St Ives Chambers

stiveschambers.co.uk

Aadhithya Anbahan is a Barrister specialising in Regulatory and Housing law. Aadhithya’s approachable and likeable manner accompanies her reputation as a confident, forthright and fearless advocate for her clients. She is noted for her methodical and analytical approach alongside meticulous preparation. Aadhithya regularly appears in the full range of housing matters before the High Court, Circuit Court, District Judges, Magistrates and Youth Court. She is well equipped at dealing with all aspects of housing law, including proceedings relating to possession, injunction, contempt, committal and closure orders. She also enjoys a wide and varied regulatory practice, through which she has represented education boards, local authorities and the police in a range of hearings from closure orders and non-police prosecutions to parole board hearings and tribunal matters. Aadhithya is often instructed in a range of regulatory matters before the Magistrates and Crown Court and is well-versed in the conduct, law and procedure of such cases. Aadhithya recently successfully prosecuted the first trial under Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Aadhithya is considered to be an eloquent, articulate and persuasive advocate with gravitas beyond her years. She is noted as having a professional and affable manner with clients, solicitors and judges alike. Those instructing her are willing to trust Aadhithya with cases well beyond her call due to her keen eye for detail, client care, impeccable conduct and preparation.

Andrew Day

Andrew Day is a Barrister specialising in Arbitration and Family (finance). He is an established family law specialist with extensive experience of dealing with financial disputes between separating spouses, civil partners and unmarried couples, under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, the Civil Partnership Act 2004, the Children Act 1989 and the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.He is regularly instructed in cases of significant legal or factual complexity, both where the parties’ means are substantial and where the available resources are more modest, to advise and to appear in the High Court and in the Family Court, nationwide, at all stages of proceedings, at first instance and on appeal.Andrew’s practice includes Arbitration, within which he has extensive experience of dealing with financial disputes between separating spouses, civil partners and unmarried couples, under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, the Civil Partnership Act 2004, the Children Act 1989 and the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.

Angela Houston

Angela qualified as a solicitor in 1992 and has 25 years of experience practising exclusively in the field of children’s law. Angela became a member of the Children’s Panel in 1999 and has extensive experience of dealing with complex cases in law proceedings involving allegations of sexual abuse and non-accidental injuries. Throughout her career Angela has acted for parents, children and local authorities and undertook most of her own advocacy from initial hearing through to final hearings gaining a reputation as an able and effective advocate.

Annabel Hamilton

Annabel Hamilton is a Barrister specialising in Family law (both public and private). She regularly acts in all areas of private law children work, including injunctive proceedings involving serious domestic violence and abuse.In public law proceedings, Annabel acts for local authorities, guardians, parents and grandparents at all stages of proceedings.

Basharat Hussain

Year of Call: 1997With his wealth of knowledge and understanding of Indian subcontinent cultures Basharat is particularly sought after in cases where there are sensitive cultural and religious considerations. He has a natural ability to ensure that vulnerable clients and those going through the emotional stress of court proceedings are guided with compassion and offers realistic and sensible advice. Basharat has always adopted a collaborative approach and works closely with professionals and solicitors to achieve the best outcomes for clients.Basharat is able to accept instructions on a direct access basis.

Carol Binnion

Carol was a solicitor for 25 years prior to being called to the Bar in 2010 when she joined St Ives Chambers. She had, until that time, been a partner in a local firm. As a solicitor Carol had been a member of the Children’s Panel of Solicitors since its inception in 1984 representing children of all ages. Throughout her career as a solicitor she gained extensive experience as a family law advocate specialising in care and adoption proceedings representing parents, children and local authorities. She aims to ensure, as a barrister, that she provides the service that she would have expected from counsel when she was a solicitor. Carol practices in public family law proceedings and appears in the Family Court at all levels.

