AREAS OF EXPERTISE Adoption Care & Supervision Child Arrangement Court of Protection Family Relocation Internal and Abroad About Introduction Qualifications Languages Memberships Direct Access

Ann is an experienced advocate, appearing in all levels of court and in complex care, placement and adoption proceedings, representing local authorities, parents and children. 

She has significant experience in EPOs; education supervision orders; care and supervision orders; secure accommodation orders; designation disputes; discharge of care orders; placement and adoption orders; revocation applications; and special guardianship. She represents parties in cases involving allegations of inflicted injuries, sexual abuse and fabricated and induced illness and domestic violence.  She represents parents with mental health problems (including capacity to litigate), drug and alcohol problems and with learning or physical disabilities.   She has represented local authorities in designation disputes, disclosure applications and in criminal courts in applications for third-party disclosure of social work records.   She represents parents in private law proceedings including Child Arrangements Orders, parental responsibility, prohibited steps orders, specific issues orders, domestic violence and fact-finding and leave to remove from the jurisdiction and child abduction.

Before becoming a barrister, Ann was a practising solicitor, qualifying in 1995 and gaining higher rights of audience in 2009. She developed expertise as a family lawyer, representing parents, extended family members and children in care, and advising on private law and adoption proceedings. 

Ann represented Islington’s legal department on the steering group responsible for setting up the Family Drug and Alcohol Court. She also served as one or two members of the advocates’ team for the London Borough of Islington

Call 2014; solicitor 1995.

A very good advocate with an excellent knowledge of family law. Her preparation for cases is thorough and her written submissions are very impressive.

Basic French and Spanish

Family Law Bar Association, Association of Lawyers for Children.

Higher Rights of Audience (Civil) 2009

BSc (Hons) Leeds 1984

Common Professional Examination 1992

Law Society Finals 1993