St John's Buildings

Alastair Wright

Alastair acts for both Claimants and Defendants in Personal Injury and Professional Negligence work, but has an exclusively Claimant practice in Clinical Negligence. He has represented clients before all levels of the Judiciary, including the House of Lords. His PI work encompasses maximum severity head and spinal injury litigation and his clinical negligence work includes cerebral palsy and other birth injury as well as surgical mismanagement. Alistair is Head of the Industrial Disease Litigation Group at St John's Building's.

Alison Whalley

Alison practises all areas of criminal law. She is a grade 3 Prosecutor on the CPS panel.

Andrew Bridgman

Andrew has developed a busy clinical negligence practice covering all areas of health care, with an emphasis on dental negligence, acting for both claimant and defendants. His previous professional expertise, and understanding of health care delivery, enables Andrew to provide invaluable guidance from the very early stages of a clinical negligence claim, often from as early as the initial enquiry. Andrew established his personal injury practice within a short time of coming to the Bar. He continues to have a thriving PI practice encompassing all areas, for both claimants and defendants. His PI practice overlaps with his Inquest work where deaths in custody give rise to Human Rights Act claims. As an Assistant Coroner Andrew has a thorough understanding of coronial law and the Inquest process. He has a well-established practice representing the families of those whose loved ones have died in the custody of the state. Andrew also receives instructions in all manner of inquests ranging from road traffic accidents to aviation accidents, hospital deaths and military deaths.

Andrew Green

Andrew defends and prosecutes all categories of serious crime including; rape, historical sexual abuse and domestic violence, computer crime, arson, serious assaults, fraud, armed robbery, drugs importation and distribution and public order offences. Andrew has been a Category 4 Prosecutor since 2003 and is a member of the Specialist Rape Panel. He provides training for the College of Policing (formerly NPIA) in relation to Surveillance and RIPA including Authorising Officers and Covert Human Intelligence Sources. Training is provided for officers to up to and including the rank of Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constable. Andrew is developing a special interest in regulatory crime and in particular Health and Safety cases.

Andrew O"Byrne

Andrew O’Byrne KC is a leading Silk who practises throughout the country. He was Leader of the Northern Circuit (2014-2016) and has featured in the Legal 500 and Chambers UK. He is an extremely experienced, heavyweight practitioner who is well regarded by his lay and professional clients. In addition to his extensive Criminal practice, Andrew also accepts instructions in Regulatory matters and Criminal Fraud.

Andrew Haggis

Andrew specialises in family proceedings. He acts for parents and guardians in public law. Andrwe regularly acts for parents, Local Authorities, children and other family members and has extensive experience in complex cases including those involving non accidental injuries, sexual abuse, and fabricated illness.

Andrew Lawson

Andrew’s practice falls into four broad areas. RTA litigation, employers’ liability, occupiers’/ public liability and travel law claims. Simply put, cases vary from trials on liability, causation and quantum to interim hearings with significant experience of the new Multi-track CCMC regime and costs budgeting, including arguments over the applicability of CPR 45 and costs recoverability generally. RTA cases with alleged fraud issues and arguments over credit hire also covered. Andrew is regularly instructed in cases with allegations of Fundamental Dishonesty and applications to set aside QOCS protection. Travel cases of all complexity are undertaken from Rome II, the Package Tour regulations 1992 and Legionnaire’s cases. Andrew is experienced in presenting quantum cases based upon foreign legal systems. Andrew also frequently appears at Coroner’s Inquests, some recent cases involving asphyxiation at a chemical factory and a motorcyclist racing on the public highway. He appeared in the inquest of Emma Hughes v Estate of Dayne Joshua Williams (2012) which led to an adverse causation finding against a parent for not using a child seat correctly.

Annette Gumbs

Annette is a specialist Employment Law barrister and former Head of the Employment Group. Annette appears regularly at the Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal and often advises, acts and mediates in cases with a commercial element. These cases generally involve restrictive covenants and clients range from SMEs to high net worth individuals. Annette practises in all areas of employment law including constructive and unfair dismissal, breach of contract, TUPE and restrictive covenants. She has a particular interest in discrimination and whistle blowing (Public Interest Disclosure Act) claims. She is often instructed in claims for and against the legal profession. Her clients range from local authorities, trade unions, NHS employers, public limited companies to senior executives, professionals, teachers and governors and other employees. Annette has vast experience of discrimination claims acting for both employers and employees. She is regularly involved in long and complex cases. A background in personal injury and negligence cases allows her to maximise or minimise remedies in discrimination and occupational stress claims.

Ben Kelly

Ben is a specialist Defendant personal injury practitioner. He represents a number of large insurers in claims involving fraud and fundamental dishonesty and has been successful in obtaining numerous findings on behalf of his insurer clients. He is experienced in analysing the large volumes of financial disclosure usually involved in substantial credit hire claims and is frequently successful in defeating or substantially reducing such claims.

Bunty Batra

Bunty Batra is a criminal practitioner. He defends and prosecutes in all areas of crime. He has defended in many serious cases including murder, attempted murder, rape [including historical rape cases], the importation of large scale drugs cases, the importation of firearms and fraud. He has defended in many high profile cases both alone and with King’s Counsel. In addition, Mr Batra sat as an assessor in the GMC in the case of Craig. Mr Batra has lectured Registrars and Consultant Psychiatrists on giving expert evidence.

Catherine Rimmer

Catherine's area of practice is Family Law and encompasses all aspects of the law relating to children in both public and private proceedings. Catherine undertakes work for local authorities, parents and children (whether directly or by their Guardians). She has significant experience of public law cases involving a wide range of issues including complex medical evidence relating to non-accidental injury and cases involving serious sexual abuse. Catherine regularly deals with cases involving issues of significant neglect, domestic violence, substance misuse, mental health and allegations of physical and emotional harm. In private law proceedings Catherine’s practice has included residence/ child arrangement applications involving sexual abuse or domestic violence, intractable contact disputes involving emotional abuse, injunction applications and international relocation.  Catherine also has experience in cases involving the enforcement of child arrangement orders.

Cerys Williams

Cerys' practice includes all aspects of the law relating to children in both public law and private law proceedings. She regularly represents Local Authorities, parents, extended family members and children’s guardians. Cerys is also instructed in regard to injunction proceedings and Public Interest Immunity matters.

Charles Eastwood

Charles practises exclusively in financial areas within family law. Particular interest: Primarily in Matrimonial Finance, with work also undertaken in Schedule 1 and Inheritance Act claims. Matrimonial cases typically involving high assets, business related issues including company valuation and liquidity, and also trusts, pensions and third party claims/interests. Schedule 1 CA 1989 claims both for and against high net worth individuals. Cohabitation and Inheritance Act Claims.

Christopher Pare

Chris is a personal injury, clinical negligence and costs specialist. Having undertaken a common law pupillage, Chris is still, on occasion, instructed in other areas of civil work including housing matters (to include private and public landlord/tenant possession claims and mortgage possession cases), boundary and building disputes, commercial cases and TLATA claims. He is also interested in and actively developing a Court of Protection practice. In the personal injury arena, where he acts for both Claimants and Defendants across the full spectrum of personal injury litigation, Chris has a high-end fast-track and multi-track practice which regularly involves claims valued in excess of £100,000, and often in excess of £250,000. Whilst he has a particular interest in employers’ liability matters, he routinely represents both Claimants and Defendants in public and occupiers’ liability claims and all aspects of road traffic litigation to include, fraud, credit hire and LVI matters. He routinely deals with fatal accident claims and has been involved in a number of modest brain injury cases. He is regularly instructed in cases in which pain disorders are diagnosed or disputed. He is, therefore, well versed in the interplay between such conditions and allegations of exaggeration and/or fraud. Chris also undertakes clinical negligence work including dental negligence claims.