Catherine Preen

Cathy has practised exclusively in Family law since 1990. She represents parents and children in all aspects of public and private law in the County Court, High Court and Court of Appeal in cases which have involved chronic neglect, non-accidental injury, death of children, sexual abuse, genetic testing and implacable hostility. She specialises in the representation of vulnerable, fragile and learning-disabled parents.

Charmian Jackson

Charmian is an experienced and tenacious advocate who regularly appears for applicants, respondents and interveners at all stages of proceedings, including multi-day final hearings, both in the Family Court, and in the County Court when dealing with claims under TOLATA.Charmian is known for quickly identifying the most important aspects of a case, and for taking a command of matters in Court. She is also adept at swiftly building a rapport with clients, to ensure that they feel at ease and have confidence in her representation. Charmian seeks to work collaboratively with the client and solicitor to achieve the best possible outcome.

Claire Briggs

Claire Briggs specialises in all forms of Family law both public and private including ancillary relief.

Claire Baker

Claire specialises in Children’s Law, primarily care proceedings. She has a broad range of experience, representing Local Authorities, Children’s Guardians and parents. Her cases have involved chronic neglect, domestic violence, physical abuse, sexual abuse and non-accidental injuries.

David Jackson

David is a Barrister specialising in Criminal Law. He has defended in all types of cases, including murder, serious sexual and violence offences and armed robbery. In the last year he has prosecuted, as Leading Junior, two multi-handed conspiracy cases on behalf of the Organised Crime Division of the CPS.

David Payne

David is a family law specialist with who is regularly instructed in private law cases. He has wide experience in the representation of parents and children in such proceedings. These include experience of: All applications under the Children Act 1989. Injunctive relief under the Family Law 1996. Cases involving the invocation of the inherent jurisdiction. Complex factual disputes, including the determination of allegations of physical, sexual and emotional abuse perpetrated towards other parents and children. Cases involving Re W determinations and where appropriate, the cross-examination of children and other vulnerable witnesses. Proceedings which have current, or previous, local authority involvement. Non-accidental injuries of all levels of severity, including brain injuries and where life-changing injuries have been occasioned to children. Cases involving cross-jurisdictional considerations within the United Kingdom and Crown Protectorates. Cases with an international element.

Dympna Howells

A former solicitor and partner in a large regional practice, Dympna has practised in all aspects of family law specialising in particular in both private and public law children's proceedings. Dympna has been in the Court of Protection team since inception and has undertaken cases on behalf of the local authority, patients and other interested parties including the Probation Service.

Elisabeth Richards

Elisabeth was a solicitor for 15 years prior to her call to the Bar in 2016 when she joined St Ives chambers. As a solicitor, she spent 7 years working as an associate solicitor in private practice representing parents, extended family members and children of all ages in both private and public law Children Act proceedings. Subsequently, Elisabeth was employed by Birmingham City Council as a Senior Solicitor and then in a seconded role as Child Sexual Exploitation Co-ordinator, exclusively representing the local authority in public law Children Act proceedings. Throughout her career as a child care and family law solicitor Elisabeth has gained significant experience and respect as a family law advocate representing a diverse array of clients.

Elizabeth Isaacs KC

Elizabeth is highly regarded and has an established national reputation for her compassionate, approachable and pragmatic approach, as well as her extensive legal knowledge and experience, excellent advocacy and forensic preparation in complex public and private law cases. Her appointments include: Trustee of the Donor Conception Network 2021 Bencher of Lincoln’s Inn 2019 Honorary Doctorate of Laws Coventry University 2019 Deputy High Court Judge (Family Division) 2016 Public and Private Family Law Recorder (SE Circuit) 2012 Crown Court Recorder (SE Circuit) 2009 Silk Member of The Family Justice Council (2014-2019)

Gareth Cheetham

Year of Call: 2005 Gareth represents and advises applicants and respondents in all aspects of matrimonial finance including high value and complex asset cases involving for example company matters. His civil and chancery experience give him a particular advantage in cases involving TOLATA. Gareth’s broad practice spans a wide range of tortious disputes and personal injury matters (with very extensive experience in relation to RTAs, exaggerated/fraudulent claims and large credit hire claims in particular). He appears in matters on all tracks and from multi-day trials to interim applications and disposal hearings.

