Court of Protection - Vulnerable Adult; Inquests and Inquiries; International Children Law; Private Children Law; Public Children Law

Cleo is a specialist children’s law barrister and public law barrister, who represents parents and children in all levels of court. She is widely recognised for her expert handling of difficult cases involving complex evidence, allegations of violence or abuse and cases involving an international element, including removal from the jurisdiction.  Her sensitive manner with clients combined with her advocacy, described in the directories variously as “awesome”, “tenacious”, “effective” and “devastating”, enable her to support her clients successfully through domestic and international litigation.  Cleo is also in demand within public law, particularly in cases where the local authority is involved, including those with complex factual backgrounds and significant allegations of harm.  Cleo also has a significant public inquiry practice, representing parties in long-running and complex public inquiries.

Cleo represents parents and children in disputes concerning children’s living, contact and specific arrangements both domestically and internationally.  She brings strategic thinking and a calm but firm approach to contentious cases, and has considerable experience of cases involving allegations of violence, harm, or those involving disputed medical evidence.  Her case load is both domestic and international, and she is experienced in dealing with cross-jurisdictional issues, including international adoption, applications to remove children from the jurisdiction and child abduction. Cleo speaks French and Italian.

In her public inquiry practice Cleo has acted in the following long running public inquiries and investigations:

Cleo acted as leading counsel in the following matters:

For the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in Child Protection in Religious Organisations and Settings (IICSA) From 2017 – 2020. For the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in Accountability and Reparations (IICSA) from 2017 – 2018. For the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in Child Sexual Exploitation by Organised Networks from 2017 – 2020.

And as junior counsel in the following inquiry:

For Lambeth Council in the Lambeth Council investigation (IICSA) from 2016 – 2020.

In her public law practice Cleo is recognised for her skilful and professional handling of complex cases.  She represents children, parents and local authorities, and deals with cases involving intricate legal issues, including international and domestic adoption, child fatalities and significant abuse, including historical sexual abuse or multiple injuries.  She also has expertise in cases concerning radicalisation and in particular families returning from IS controlled Syria.

Year of Call: 2000 Year of Silk: 2020

French, Italian.

Family Law Bar Association Association of Lawyers for Children Gray’s Inn South Eastern Circuit Resolution

MA Law (Cantab) Qualified Collaborative La