Clare Thomas

Clare’s practice encompasses all areas of criminal law and she acts for both the Prosecution and the Defence. She regularly receives instructions in respect of allegations of serious violence, sexual offences, dishonesty and drugs offences including confiscation proceedings. She also has significant experience in road traffic cases including tachograph offences. Clare also undertakes a substantial amount of social housing litigation work for housing associations and other such organisations. She regularly appears in the County Court on applications for Anti Social Behaviour Injunctions, committal proceedings for breaches of such injunctions and gas servicing injunctions.

Clare Grundy

Clare practises in all areas of family law (children, public and private law, finance and health and welfare in the Court of Protection). She began legal practice with an interest in discrimination law and combines a high level family practice at the Bar with sitting as a judge in the Employment Tribunal. Public law proceedings: care proceedings particularly involving child death cases through brain injury, drowning, shaking injuries, other “non- accidental” physical injury, burns and neglect. Sexual harm and grooming cases and emotional harm. Discharge applications, and contact to children in care applications. Clare is instructed by Local Authorities, parents and Guardians, the Official solicitor and Cafcass Legal and can view a case from all angles to give advice on tactical approach as well as substantive law.

Dafydd Roberts

Dafydd is an experienced criminal barrister who defends cases of all categories of serious crime including: murder rape and other serious sexual offences including offences committed using the internet arson serious assaults and public order offences fraud and other offences involving dishonesty robbery serious drug offences

David Taylor

David is regularly instructed in the areas of Personal Injury and Insurance Litigation on circuit and nationally. David is fortunate to have a wide and varied practice both as an advocate and as an advisor. As his experience has grown so has the complexity of the work he is entrusted to handle. David is regularly instructed in high value, high complexity and catastrophic injury cases both at interlocutory level and to trial. The values of such cases regularly exceed £1m. David has experience of dealing with historic child abuse cases especially in the CICAP. David is continuing to expand his areas of expertise and his practice into areas of Public Law especially for Local Authority clients. David is especially interested in cases where there is a cross over between legal disciplines, such as in the reported case of Hinds v Liverpool City Council, where a Family case required satellite litigation within the civil court’s jurisdiction. Areas involving a breach of human rights and Judicial Review are also of interest.

David James

David is an advocate specialising in cases resulting in serious and fatal injury and financial irregularities crossing Regulatory and Criminal offending and Inquests. His Criminal practice involves murder, sexual offences, fraud, drugs, and death or serious injury by dangerous driving. David is a Specialist Regulatory Advocate in Health and Safety and Environmental Law – List B.

David Pojur

David specialises in Regulatory law covering the areas of Healthcare & Professional Discipline, Inquests, Health and Safety, and Environmental law. He is regularly instructed by solicitors to act for many of the country’s large insurers, multinational corporations, medical defence organisations and high net worth individuals. He acts in both contentious and non-contentious work and is often called upon for his advisory work. He is frequently led by and appears against King’s Counsel. David is appointed to List A as Specialist Regulatory Panel Counsel in Health and Safety & Environmental Law, CQC, Ofsted. David is recognised as a leading inquest practitioner. David sits as an Assistant Coroner undertaking investigations and inquests both with and without juries. These are often complex proceedings with several interested persons addressing hospital, medical or care related deaths. David has been appointed by the Court as Counsel to the Inquest (CTI) on several occasions by Senior Coroners and in Judge led inquests. He also advises and represents coroners in judicial review challenges before the High Court. In his coronial practice, he deals with difficult Article 2 jury inquests where there are a number of complex issues and experts. These often relate to health and safety issues, deaths in police custody or prison and hospital settings and homicides. David prosecutes and defends the most serious crimes before the Crown Court and regularly appears in the High Court and Court of Appeal, where he has succeeded in having convictions overturned. He often appears alone against silks and enjoys a strong reputation. He is recognised as a leading junior and was appointed to List A of the Specialist Regulatory Panel Counsel for HSE, EA, ORR, CQC and Ofsted as well as being assessed as Panel 4 category Counsel and a Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RASSO) specialist. He has prosecuted trials instructed by the CCU. He has experience of a breadth of work from multi-handed conspiracies to murder, gross negligence manslaughter, corporate manslaughter and drugs importation cases as well as representing terrorists. David frequently represents companies and directors in serious injury and fatal health and safety cases of significant complexity.

David Berkley

General Commercial Litigation is the primary area of practice with an emphasis on major trial work. Music Litigation: David Berkley QC has developed a niche in this area. His famous clients have included Gary Barlow of Take That; Granada Television; Stone Roses’ management; and several well-known Manchester bands. Considerable expertise and experience in contentious security and receivership issues; civil and criminal fraud trials; directors’ disqualification work. Frequently advises in and acts on behalf of professional clients in partnership disputes including those relating to solicitors and accountancy professional practices. Considerable expertise and experience in commercial Landlord and Tenant matters and frequently advises property clients in relation to renewals and reviews. Qualified Mediator (College of Law credited) and willing to act as Arbitrator in commercial dispute. Member of the Commercial Law Panel of ADR Chambers.

David Flood

David is a specialist employment law practitioner with a particular interest in TUPE. David has nearly 30 years’ experience of representing both Claimants and Respondents in the Employment Tribunal, the EAT, the Court of Appeal and most recently the Supreme Court. He has conducted cases relating to all aspects of employment law. His Respondent clients have included the NHS, the Police, Royal Mail and Multinational Corporations. He is a member of the Employment Lawyer’s Association

Debra White

Debra is an established and experienced Criminal Defence Practitioner. She specialises in serious crime and has a strong reputation for being a determined and tenacious advocate. She accepts Legally Aided and Privately Funded cases in the Crown Court and has a developing practice in Courts Martial.

Diarmuid Bunting

Diarmuid (Dermot) is thorough, professional, and personable. He prepares meticulously for his court work. His advice is thorough and pragmatic. His main specialisms are Employment, Equality and Regulatory Law. He also receives frequent instructions, generally from Government Departments, in Inquests and Personal Injury claims. He acts for and against a broad range of individuals and organisations including large corporations, educational institutions, trade unions and individual litigants. Having previously worked as a solicitor, he is conscious of the workload and pressures under which those who instruct him operate. He offers practical guidance and is able to assist throughout the lifespan of a case. He is happy to provide training to solicitors and other professionals.

Douglas Denton

Douglas has developed a practice encompassing commercial litigation, medical negligence, professional negligence, personal injury and industrial disease. In addition he is regularly instructed on catastrophic injury claims and those of upmost severity.

Eleanor Keehan

Eleanor practices in all areas of children law. Eleanor has experience representing parents, children through their Guardian, interveners and Local Authorities in public law proceedings at all stages of a case. She is regularly instructed to draft documents including case summaries, threshold documents and skeleton arguments. Eleanor has acted in a wide range of care applications which have included an application for an emergency protection order of such gravity it was heard in the high court. Eleanor also regularly advises Local Authorities at Legal Gateway and Pre-Proceedings Meetings. Eleanor has gained considerable experience of preparing complex non accidental injury public law cases including fatal injuries and serious head injury cases, and cases in which the children have complex medical needs. Eleanor is regularly instructed in private law proceedings including applications for Child Arrangements Orders, enforcement orders, non-molestation orders and occupation orders acting for both the Applicant and the Respondent. Eleanor has experience acting in cases involving allegations of emotional, physical and sexual abuse including allegations of the utmost seriousness. In her Court of Protection practice Eleanor is instructed to act on behalf of Local Authorities as well as acting for P, through his litigation friend. Eleanor has conducted a number of section 21A appeals on behalf of P and the local authority. Eleanor has also acted for P in a case involving complex issues of fluctuating capacity, in particular whether the COP is the correct jurisdiction or whether the inherent jurisdiction of the high court might be better placed to determine the issues arising for P. Further, she has conducted a complex and sensitive case about capacity to consent to sexual relations and the development of, or protection from, intimate relationships for P where she may lack this capacity.