Graeme Simpson

Graeme has wide-ranging experience in all types of criminal work for both defence and prosecution in the most serious criminal matters. Graeme has defended cases of murder, manslaughter and attempted murder without Leading Counsel and has frequently led for both the prosecution and defence. Graeme prosecutes at ‘Level 4’ and is included on the CPS panel of advocates dealing with rape and other serious sexual offences. He has extensive experience in dealing with young and vulnerable witnesses, and defendants.

Gregory Rogers

Greg is a specialist family lawyer who practices exclusively in cases concerning children. He has extensive experience of both private law proceedings and, public law proceedings regularly acting for Local Authorities, parents and children at all levels of the Family Court and before the Court of Appeal. The majority of his practice is public law children work including cases involving sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, alleged non-accidental injuries to children, child death and child sexual exploitation.

Hasnat Bashir

During his long practice as a Solicitor, he regularly appeared for applicants, respondents and interveners at all stages of proceedings. This included multi-day final hearings in Private Law Children, Financial Remedy proceedings and claims under ToLATA. Hasnat draws on his experience as a solicitor and is able to meet client expectations with robust and thorough advice. He has the ability to put forward a convincing argument highlighting relevant points to further his clients position whilst identifying any weaknesses in the oppositions case. He is adept at swiftly building a rapport with clients, to ensure that they feel at ease and have confidence in his representation. Hasnat often relies on his experience as a Solicitor Advocate who understands the clients and solicitors expectations whilst not losing sight of the best possible outcome for his client.

Holly Hilbourne-Gollop

As a public family practitioner, Holly appears on behalf of Local Authorities, parents and children’s guardians. Holly has experience dealing with case management hearings, contested removals, urgent applications and multi-day fact and final hearings. In private family, Holly has experience of taking cases from issue through to final hearings. Holly has experience of directions hearings, multi-day final hearings and fact-finding hearings, acting for both parents and children. Holly is known for her meticulous preparation and keen attention to detail. She is considered a tenacious and incisive advocate and is often instructed in complex disputes. Holly is well regarded for her client service and the support she provides clients both prior to, during and post hearings.

Ian Windridge

Ian qualified as a Solicitor in 1998 (Higher Rights Criminal in 2008). He has worked for the Crown Prosecution Service and for a firm of Solicitors as an in-house advocate and is an experienced trial advocate. He transferred to the bar in March 2015, initially at chambers in Wolverhampton, where his practice was primarily prosecution trial and appeal work. He joined St Ives in June 2016 where his practice is still primarily trial work, mainly prosecution but some defence work.

Jane Talbot

Jane has a high profile for Housing work and has been at the forefront of emerging legislation by virtue of her position as member and later, Chair of the Law Society’s Housing Committee (a role held from 2008-2017). In this role, Jane gave evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee on the implications of the Anti Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 and has also given evidence to the Welsh Government on the Renting Homes proposals. Jane regularly authors legal updates. To see the full list visit her profile at www.stiveschambers.co.uk

Jason Hadden MBE

Jason appears on a daily basis in courts all over the country in private law disputes. He appears in the magistrates court, county and the High court. He undertakes first appointments, fact finding hearings, DRAs and final hearings.Jason appears on a daily basis in courts all over the country in private law disputes. He appears in the magistrates court, county and the High court. He undertakes first appointments, fact finding hearings, DRAs and final hearings. He is also a broadcaster and author on matters relating to children.

Jayne Mullen

Jayne now exclusively undertakes work as a Private FDR Judge. Jayne is also a specialist Financial Remedies Judge on the Midland Circuit.

