Children Law, Family Finance, Court of Protection & Adult Care, and Commercial & Chancery

Call 2002

North Eastern CircuitFamily Law Bar Association

Children Law

Mark Saunders has a very strong track record dealing with cases involving children, both in care proceedings and disputes between parents.

In public-law proceedings, Mark regularly represents a range of local authorities as well as acting for parents and the child. He has dealt with cases involving non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse, issues surrounding jurisdiction of the court, parents with learning disabilities, and substance misuse.

Although Mark is instructed in applications by parents for child arrangement orders, he specialises in complicated private-law proceedings. He is generally instructed in cases where there are welfare issues affecting the children, such as domestic violence, physical abuse, sexual abuse or child abduction.

He has also represented clients where there have been attempts to frustrate the time spent with a child or children. He is experienced in cases with an international element, including applications for leave to remove a child/children from the jurisdiction as well as issues that have arisen as to the jurisdiction of the English court.

Family FinanceMark is regularly instructed in applications for financial provision, from smaller money cases involving complicated factual and legal issues through to cases where substantial money or complicated assets are involved.

Mark has extensive experience in applications under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 and Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989. In the main, he is instructed to appear in these proceedings at either the hearing for maintenance pending suit (MPS), at the FDR or at the final hearing.

He has particular expertise in instructions for multiple-day final hearings where there are either significant factual issues in dispute or extensive assets (such as complicated pension assets, extensive expert reports or international elements).

Court of Protection & Adult CareMark has a growing practice in the Court of Protection. He has particular interest in deprivation of liberty (DOL) issues following recent new guidance and cases involving issues related to finances.

Commercial & ChanceryMark has strong experience in cases involving the Inheritance Act & TOLATA, linked to his expertise in family law applications.

He has been involved in a number of cases involving children not properly provided-for by a deceased parent and cohabitation disputes over property between unmarried parties.

2001Corpus Christi College, Cambridge University, Law

2002Inns of Court School of Law, BVC (Very Competent)