Elisabeth Cooper

Matrimonial finance now makes up over half of Elisabeth’s practice. Elisabeth is regularly instructed at all stages of financial remedy proceedings including pre-issue. Elisabeth also receives instructions to advise on settlement offers, to act on behalf of parties within applications for freezing orders and for variation and enforcement of financial orders. Elisabeth regularly represents high net worth parties and is frequently instructed in cases involving complex company structures and significant rental portfolios. Elisabeth routinely acts on behalf of appellants and respondents to appeals to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal in relation to CSA/CMS assessments. Elisabeth is regularly instructed to advise at initial stages as to prospects of success. Elisabeth has consistently achieved success in the Lower Tier Social Security and Child Support Tribunal and has represented parties on a number of appeals to the Upper-Tier Social Security and Child Support Tribunal. She is willing to provide in-house training with regard to the complex nature of CMS appeals. Elisabeth regularly acts in a wide range of private Children Act cases for parents, relatives and children with party status, as well as local authorities that require representation but are not parties. Elisabeth also routinely acts on behalf of local authorities, parents and children in public law proceedings, from the commencement of the proceedings until (and including) the final hearing.

Elliw Roberts

Elliw is a Family Law specialist. She is experienced in all areas of family law and regularly appears at all levels of the family court, including the High Court. Elliw has experience in a wide range of private law proceedings acting for parents, extended family members and children with party status. She has been involved in cases involving serious allegations of significant harm to children, international and internal relocation, removal to non-Hague countries and cases of implacable hostility. Elliw advises on issues of law and case management both in writing and in conferences and represents clients at all stages of the case and at all levels of the family court. She is regularly instructed to draft documents in the case including case summaries, skeleton arguments and applications for expert assessments. Elliw routinely receives instructions in relation to applications for non-molestation orders and occupation orders acting for both the Applicant and the Respondent. Elliw also regularly represents parents, children, interveners and Local Authorities in public law proceedings. She is instructed at all stages of the case from case management hearings, finding of fact hearings to final hearings and has appeared at all levels of the family court. She has been involved in cases where the child has suffered non-accidental injury, cases involving the death of a sibling, sexual abuse cases and cases where there has been media interest. Elliw advises on issues of law and case management both in writing and in conference and is regularly instructed to draft documents in the case including case summaries, threshold documents, skeleton arguments, applications for expert assessments and appeals. Elliw advises Local Authorities at Legal Gateway Meeting and Pre-Proceedings Meeting and she further receives instructions in the Crown Court with regard to Public Interest Immunity matters. Elliw practices in all fields of Court of Protection work including health and welfare, property and affairs, medical treatment and associated human rights matters. Elliw regularly advises and appears on behalf of Local Authorities, Professional Deputies and individuals and their families. Elliw is a qualified mediator.

Frances De Navarro

Frances is a family law specialist. She has a particular interest in cases dealing with the financial division on divorce and is regularly instructed in high asset cases. Frances regularly advises in cases involving: Freezing Injunctions Setting Aside Dispositions Complex Pension Issues Inherited Wealth and Arguments Surrounding Non-Matrimonial Assets Pre-Nuptial Agreements Business Valuations Enforcement of Orders Variation of Periodical Payments Orders Frances also deals with cases involving property disputes between unmarried former cohabitants under TLATA 1996, financial provision for children under Schedule One Children Act 1989 and child support appeals. She has a wealth of experience of dealing with private law children cases in relation to Child Arrangements Orders. Frances also deals with applications for financial relief for unmarried parents under Schedule One Children Act (see practice profile Property and Private Client). Frances regularly advises in cases involving: Emergency and without notice orders Allegations of domestic violence Allegations of sexual abuse Enforcement of Child Arrangements Orders International relocation Internal relocation within the UK Special Guardianship Orders Urgent hearings seeking summary return of children following wrongful retention or removal.Frances regularly deals with property disputes between unmarried former cohabitants under TLATA 1996. This includes cases in which there are issues as to: The beneficial ownership of a property that is held in the sole name of one party Disputes in relation to the parties’ share of the equity in a jointly owned property Occupation rent and equitable accounting Orders for sale Frances also regularly acts in cases in which third parties to divorce proceedings assert a beneficial interest in property owned by one of the divorcing parties. She also acts in cases involving claims for financial provision by unmarried parents under Schedule One Children Act 1989.

Gareth Thompson

Gareth has an exclusively civil practise with an emphasis on claims arising as a result of personal injury. He acts on behalf of both claimants and defendants in all types of cases. Gareth has extensive experience of claims arising from road traffic accidents including those involving the MIB and arising from accidents that have occurred abroad. He has been instructed in cases involving complex issues of fact and medical opinion including evidence regarding the presence and/or extent of a subtle brain injury. He has experience of cases where fraud has been alleged having been involved in such cases on behalf of both claimants and defendants. He frequently represents insurers in cases where the decision has been taken that they should be represented separately.Employers’ liability claims continue to make up an increasing proportion of Gareth’s work. He has a particular interest in claims involving public bodies in which claimant is entitled to rely upon European directives as opposed to just the domestic regulations. He also undertaking work involving general public liability with a particular interest in claims arising from the leisure industry.

Ginnette Fitzharris

Ginnette practices in public and private Children Law. Ginnette has represented the Local Authority in the Family Proceedings Court, County Court and the High Court including complex cases. Ginnette has also been Junior Counsel in High Court cases concerning serious non-accidental injuries and complex multi-party final hearings. Ginnette regularly represents parents at all levels of tribunal. Ginnette is instructed regularly in cases by parties seeking leave to remove their children from the jurisdiction and/or parties who are refusing permission and wish their children to remain in the UK. Ginnette has experience of cases concerning education, medical treatment and change of name.

Ginny Whiteley

Ginny is an experienced family barrister, dealing exclusively with proceedings relating to children. Ginny is regularly instructed on behalf of local authorities, parents and children in public law proceedings, including complex cases involving serious injuries, abusive head trauma and allegations of sexual abuse. Her practice frequently brings her before judges of the High Court Family Division and she is comfortable and confident in managing difficult cases alone or as junior counsel. Her extensive experience in applications for deprivation of liberty means Ginny is often called upon by local authorities to provide advice and representation at urgent hearings. Ginny has also represented children and parents in these proceedings and has a detailed and up to date knowledge of the law. Ginny is particularly experienced in representing teenagers, whether as parents or subject children, and individuals with mental health difficulties. Her compassionate but realistic approach allows Ginny to build an excellent working relationship with clients. In addition to her public law practice, Ginny appears in complex private law proceedings including cases with elements of parental alienation, those requiring findings of fact and cases where there is a potential for public law proceedings to be issued. Ginny has completed vulnerable witness advocacy training and subsequently qualified to provide this training to others, making her an excellent choice where children or vulnerable adults will be required to give evidence.

Graeme Wood

Graeme practises in the general field of chancery law including in particular mortgages, company shareholder disputes, partnership, covenants, easements, joint property, property trusts, proprietary estoppel, possession claims, title to land and adverse possession, neighbour disputes, wills and probate, succession, Inheritance Act claims, landlord and tenant matters including business and residential leases and disputes, restitutionary claims, injunctions and other equitable remedies; he also deals with agency and general contract and tort disputes. He is a qualified Mediator.

