9 Park Place

Family/Matrimonial

Year of Call: 1992
Year of Silk: 2021

Clerk: Michael Lieberman

Kate specialises in all aspects of public and private law children work. Her cases include significant deliberately inflicted injuries, death, penetrative sexual abuse and poisoning.

Recent reported cases include:

Re Swansea CC v 11 Respondents [2022] EWFC 12 (04 March 2022) a case concerning multiple and varied allegations of abuse involving inter-connected families.

Re AA & 25 ors (Children) [2019] EWFC 64 a case in which her client was exonerated after defending allegations that she was part of a paedophile ring;

Re P & N [2019] EWHC 421 a private law case involving the use of section 91(14).

Kate has drafted protocols for several local authorities and for the West Wales Safeguarding Children Board. She has provided legal advice throughout a child practice review involving the death of a child and advised the Regional Child Care Special Interest Group. Additionally Kate is a member of the national Public Law Working Group.

Chambers UK 2022 reports that Kate is an experienced advocate with a strong child care practice. She frequently represents Local Authorities but also has experience acting for guardians, parents and prospective adopters in complex care cases. She handles serious charges such as head injuries, neglect and sexual abuse, as well as advising on adoption issues.

Kate is consistently recommended in Legal 500 and in Chambers UK.

Chambers UK 2020 describes her in the following terms:

"She is extremely thorough and diligent. Kate is an effective advocate with an exacting eye for detail."

"Her reassuring manner is perfect for highly emotional cases where children are involved."

Previous editions have reported:

'User-friendly and an exceptionally effective advocate.' 'She is well respected and has an excellent court manner.'

'She is consistently excellent and a reassuring presence for the client.'

"I find her very professional, she always knows her case well and is an excellent advocate."

"She is calm, client-friendly and very sharp." "She goes the extra mile. Clients feel very comfortable with her and she gets them where she needs to be."

Kate is a member of the FLBA.

FLBA