Joseph Giret KC

Joseph Giret KC has a successful practice and enjoys a formidable reputation for his civil and commercial expertise. He was recently recommended as a leading commercial Silk by Legal 500.

Julia Bond

Julia Bond has been a specialist Family law practitioner since 1995. She practised as a solicitor in Worcestershire and the West Midlands before transferring to the Bar in 2010. She has a reputation for being a robust advocate. She has excellent client care skills and is particularly adept at managing expectations and offering pragmatic advice, always remaining sensitive to the issues and the needs of an emotional client. She is considered to be an advocate “consistently punching above her weight”.

Julie Slater

Since being called to the bar in 1988, Julie practices exclusively in family work in public and private law. She undertakes a substantial amount of care work and is experienced in all aspects of proceedings representing Local Authorities, Children's Guardians and parents. Her particular strengths are client care and representation of vulnerable clients with severe learning and mental health difficulties. Julie has over 25 years' experience in family financial provision. She advises and represents regularly in financial provision matters mainly financial orders upon divorce, and the Children Act 1989. Julie is recognised for her sensible and grounded approach and relates well to clients of all backgrounds.

Justine Lattimer

Justine Lattimer specialises in child protection. She is highly experienced in serious and complex cases such as those involving sexual abuse, serious physical injury or factitious illness.

Karamjit Singh

Karamjit Singh is specialist civil litigator predominantly working in the fields of Personal Injury and Property law matters. He is known for his balanced advice and excellent knowledge of the civil procedure rules. In addition, Karamjit has been appointed to various disciplinary panels including the Football Association, England Netball and British Gymnastics.

Kirstie Danton

Kirstie is deputy head of the childcare group within chambers.

Lucy Hawkins

She has over 18 years’ experience in cases relating to children, and has specialised almost exclusively in that field since 2005. Prior to that date she also dealt with criminal cases; a background that is of particular benefit in cases where alleged injury or other abuse of children has led to police involvement.

Malvika Jaganmohan

Malvika regularly acts in cases of a level of complexity beyond her year of call. She prides herself on her approachable manner and her ability to put even the most vulnerable and anxious clients at ease. Malvika has co-authored a book entitled ‘A Practical Guide to Practice Direction 12J and Domestic Abuse in Private Law Children Proceedings’. She has undertaken the Family Law Bar Association's 'Advocacy and the Vulnerable' training.

Mark Cooper-Hall

Mark practises exclusively in family law and specialises in matters relating to children. He has a busy practice and a reputation for providing excellent client care and being thoroughly prepared. Mark aims to provide realistic and pragmatic advice whilst always being prepared to fight his client’s case. Mark is the Secretary of the West Midlands Family Law Bar Association.

Mark Jones

Mark's Housing law area of expertise lies where human rights and public law issues arise.Mark is a Human Rights Expert / Consultant to UN, Council of Europe and OSCE.

Martin Langston

He has developed a busy and varied litigation practice routinely appearing at the Business and Property Courts throughout England and Wales. Martin acts for individuals, businesses, lenders, insurers and local authorities at interlocutory applications, injunctions, trials, appeal and ADR.

Matthew Maynard

Matthew is a specialist children practitioner with a particular emphasis on complex public law proceedings. Matthew is a qualified Arbitrator under the IFLA Financial Scheme and sits as a Recorder in children matters and within the Financial Remedies Court. Matthew regularly lectures on a broad range of family law topics, to solicitors, barristers, expert witnesses and social work professionals. He is a published in a range of family law periodicals and publications. He is recommended as a leading junior by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500.

Matthew Haynes

Matthew Haynes’s work includes contentious probate work, including issues relating to the validity of wills, forged wills, the construction and rectification of wills, testamentary estoppel and the removal of executors.

Matthew Fiddy

Matthew has an established practice in public and private children’s cases.