Hannah Wood

Hannah specialises in matrimonial finance and private law children cases. She is regularly instructed in complex Child Arrangements Order applications involving allegations of domestic violence and sexual abuse. She also has extensive experience in cases where there are allegations and/or evidence of a parent’s implacable hostility towards the other parent. Hannah spent a number of years at the Criminal Bar before transferring to Family Practice. Her wealth of advocacy experience in Crown and Magistrates’ Courts is invaluable in contested hearings where she excels at the cross-examination of witnesses. Hannah has considerable experience of dealing with finding of fact hearings in domestic abuse cases.  She has recently been instructed in a finding of fact hearing involving allegations of rape and attempted murder. Hannah is also instructed in enforcement applications, appeals and both internal and international re-location cases. One of Hannah’s key strengths lies in her negotiation skills and that, coupled with an eye for detail, renders her a strong choice for matrimonial finance matters. She provides settlement advice pre issue and beyond and takes instructions in all hearings including FDAs, FDRs, and contested final hearings. She is approachable with clients and is happy to speak to solicitors on an informal basis throughout the duration of a case. Hannah regularly receives instructions to advise in respect of the validity of separation agreements, the merits of appealing final orders and the merits of applications to set aside final orders. She has considerable experience in both advising on and representing at MPS and LSPO application hearings.

Helen Wilson

Helen has extensive experience in children cases. She has appeared at all levels of the family court. She is regularly instructed to act on behalf of local authorities, parents and children in both private and public law proceedings. Her experience and expertise includes the following: Chronic neglect Domestic violence Alcohol and substance misuse Serious non-accidental injury Sexual abuse Emotional abuse Child-trafficking Removal from the Jurisdiction – permanent and temporary Factitious illness Parents with learning disability/ difficulties Public interest immunity Designation of local authorities Secure accommodation Order applications Contested adoption and Placement Order applications Applications to discharge Care Orders Applications for Child Arrangements Orders.

Helen Wrenn

Helen practises in all areas of family law. Helen has 20 years’ experience of financial remedy cases arising out of divorce and relationship breakdown. She has a solution-based approach to complex matters and a good eye for detail. Her expertise includes: Applications for injunctions for the preservation of matrimonial property and property held by third parties Interim maintenance and orders for the payment of legal costs Property and pension transfers under the Matrimonial Causes Act Appeals seeking to set aside consent orders on the grounds of non-disclosure Applications relating to property held in Trusts and the breaking up of family trusts Dispositions of property under Schedules 1 of the Children Act TOLATA applications involving the property of unmarried couples Enforcement of financial orders and committals for contempt.Helen’s experience in children cases is extensive and she has appeared at all levels of the family court, frequently appearing before High Court Judges. She is regularly instructed to act on behalf of children, guardians, parents and step-parents, local authorities, intervenors and grandparents in both private and public law proceedings including care, adoption and special guardianship orders. She is a trusted and popular advocate who brings tenacity, attention to detail and a practical focus to complex issues. Her cases have included: The rights of parents to be fully involved in all aspects of their children’s upbringing, including spending time with them and making decisions relating to their education and health Denied or concealed paternity Domestic violence, neglect and emotional abuse of children Serious sexual abuse Homicide and suicide of both parents Child abuse within an international, cultural or religious context The return of children from Hague and Non-Hague Convention countries International adoptions Child-trafficking and prostitution Factitious illness Parents and children with learning difficulties, disabilities, and genetic disorders affecting parenting Physical abuse across a range from bruising to baby-shaking and complex brain injury Multiple sibling deaths within the context of possible inherited genetic defects Fabricated allegations of children towards a parent Court of Protection work Instructions from the Official Solicitor.

Henry Vanderpump

Henry specialises in Personal Injury and undertakes work in three distinct areas – disease, clinical negligence and catastrophic injury claims. He acts on behalf of Claimants and Defendants in equal measure and has also been involved in providing strategic advice to a large national firm of solicitors in relation to noise induced hearing loss claims. Henry has also worked as a Consultant in house for a large national firm of solicitors specialising in asbestos litigation.  

Hunter Gray

Hunter has specialised in criminal law for over 20 years. He represented clients at all stages of the criminal justice system from police stations to Youth Courts, Magistrates Courts and in the Crown Court. Hunter has acted for a number of clients charged with high profile murders. He has developed his specialism in relation to clients charged with sexual offences bringing his non-judgemental approach to conferences and instilling confidence in those he represents. Hunter has also acted for clients charged with the full range of offences within the criminal calendar including drug conspiracies, arson, serious assaults, death by dangerous driving, fraud etc.

Jacqueline Swain

Jacqui Swain is an experienced barrister in personal injury work. She also undertakes work in clinical and cosmetic negligence. Jacqui represents claimants and defendants in all aspects of multi-track and fast track personal injury litigation. Areas of expertise include serious and fatal road traffic collisions – in particular, cases involving pedestrians, motorcycles or heavy goods vehicles; fraud and fundamental dishonesty; employer’s liability, accidents at work; public liability; occupier’s liability; and product liability. Jacqui has a special interest in personal injury cases involving: scarring and burns injuries cosmetic negligence head injuries resulting in hearing loss and/or tinnitus claims brought on behalf of children or protected parties

Jade Abraham

Jade’s principal practice is in Family Law and encompasses all aspects of the law relating to children in both public and private proceedings. She regularly receives instructions to appear for Local Authorities, parents, other extended family members, children able to give their own instructions and children’s guardians. Jade has an active interest in the development of Family Law and regularly attends conferences/seminars organised by the Family Law Bar Association, Family Law publishing companies and open forum seminars.

Jamie Jenkins

In Employment law, Jamie acts for both Claimants and Respondents in a wide range of employment tribunal cases, advising clients at all stages from initial negotiations through to the final hearing and, if necessary, to appeal. As well as his extensive discrimination experience, Jamie is frequently instructed on cases that involve issues of unfair dismissal, breach of contract, redundancy, whistleblowing and restrictive covenants. Jamie also has a broad commercial practice that encompasses areas that overlap with other aspects of his practice as well as distinct areas of commercial litigation. His practice primarily focuses on contractual disputes, including the sale of goods and supply of services, construction and insurance. Jamie has built a strong education practice predominantly representing educational institutions, including private schools, universities and local authorities in cases relating to the education sector, including in education law as well as cases involving employment law, discrimination and breach of contract. Jamie has extensive experience of representing clients in a range of courts and tribunals, including the First Tier Tribunal, Employment Tribunal, County Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.Jamie is consistently involved in new and developing issues in education law. He has recently both represented provided extensive advice to educational establishments on issues arising out of the coronavirus pandemic, including matters such as refunding tuition fees, mandatory testing for students, and accommodating pupils with special educational needs following lockdown. Jamie provides training to local authorities and educational establishments directly on a range of issues in educational settings, including discrimination and special educational needs.

Jane Walker

Jane is an experienced practitioner in public and private law proceedings, used to handling complex cases acting for and advising Local Authorities, parents and Children’s Guardians under the Children Act 1989. She has also advised in placement and adoption cases, and acted for separately represented teenage clients in sensitive and difficult cases. Jane appears regularly in the High Court as well as before circuit and district judges. She has appeared in a number of Court of Appeal cases. The work she undertakes involves cases of the most serious nature, including allegations of serious physical and sexual abuse and factitious illness. She frequently receives instruction in cases involving parents and children suffering from learning difficulties and developmental disabilities (e.g. autism and Asperger syndrome), forms of mental illness and serious psychological problems. Jane is often instructed in cases involving other jurisdictions and immigration issues, including cases involving applications to remove children from the jurisdiction. Her theological background and training brings extra knowledge and understanding to cases involving religious and cultural complexities. Jane’s work also includes applications made under the Inherent Jurisdiction and Human Rights legislation and medical treatment cases. She has been recommended as an expert in children’s cases over several years.

