Park Square Barristers

Children Law

Court of Protection & Adult Care

Caroline is the Head of the Court of Protection Team at Park Square Barristers.

Caroline is an experienced practitioner who practices in mental capacity law in both welfare (social and medical) and property and affairs matters.

She is a strong advocate who regularly appears in the High Court, Court of Protection, and the Family Court. She has particular experience in dealing with deprivation of liberty matters which involve young people whose needs are considered under the Inherent Jurisdiction and subsequently transferred to the Court of Protection; and matters involving the interplay of issues arising from the applicability of the Mental Health Act 1983 and Care Act 2014.

Caroline's practice in property and affairs matters involves disputes relating to LPAs, Deputyship Orders and related applications, providing representation for private individuals and local authorities. Her experience in welfare matters, and background in family law, gives her a valuable insight into the impact of "coercive control" as it relates to financial matters and the difficulties for vulnerable parties in navigating the legal process.

Caroline is published in the Family Law Journal where she discusses medical treatment decisions, and the relationship between diagnoses and assessments of capacity: “A Paternalistic Approach to Capacity: who ‘controls’ when someone may take their own life” [2023] Fam Law 660 June 2023; and “Pregnant Women and the Court of Protection” to be published in the December 2024 issue.

Clients include individual applicants, including via the Official Solicitor; government departments; and NHS Trusts.

Caroline is also a regular speaker at seminar and training events and can provide bespoke training for professional clients.

Caroline is respected by judges and colleagues for the quality of her written submissions and case preparation, and is well liked by clients for her robust but sensitive approach.  Instructing solicitors appreciate her consistency in communication and willingness to tackle difficult issues.

Caroline has completed the Bar Council’s Vulnerable Witness training, having originally arranged training for family barristers in 2016/2017 when she was the secretary of the North Eastern Circuit FLBA. 

Caroline has dual UK/Australian nationality, and completed her undergraduate studies in Sydney before returning to the UK to focus on a legal career.  She was called to the bar by the Middle Temple in 2006, commencing pupillage in London shortly thereafter.  Since 2009 Caroline has been based in Leeds, and has been a member of chambers since 2010.  Caroline has been Head of the Court of Protection Team at Park Square Barristers since 2022.  She is also a pupil supervisor to COP and Family pupils, her recent pupil joining chambers as a tenant in 2023. 

Children Law

Caroline is a family law specialist.  She has practiced family law, and family-related civil law, since 2008.  She represents local authorities, parents and children’s guardians in both public and private children law applications.

Care proceedings

Caroline is an experienced practitioner who is instructed in complex care proceedings before the High Court, including applications under the inherent jurisdiction (for example, in respect of applications for deprivation of liberty (DOL) and recovery of children abroad) and at circuit judge level, in matters involving allegations of fabricated illness, historic sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, neglect, non-accidental injury and significant drug and alcohol abuse; and jurisdictional issues. She represents parents, children (as instructed by CAFCASS), interveners and local authorities, and is experienced in working with vulnerable adults and those affected by disability. She has been judicially commended for the quality of her written submissions and case preparation, and is well liked by clients for her robust but sensitive approach. Instructing solicitors appreciate her consistency in communication and willingness to tackle difficult issues on behalf of her clients.

Private law

Caroline is regularly instructed in private family law matters, including private law applications concerning the welfare and living arrangements for children; applications under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003; Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007; Family Law Act 1986 &1996; Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (civil), both at short notice and for trial.

Training

Caroline is available to provide training via chambers.

Caroline has been a keen supporter of the wellbeing initiative within Chambers.  She was responsible for organising a wellbeing and back-to-work seminar run by Wendy Showell Nicholas, psychotherapist, to address the concerns of working or returning to work during the pandemic whilst also managing other caring commitments.

Caroline has been a mentor via BPP.

Call 2006

Appointments: 2008–2012 Conducted cases for the Bar Pro Bono Unit

2011–2014 Secretary of the North Eastern Circuit Family Law Bar Association

2014–2017 Secretary of the Yorkshire Region of the Family Law Bar Association

Family Law Bar Association North Eastern Circuit

2008–2013 Affiliate member of Resolution

2001 University of Sydney, Australia, BA (Hons) English

2005 London Metropolitan University, PGDip in Law

2006 College of Law, BVC