Michael Singleton

As Head of the Housing Practice Group, he has pioneered the development of Housing Law within Chambers. Michael is experienced in all aspects of housing law and related fields including possession claims, particularly those involving anti-social behaviour, tolerated trespassers and human rights issues. Michael is also a Pupil Supervisor.

Michelle Brown

Michelle Brown is a Barrister specialising in Family law. Michelle represents local authorities, parents and children in the County Court, High Court and at appellate level.Michelle has particular strength and expertise in cases involving complex medical issues and in those involving vulnerable adults with severe mental health illness or personality disorders. She is a Recorder – Criminal and Family (Public and Private) Law.

Natalie Cross

Natalie is Public Access trained which enables her to accept instructions direct from clients. Natalie prides herself on her ability to deal with clients in very difficult situations and is well-regarded for her attention to detail and thoroughness in preparation, often at short notice. She is sympathetic to the individual needs of her client and is dedicated to securing the best possible result for them. She aims to provide her client with practical, realistic advice.

Nicholas Starks

Nicholas is a senior junior counsel with over 25 years' experience, specialising in family financial provision, principally upon divorce but also under TLATA, IPFDA, Schedule 1 Children Act, civil partnership proceedings. Nicholas frequently deals with high net worth claims, involving business, farming and overseas assets.Nicholas was recently voted ‘Barrister of the Year, 2019’ by the Worcestershire Law Society.

Nina Bache

Nina is a specialist family law (children) practitioner. In public law matters Nina is regularly instructed by parents, guardians, local authorities, other family members and interveners. She has a particular interest in cases involving complex medical matters – head injuries, fractures, genetic conditions, poisoning. She is known for her client-friendly approach and careful preparation. Nina is very experienced in care cases involving alleged inflicted injuries, abuse, chronic neglect, and clients with learning difficulties. She also has experience of cases involving cross-examination of children and has delivered seminars on Re W applications (children giving evidence). Her other particular interest lies with representing young persons. In private law work Nina is regularly instructed by parents, grandparents and guardians acting for children. She has a sensitive and understanding approach to clients. She deals with difficult and complex child arrangements applications, including cases involving complex psychological evidence, intractable contact disputes, and applications for removal from the jurisdiction.

Peter Cooper

Peter deals with heavyweight Criminal work, both defending and prosecuting. He regularly receives instructions in the most serious cases, including murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, rape, historic sexual offences, child abuse, arson with intent to endanger life, firearms offences, drugs offences and fraud. He has acted either alone or as leading advocate in several murder cases, and in many others led by Queen’s Counsel. Whilst the majority of his work is in the Crown Court, he also has a long record of effectively representing private clients in the magistrates’ court, including motorists and pub landlords. He has also acted in regulatory and trading standards cases. He has frequently appeared in the Court of Appeal, and has also dealt with appeals to the Administrative Court in criminal cases by way of case stated and judicial review.

Priya Tromans

Priya has practised litigation for over seven years, with experience in a wide range of commercial and individual disputes at both County Court and High Court level. Priya’s background as a medical doctor has given her an understanding of the challenges facing those involved in the healthcare sector and she has significant experience of advising in GP, Dental and Veterinary disputes, CQC challenges and disputes between local authorities and private healthcare providers. Priya is happy to accept instructions on all types of contractual disputes but has a particular interest in healthcare disputes and disciplinary tribunals of the GMC or GDC. She also has a number of years’ experience in contentious probate matters and has represented clients from all backgrounds in relation to Wills and Estate disputes. Outside these two main areas, Priya accepts instructions from interested parties in inquests and those seeking representation at mediations.