Jason Searle

Jason Searle is a specialist employment and equality law barrister, representing employers and employees in employment and HR litigation. He generally acts for high net worth individuals, law firms (and other professional advisory firms) and a range of FTSE listed companies/SMEs. He is proud to be the head of the St Johns Building’s Employment Law Team and immensely enjoys the responsibility of this role. ason acts for employers and employees, with an even split. Jason has a wealth of experience of discrimination cases. He has successfully resisted and presented claims brought by doctors and senior NHS executives. He has been responsible for presenting some of the most heinous campaigns of discriminatory treatment before the employment tribunals.Jason has become the ‘lawyer’s lawyer’ and is regularly instructed by solicitors privately and in house barristers. He has advised in cases for and against National firms of solicitors and is often against Leading Counsel. He has acted in cases involving National Security and has been responsible for training solicitors and others in discrimination law. He frequently appears in the Employment Tribunal; EAT; County Court and High Court.Jason is also an expert in Social Media in the Workplace and the legal ramifications for employers and employees. He has handled a number of cases where the use of Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and other social networks has led to disciplinary action (including dismissal) by an employer, leading to Employment Tribunal cases. He is frequently called upon to advise when solicitor’s employee clients find themselves accused of IT misuse. Jason has also appeared in regulatory and disciplinary tribunals. He has advised teachers, doctors, nurses and those involved with FCA compliance.

Jessica Denton

Jessica represents Claimants and Defendants across a broad spectrum of Personal Injury work, including road traffic accidents, public liability, employer’s liability and product liability with a focus on serious injury claims. Jessica also acts in fatal accident claims. She has recent experience of conducting complex and/or high value claims including polytrauma, long-term psychiatric injuries, neurological injuries and pain cases. As an experienced discrimination practitioner, Jessica also has a growing practice in advising and pleading personal injury claims pursued under Equality Act 2010, frequently involving claimants with disability. Jessica practises in claims on the Fast and Multi-Track of the County Court. Jessica undertakes advocacy at all stages of a claim and conducts trials (Fast and Multi-Track), CCMCs, application hearings, assessment of damages’ hearings and appeal hearings. Jessica is frequently instructed to advise in conference in serious injury claims. She also has a busy paperwork practice and drafts Advices, Particulars of Claim, Defences and schedules/counter-schedules in all Personal Injury matters. Jessica has a keen interest in and in-depth knowledge of clinical negligence. She accepts instructions for Claimants and Defendants in clinical negligence claims. She provides advocacy and advisory services across a broad range of clinical negligence claims. Jessica has acted recently in claims involving delayed diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, birth injury (to mother and child), delayed diagnosis of cancer and radiological errors. Jessica has acted in a number of claims involving complications arising from orthopaedic injuries and/or surgery. Jessica accepts instructions in all matters of Employment Law for both Claimants and Respondents. She acts at all stages of claims within the Tribunal and has experience advising prospective Claimants and Respondents on pre and post-termination settlement agreements governed by section 111A ERA 1996. Jessica is regularly instructed to provide written advices and pleadings in a wide range of Employment claims. Jessica undertakes work in a broad range of travel claims with a particular interest in aviation law.

John Hedgecoe

John is experienced in all areas of criminal law, including: murder, other offences of serious violence, sexual offences and fraud.

John Oates

John has a considerable Criminal practice with an inevitable bias toward Prosecuting and covering the widest range of Criminal work from the most minor Road Traffic offences through to the most serious of Crimes. He has a particular interest in fraud stemming from the time when he was the instructing Solicitor in the Greenall Whitley conspiracy as long ago as the 80’s, and which interest he maintains at the Bar. John is equally at home defending in which his lengthy experience of prosecuting and intimate knowledge of the Police is a considerable advantage and he applies the same tenacity to Defending as he does to Prosecuting.

Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan is a Family Law specialist and has been so since he started in practice in 1991. He has an interest in all types of family law. He deals with financial remedies and has extensive experience conducting care proceedings acting for Local Authorities, parents, extended family members and Guardians. He frequently acts for children via their Guardian in private law matters.

Jonathan Thompson

Jonathan practises in all areas of family law and also has extensive experience in personal injury work. Jonathan has a particular interest in care proceedings and has appeared in complex and lengthy child protection hearings, including those involving child death, serious non-accidental injury, sexual harm, grooming, neglect and serious emotional harm. Jonathan’s experience includes representing NHS trusts in High Court disputes over medical treatment for children, representing CAFCASS Legal in the High Court and civil actions for professional negligence against social workers. Jonathan is instructed by local authorities, parents, Guardians, the Official Solicitor and CAFCASS Legal and is able to view a case from all angles and advise on tactical approach as well as substantive law. Jonathan’s experience also includes cases involving an international element, child witnesses, complex adoption applications, secure accommodation orders, applications for discharge of care or placement orders and for contact with a child in care. Jonathan’s practice covers both private law children and matrimonial finance work. This breadth can provide clients with the significant advantage of retaining him for both potential areas of dispute following marital or relationship breakdown. Jonathan appears in complex disputes resulting in applications for child arrangements orders, including those involving issues of mental capacity, parental alienation or shared parenting, as well as international and internal relocation cases and more discrete specific issue or prohibited steps order applications. Jonathan is also experienced in personal injury work at all levels from higher end multi track to fast track. Jonathan is instructed by both claimants and defendants and is able to view a case from both angles and advise on the best tactical approach as well as substantive law.

Julian Shaw

Julian enjoys a broad civil practice with a particular emphasis on Chancery law. He is frequently instructed in property matters, ranging from boundary disputes and cases involving easements to issues involving agricultural holdings and tenancies. Recent cases have included substantial multi-party disputes over rights of way, cases involving serious trespass to land and the assertion and enforcement of prescriptive rights including rights to light. He has vast experience of trusts matters, encompassing cases arising under the Inheritance Act 1975 and the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA), as well as matters involving resulting and constructive trusts, equitable and restitutionary remedies, applications relating to the construction of wills and issues arising from breaches of trust by trustees. He also acts frequently in wills and probate cases, particularly those involving contentious probate issues or removal of executors. Julian has recently delivered talks on issues arising under TOLATA and on litigating right to light claims to solicitors. Julian also regularly undertakes professional negligence cases, with a particular emphasis on solicitors’ negligence and negligent advice by conveyancers, architects and surveyors. Current ongoing cases involve a claim arising from negligent advice by valuation agents, claims relating to negligent management of financial investments and mis-selling of investment products, and a number of cases involving defective structural surveys or architects’ negligence. With regards to his Family Finance practice, Julian is regularly instructed in high value cases, particularly those involving family business, trusts and issues relating to farms and agriculture. He is a recognised expert in cases involving pensions and issues arising from a party’s bankruptcy, and has presented seminars on these subjects in the past. Julian’s trusts expertise and extensive experience in TOLATA cases means that he is ideally placed to advise in respect of complex matters relating to equitable title to shared homes, and a significant percentage of his practice relates to such matters. His ‘money’ practice regularly finds him acting in matters where the assets comfortably exceed £1 million in value, and he has extensive experience of cases involving an international element, applications under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989, litigants seeking to subvert the legal process and cases involving hidden assets.  

Julian Lloyd

Julian is a Children Law specialist. His public law practice involves Care Proceedings (For all types of parties including Local Authorities, Parents, Children, Grandparents and other Intervenors) including complex cases involving, for example: Alleged factitious injury by proxy by a parent (so-called “Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy”) One or more parents allegedly involved in very serious criminal activity or serving lengthy periods of imprisonment Children having allegedly suffered serious sexual and/or physical abuse at the hands of parent(s) or others Parents with serious mental health and/or physical disability issues Adoption Proceedings and Special Guardianship (whether in the context of Care Proceedings or otherwise) including: Post adoption contact applications not only by natural parents but also by non-adopted or separately adopted siblings The consequences of the breakdown of adoption His private law practice covers disputes of all types including complex or unusual cases involving Child Arrangements Orders (until recently called Residence Orders and Contact Orders) and other forms of court order regulating or safeguarding children’s circumstances. For example: A parent who has undergone or is contemplating Gender Reassignment (so-called “sex change”) surgery Actual or allegedly intended abduction of children internally within the jurisdiction or internationally Disputes involving children where the parties are or include people other than parents, such as grandparents, siblings, step-parents or other relations including situations where one or both parents have died, or lack the capacity to conduct litigation Parents with serious mental health and/or physical disability issues

Julian Taylor

Julian undertakes a wide variety of cases from being led in murder trials to cases of drugs supply, dishonesty and violent crimes. He has also been involved in cases involving children and internet pornography. One of the trials resulted in a conviction for a murder that had occurred 20 years before the defendant was arrested and extradited from the United States of America. Julian also has wide experience in undercover Police operations and cases involving covert listening devices.

