 2 FLR 1031; and Re H (residence order: placement out of jurisdiction) [2006] 1 FLR 1140. John Vater QC is also at 9 Park Place Chambers (Chambers of Paul Hopkins QC).

Called 1994, Gray’s Inn. Publications of note: co-author of ‘Contact: The New Deal’ (Jordans 2006); ‘The Public Law Outline: The Court Companion’ (Jordans 2008); appointed QC 2012.

FLBA; ALC; Legal Action Group,  MCIArb (Children Law, Institute of Family Law Arbitrators).

Birkenhead School; St Peter’s College, Oxford University (1993 Jurisprudence 2(1)).

Fly-fishing, Italy, Liverpool FC.