Rebecca Cross

Rebecca is a family law specialist with an established practice in family finance matters and in public and private children’s cases. Noted as having an approachable, professional and highly likeable manner with clients, solicitors and judges alike, she is considered a tenacious and incisive advocate with maturity beyond her year of Call. She is regularly instructed in complex disputes, often appearing against senior barristers of leading family chambers and has been instructed to appear against Queen’s Counsel in both children and matrimonial finance matters. Rebecca is sensitive toward the particular challenges which are posed in family litigation. She has experience cross-examining sensitive witnesses, both with and without the assistance of the Official Solicitor. Rebecca welcomes instruction at an early stage in proceedings in order to work in partnership with her solicitors so that her clients have the benefit of their full legal team. Rebecca is a junior civil counsel member of the Attorney General’s Panel. Rebecca is the co-author of the book ‘A Practical Guide to Practice Direction 12J and Domestic Abuse in Private Law Children Proceedings’ published by Law Brief Publishing in December 2021. The link to the book can be found by clicking here.

Samantha Powis

She is experienced in dealing with all types of crime including homicide and other non-fatal offences against the person, drugs, fraud and other offences of dishonest. She also has extensive experience in cases involving allegations of sexual offences against adults and children, both instant and historic cases and, therefore, is fully conversant with the relevant disclosure/public immunity issues.She is a CPS Grade 4 Advocate.

Simon Burch

Mr Burch joined Chambers in 2017 having originally practiced at a leading Legal 500 set in London. Having been the partner in a firm of solicitors he has also gained valuable experience in client care and has a full understanding of the legal process from arrest through to trial.

Sophie Murray

Sophie Murray is a barrister specialising in criminal and family law.

Stuart Clarkson

Stuart Clarkson has wide-ranging experience in all types of criminal work for both Defence and Prosecution. He works for various government departments involved in criminal litigation. His calm and considered approach makes him an efficient and reliable operator. Before joining the bar, Stuart worked for a number of FTSE 250 companies and his knowledge of finance and accountancy means he is well placed to deal with criminal matters involving fraud and proceeds of crime.

Timothy Bowe KC

Timothy regularly represents local authorities, parents and children in sensitive and complex public and private law cases, often appearing in the High Court and Appellate Courts where he has developed a strong reputation for forensic legal analysis and skilful advocacy. He is well known for adopting a client focused approach to his cases and has an easy and affable style that enables him to work inclusively with both lay and professional clients. Timothy has significant experience representing vulnerable parties and is accredited to question vulnerable adults and child witnesses.

Tom Harrill

Tom practises exclusively in Family law and specialises in matters related to children. He has a busy practice and is known for his pragmatic, tactical approach and keen attention to detail in even the most factually complex cases.Tom runs Chambers’ Family law training programme. He regularly speaks on all aspects of Family law to solicitors and other professionals. Recent cases: Re: A (Surrogacy: s.54 Criteria) [2020] EWHC 1426 (Fam) Re C (A Child: Parental Order & Child Arrangements Order) [2020] EWHC 2141 (Fam)

Tom Lawal

Year of Call: 2008Tom accepts instructions in all areas of housing law and has a growing reputation amongst instructing Solicitors nationwide. Tom has extensive experience in a wide range of housing matters and is regularly instructed to attend multi-day trials, committal applications, injunction and possession proceedings, in addition to drafting pleadings and advice on complex legal and factual matters. Tom is a specialist and experienced private law practitioner. Tom’s family practice focuses exclusively on representing parents, children and grandparents in complex and sensitive private law matters.

Tracy Lakin

Tracy practises in Public Law Children, Private Law Children applications. She is experienced in all aspects of proceedings in the County Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. She has also been led in the High Court and the Court of Appeal. She represents Local Authorities, Children's Guardians, parents (including adults acting under a disability) and children. Her cases have involved serious non-accidental injury, shaken baby syndrome, death of children, sexual abuse and chronic neglect. Her particular strength is in fact finding hearings. Tracy is part of the specialist Court of Protection team dealing with all areas of mental capacity law and practice who advise, consult and offer representation in this developing area. She has a particular interest in Forced Marriage and Deprivation of Liberty cases and has appeared in the Court of Protection in Birmingham on such matters. Tracy has regularly lectured in this area to Local Authorities, health professionals and solicitors in private practice.

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