Karl Rowley

Karl represents local authorities, parents and extended families, and children (whether directly or by their Guardians) in the public law arena. He has appeared at all levels up to and including the Supreme Court and regularly represents parties in the Court of Appeal.He has a particular interest in cases involving complex medical evidence, including NAHI; alleged bone disease; child death; and purported poisonings. His experience covers applications such as for contact by former parents after the death of adopters; those involving foreign adoption; care cases with international elements; inherent jurisdiction cases concerning proposed medical treatment of minors; and applications to restrict publicity. In private law proceedings Karl’s practice has included multifaceted residence applications involving sexual abuse or homicide, protracted contact cases, international relocation, and cases concerning children with special needs. Karl advises and appears for local authorities and families in welfare cases. There is considerable overlap between his work in medical treatment cases and those in respect of children resolved under the inherent jurisdiction.

Kashif Ali

Kashif is an employment law specialist with over 15 years of experience. He was appointed a FP Employment Judge in 2021. Kashif is regularly instructed in complex and difficult unfair dismissal claims, discrimination claims and whistleblowing claims. He has extensive experience across a large spectrum of employment law matters acting for both Claimants and Respondents.Kashif regularly acts for public bodies and a number of English and Welsh local authorities including: Greater Manchester Police, Lancashire County Council, Rotherham MBC, Wrexham CBC and Denbighshire County Council.Kashif also has considerable experience in negotiation, and has represented parties effectively in mediations, including the ET Judicial Mediation Scheme. He is a fully trained Mediator and can be instructed to help resolve employment disputes between parties.

Kate Burnell

Kate practises solely within Family Law and has specialised in children cases for over 15 years. Her practice involves both public and private law proceedings and she represents local authorities, parents, carers, members of the extended family and children, whether via their Guardians or directly. Kate has extensive experience dealing with vulnerable clients. Kate has a developing Court of Protection practice covering health and welfare cases and property and affairs. She has a particular interest in deprivation of liberty cases.

Kerry Holt

Kerry practises in all areas of public and private children law, including injunctive relief. Kerry has extensive experience representing local authorities, parents, extended family members and children in all matters of sensitive and complex public law cases. She frequently appears in care proceedings in which the central issues involve allegations of neglect, chronic domestic violence, substance misuse, serious inflicted injuries (including non-accidental death/murder) and sexual abuse (including cases involving historic and interfamilial allegations and allegations against multiple perpetrators as well as cases involving numerous local authorities and large-scale litigation). She deals with all matters relating to adoption and special guardianship applications. Kerry has a broad private law practice and is regularly instructed in complex applications which include issues of sexual, physical and emotional abuse of both adults and children, implacable hostility and parental alienation, relocation issues and removal from the jurisdiction. Kerry has a particular interest in cases involving parental alienation allegations and has been instructed in numerous matters that have involved allegations of coercing or coaching children to make false allegations of abuse.

Kevin McNerney

Kevin is an established senior member of the St John's Employment Group and practices only in Employment Law. Kevin has appeared in the EAT in several reported cases and regularly advises on all aspects of Employment Law with a particular emphasis on whistleblowing and NHS related litigation; having spent 11 years as a Senior Legal Officer for the Royal College of Nursing he understands the Healthcare sector intimately. Kevin has also appeared at the Health & Care Professions Council on professional regulatory matters. Professional regulatory law is a developing area of Kevin’s practice and he sits as the independent member on Police Misconduct Hearings. Kevin has experience of representing Healthcare professionals when their practice has been investigated at the HCPC and teachers before their professional body on disciplinary matters. He has experience of representing Healthcare professionals when their practice has been investigated at the HCPC and teachers before their professional body on disciplinary matters.

Kevin Jones

Kevin practises exclusively in Criminal Law. He is a Grade 3 prosecutor. Kevin has built a healthy defence practice covering a broad range of work and has seen great success in cases after the cross examination of prosecution witnesses.

Lara Holsgrove

Lara specialises in personal injury work and has acted for both Claimants and Defendants in clinical disputes, public and employer liability cases, road traffic litigation, high value Criminal Injury Compensation cases, inquests and catastrophic injury litigation. Lara has a particular interest in cases involving acquired brain injuries and serious spinal injuries. Lara also has a keen interest in housing disrepair and has extensive experience of claimant litigation. Lara has undertaken a wide variety of work having been involved in all aspects of the litigation process including conferences, drafting particulars of claim, interlocutory hearings and trials.

Laura Nash

Laura is a regulatory barrister, with specific experience in professional discipline across a number of tribunals. She has a particular strength in police cases, both gross misconduct and criminal, and represents officers in a range of cases. She mainly represents the interested parties at inquests including police officers, Health Trusts, medical professionals and care homes. From this experience she moved quickly into professional discipline and appears in cases brought by the GMC, NMC and police services nationally. Laura also has a wealth of experience representing care homes and registered managers in Care Quality Commission matters, both civil and criminal. In 2021 she was appointed a First Tier Tribunal Judge and sits in the Health, Education and Social Care Chamber. In recent years, Laura has become the go-to advocate to advise on cases with cross-jurisdictional implications, and will often advise individuals where there is the potential for coronial, disciplinary and criminal enforcement action across a single case. Given her knowledge and experience Laura has also been instructed by senior coroners in judicial review proceedings.

Liam Murdin

Liam is an experienced and highly regarded personal injury practitioner. He is a specialist in insurance fraud, leads the St John’s Buildings fraud team, and is the head of Lawyers Against Insurance Fraud. Liam represents both Claimants and Defendants at all stages of litigation. He has significant experience in road traffic litigation, actions arising out of public liability, employers’ liability, and occupiers’ liability claims. He is usually instructed in multi-track litigation, and is frequently asked to draft Schedules, Counter-Schedules and high value advices. He has attended many JSMs and CCMCs. Liam is the Head of Lawyers against Insurance Fraud, and the Fraud team within St John’s Buildings. He has developed a significant reputation for fraud arising out of motor accidents, and is panel Counsel for most of the major insurers. He is regularly instructed in claims dealing with the following: staged accidents, accidents that never occurred, counterclaims against dishonest Claimants, Low Velocity Impact claims, bogus passenger claims and deliberate slam-ons. He is very experienced both at trial, and in conferences with clients and engineers; he is able to draft Defences, and questions to engineering and medical experts, with speed and precision. He is currently involved in several High Court actions where a declaration of fraud is sought, and/or contempt proceedings have been issued. He is particularly skilled at robust and forensic cross-examination, dealing with multiple parties and multiple accidents. Liam practises in all areas of employment law, including constructive and unfair dismissal, contractual claims, TUPE, and restrictive covenants. He has developed a particular interest in discrimination and whistle-blowing claims, and frequently appears in the Employment Tribunal, Employment Appeal Tribunal, County Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. He is available for advisory work, representation at mediation and internal or professional disciplinary hearings.

Lisa Houghton

Lisa represents local authorities, parents, extended family members and children in public law cases. She frequently appears in complex care proceedings where the central issues involve allegations of inflicted injuries including head injuries, shaken baby syndrome and multiple fractures requiring expert medical evidence. Her case load includes fabricated illness, serious neglect, mental illness, psychological impairment and sexual abuse involving historic and interfamilial allegations. She has dealt with cases involving child death both with and without leading counsel. Lisa has been instructed in care proceedings involving child sexual exploitation following high profile criminal investigations. She is experienced at dealing with care proceedings and concurrent criminal proceedings and attending linked care and crime directions. She has dealt with a number of cases involving the application of Brussels II Revised where the court had to consider the appropriateness or otherwise of transferring the proceedings to another jurisdiction. She deals with all matters relating to adoption and special guardianship applications, whether in the context of care proceedings or otherwise. In private law proceedings Lisa is instructed in multi-faceted applications which include issues of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, familial homicide, implacable hostility, children with a reduced life expectancy and/or special needs, and removal from the jurisdiction. She acts on behalf of children following the appointment of a Guardian pursuant to r.16.4.

Lisa Partington

Lisa practises in all areas of family law including Care proceedings, Adoption, Contact, Residence, Domestic Violence Injunctions and Committals, all aspects of Ancillary Relief, removal of children from the jurisdiction of the UK and Public Interest Immunity.

Lorraine Cavanagh

Lorraine practises in all areas of children law, in the health and welfare law field of the Court of Protection and conducts judicial review and Human Rights claims with a focus on community care provision and child rights. Lorraine has acted in complex care cases including fatal injury cases and catastrophic injuries to children. She has dealt with a number of NAHI and non-accidental injury cases with areas of medical complexity. She has a wealth of experience acting on all sides of these applications. Lorraine’s practice in medical treatment law has caused her to become involved in end of life care cases for children with profound illness and/or disability. This includes a case involving the force feeding of children and their detention for the purposes of medical treatment. Lorraine acts for children directly without a Guardian and through their Guardian.Lorraine also acts, in these cases, for local authorities, Hospital Trusts and parents. Due to her experience as a noted practitioner in the Court of Protection Lorraine has acted in numerous complex care cases involving learning disabled parents and children, including concurrent care proceedings for the child and COP proceedings for the parents. She has extensive experience of acting through the Official Solicitor. Lorraine has also acted in a number of High Court public law cases involving linked Human Rights Act claims and Judicial Review proceedings in which she also acted on behalf of the clients. Lorraine has also acted in cases involving Care Proceedings, Adoption, Inherent Jurisdiction/Medical Treatment and Children's Rights. She has been junior in the leading case shaping the rights of children in care. The landmark and grave case of A & S v Lancashire County Council was a Human Rights application by two children, represented by Lorraine, and her leader, to bring into account the local government, the national policy and legislation that had come together to permit the boy’s parlous conditions and unlawful legal status to persist. Lorraine has a specialist interest in cases that involve the marriage and sexual relations of incapacitous persons which have resulted in children (i.e. concurrent care proceedings) or which result in concurrent matrimonial litigation (i.e. petitions for nullity). Lorraine’s background in child law and matrimonial law has led to her representing P in all facets of the family court litigation and the Court of Protection.

Lucinda France-Hayhurst

Lucinda receives instruction at all tiers of the Court of Protection in Welfare and Financial matters. She acts frequently for the official solicitor, and regularly advises and trains local authority legal and social care departments on the law. Lucinda is well-versed in handling matters in which care and court of protection proceedings overlap. She has extensive experience in DoLS challenges but her practice has evolved over the years to include matters of complexity including: capacity to consent to sexual relations, historic physical abuse, sexual abuse, honour-based violence, forced marriage, chronic alcohol consumption, experimental treatment, mental health and learning disability. Lucinda routinely represents children, parents and local authorities in sensitive and complex Public and Private Law matters concerning children. The subject matter of her care cases ranges widely but includes: complex mental health in children and adults, non-accidental injury, historical sexual abuse (including in large-scale litigation and allegations against multiple perpetrators), neglect, alcohol and substance misuse. Lucinda is an accredited, all-issues mediator.

Mark Connor

Mark is a criminal law specialist. He is a Grade 4 Prosecutor and is on the Wales and the Northern circuit panels for serious crime and rape and serious sexual offences.Mark’s experience covers a broad spectrum of criminal offences both for the defence and prosecution including murder, manslaughter, serious offences of violence, large scale public disorder including football related violence, robbery, firearms, death by dangerous driving, serious sexual offences including, rape, historical cases and the possession, taking and distribution of indecent images of children, domestic violence, drug trafficking, POCA applications, money laundering and fraud including benefit fraud. Mark’s experience in dealing with all types of sexual offences is extensive; regularly appearing in the crown court on such matters. He has vast experience in dealing with clients charged with offences involving rape and other sexual offences including child sexual abuse allegations.

Mark Roberts

Mark is a Family Law specialist. He is experienced in all fields of Family Law and has a particular interest in Care cases, working for parents, other family members and Local Authorities. At present he undertakes a significant caseload for both parents and Local Authorities. Mark has significant experience of Public Law cases involving allegations of Non Accidental Injury with the attendant difficulties of complex medical evidence. He also has particular experience acting for clients with learning difficulties and other additional needs and has a special interest in advising and acting on behalf of clients who have been diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Mark also has an interest in the statute, case law and practice in relation to the making of special Guardianship Orders in both the Public and Private Law arena. Mark also undertakes Private Law cases of all types in relation to children, where he acts for both parents, grandparents and court appointed guardians in a wide cross section of applications. Mark also acts for both applicants and respondents in relation to applications for financial orders and in relation to applications under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act.

Matthew Burdon

Matthew enjoys a mixed common law practice, with a mix of crime, civil and regulatory law. Matthew’s criminal practice comprises both defence and prosecution work in the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court and Court of Appeal. Matthew’s civil practice is predominantly trial focused personal injury work.

Matthew Carey

Matthew is a specialist children family law barrister with a particular interest in public law and the arrangements for children after parental separation. He is experienced in representing vulnerable clients, those with disabilities, learning difficulties and cases that may require the official solicitor. Matthew is regularly instructed to act for parents, children, local authorities and other family members such as grandparents in public law proceedings. He has been involved in cases representing parents and family members that have resulted in successful outcomes for the children within their care. Regularly instructed in proceedings involving complex issues of law and fact including cases concerning serious inflicted injuries to children, sexual abuse, fabricated/induced illness, perplexing presentations, shaking injuries, catastrophic/fatal injuries to siblings, long term/chronic neglect, parents with mental illness, adoption, human trafficking, international aspects, relocation and parental alienation. Matthew has experience in cases that involve the use of the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court including the use of Wardship and Deprivation of Liberty. Matthew is regularly instructed to represent parents and children in relation to the arrangements for children following parental separation. Matthew is experienced in cases that involve domestic abuse, findings of fact hearings, parental alienation, intractable contact disputes, fabricated illnesses, internal/international relocation, change to the children’s school and also within enforcement proceedings. Matthew is experienced in injunctive proceedings including emergency injunctions, non-molestation orders and occupation orders.

Michael Redfern

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Myles Wilson

Myles has a wealth of experience of cases involving the most serious issues. Sexual cases, whether allegations are recent or historic. Drug conspiracy cases, involving the most complex investigations. Serious violence, being regularly instructed in cases of murder, attempted murder and manslaughter.

Natalie Powell

Natalie accepts instructions from all parties in all children law matters, representing local authorities, parents, relatives, interveners and children. Natalie has experience in representing all parties in public law proceedings involving wide ranging issues including: Domestic violence Non-accidental injuries Neglect Drug/alcohol abuse Sexual abuse. Natalie also has experience in complex cases involving issues of radicalisation, forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Natalie has regularly acted for the most vulnerable clients including receiving instructions from the Official Solicitor and representing clients with learning disabilities with the assistance of an intermediary. Natalie has experience of appearing against leading counsel, and has also been led by leading counsel in complex cases heard in the High Court. In Private Law matters, Natalie represents all parties in Children Act applications including complex proceedings involving allegations of physical and sexual abuse and implacable hostility, often when a 16.4 Guardian has been appointed.

Navpreeth Gihair

Navpreeth practices in all areas of children’s law, with a particular interest in public law proceedings. Navpreeth has acted in matrimonial finance matters, including at FDR and final hearing. She is able to advise on matters and draft documents in the case, including questionnaires, skeleton arguments and consent orders. Navpreeth is keen to develop a Court of Protection Practice. Navpreeth’s expertise in Family law means she is well-placed to deal with those matters which are the subjects of both Family law and Court of Protection legislation.

Neil Owen-Casey

Neil Owen-Casey is a family law specialist with a particular interest in public law children proceedings. Neil represents parents, local authorities, children and extended family members in the full range of applications that come before the Court. Neil has extensive experience in care proceedings and cases involving chronic neglect, all forms of abuse, domestic violence (including sexual violence and honour-based violence), as well as non-accidental injuries, and fabricated and induced illness. In particular, recent instructions have invariably included representing local authorities, parents and other family members where there have been allegations of coaching and coercing children to make false allegations of abuse, incidents of traumatic head trauma, and fabricated induced illness. Other recent cases have involved honour-based violence, severe neglect, abusive head trauma, large sibling groups (nine in one case), life-changing medical conditions, and the removal of a children due to a parent’s mental health difficulties – which was complemented and informed by Neil’s Court of Protection practice. Neil is also experienced in dealing with applications for secure accommodation orders, and those brought under the Inherent Jurisdiction concerning the deprivation of liberty of young people. Neil is regularly instructed in adoption cases, including those with an international element and involving the Conflict of Laws, and the recognition of foreign adoptions within this jurisdiction. He is also experienced in cases involving issues of identity, donor insemination and same-sex parents. Neil is renowned for his sensitivity in cases involving significant cultural and religious issues. He is skilled in representing grandparents, young parents and vulnerable clients, including those who have a physical or learning disability and/or lack of capacity. Neil represents all parties in both Children Act and Family Law Act matters. He has considerable experience in dealing with all aspects of Child Arrangement Order applications. He is also instructed to advise and act in specific issue applications, cases where there are jurisdictional issues (including leave to remove), enforcement, and protracted disputes that often require expert assessments. Recent instructions have included parent alienation, the determination of residence of an adopted child due to the separation of the adoptive parents, contact and/or residence concerning parents suffering with a broad range of mental health difficulties, and revocation of parental responsibility.

Neil Christian

Neil appears in all manner of Public Law applications representing parents, children and local authorities. His practice regularly covers applications for care orders, adoption and placement orders, and special guardianship orders. He undertakes cases ranging from long term neglect through to serious non accidental injury and death of children. He has extensive experience dealing with complex findings of fact and cross examining expert witness’. Many of his cases involve intricate psychological or psychiatric issues, and chronic addictions. Neil has also been instructed in disputes between local authorities as to designation and disputes regarding local authority funding of foster placements. Neil has broad expertise in all types of Private Law disputes both privately and publicly funded. His experience covers representing parents and children in disputes regarding all manner of family arrangements. He has undertaken many “difficult” private law disputes concerning allegations or findings of serious domestic violence, sexual abuse, and parents who are implacably hostile or suffer psychological or psychiatric issues. He has dealt with a number of enforcement applications. Neil is also regularly instructed in schedule 1 applications for financial relief for children. He has a wealth of experience dealing with prohibited steps and injunctive relief applications under the Family Law Act. He deals with contested application for change of names. Neil advises and represents parents in applications for relocation (both internal and international) and child abduction (Hague and non-Hague) along with enforcement and recognition of orders (Brussels II revised). Neil has also built a solid and expanding matrimonial finance practice advising and representing clients in all aspects of financial remedy applications and in cases involving significant family wealth. He is more than happy dealing with cases involving trusts; company assets; pension valuation; and inherited wealth. Neil’s experience covers freezing orders; variation and enforcement of financial orders; and alleged hidden assets. Neil also has considerable expertise in applications for financial relief for children under schedule 1 Children Act 1989. Neil is in particular demand in relation to complex applications under TOLATA 1996 and cohabitation disputes. He regularly drafts pleadings and appears on behalf of claimants, defendants and interveners. Cases undertaken often involve substantial assets; farms; company assets; and inherited property.

Niamh Ross

Niamh practises in all areas of children law, with a particular interest in public law proceedings. Niamh regularly represents local authorities, parents, children and interveners at all stages of public law proceedings. Niamh is frequently instructed to draft written documents including threshold documents, case summaries, and skeleton arguments, and is happy to advise in conference where appropriate. Niamh has experience in public law proceedings involving complex issues including non-accidental injuries to children, serious emotional harm and significant neglect. Niamh has represented parents with learning disabilities, mental health issues and/or substance misuse issues. In private law matters, Niamh has acted for parents and for Children’s Guardians appointed under Rule 16.4 at every stage of proceedings. She has a particular interest in cases involving allegations of domestic abuse and has experience representing vulnerable clients. Niamh has acted for parties alleging and/or disputing allegations of a serious nature, including allegations of physical and sexual abuse of children, and of domestic abuse of all forms. Niamh has experience in cases involving intractable contact disputes and the enforcement of child arrangements orders. As well as cases concerning the arrangements for children to live with and spend time with their parents and family members, Niamh has dealt with cases involving issues such as changes of name, internal relocation and removal of children from the jurisdiction

Nicholas Price

In civil practice, the main areas include contract; property and boundary disputes; injunctive relief; professional negligence and Inquests. Nicholas has in excess of 20 years’ experience in his core fields which include Clinical Negligence and Professional Negligence disputes. Nicholas has extensive experience of Inquests. In Employment, Nicholas acts for both Claimant and Respondent clients in all major aspects of employment dispute in matters of unfair dismissal, redundancy and discrimination. In 1993 Nicholas became a CEDR qualified mediator since which time he has been instructed in a broad range of mediations incorporating personal injury, clinical negligence, contract, boundary disputes, disciplinary proceedings, and employment related disputes of varying value.

Oliver King

Oliver is a criminal law specialist who has particular expertise in prosecuting and defending cases involving allegations of sexual abuse, serious violence and large scale drugs supply. Oliver is also building a reliable reputation for his Regulatory work. He has advised and represented several local hauliers upon road traffic (construction and use) regulations and has appeared on behalf of VOSA when breaches of regulations are brought before the Magistrates’ Courts. He has produced a number of publications in this area to assist local businesses. Oliver has appeared on behalf of the HSE in prosecutions brought against employers for breaching health & safety regulations and also for employers who are on the receiving end of alleged breaches. Oliver also has experience of defending a range of criminal offences before the Military Courts Martial, including being absent without leave, assault, theft and perverting the course of justice. He has gained valuable insight into the practises of the RMP and how that differs from the civilian police and has sat with a judge in a trial in the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus.

Patricia Pratt

Patricia is an experienced, specialist family law practitioner. She has appeared at all levels of the family courts and has extensive experience of children cases including public law, private law, adoption and special guardianship. Patricia is regularly instructed on behalf of parents, grand-parents, step-parents, extended family, local authorities, guardians and the Official Solicitor. She is also instructed by the NCA and Hospital Trusts.

Pépin Aslett

Pépin has an established reputation as a Senior Junior specialising in commercial and chancery litigation with an emphasis on major and complex litigation. Pépin has a well-established reputation as a Senior Junior specialising in commercial litigation and data and information law with an emphasis on major and complex litigation. His extensive experience is well suited to disputes spanning many disciplines and he takes a commercial and pragmatic hands-on role to develop case tactics and strategy. He regularly acts as part of a team of KCs, juniors and relevant expert professionals. In addition to appearing in the Court of Appeal and High Court in England and Wales, Pépin has appeared in Supreme Court of Gibraltar and the courts in Bermuda, where he practised as an Attorney for three years. Pépin heads up the Commercial Group in Chambers, and is regularly quoted in the press in relation to aspects of his expertise.    

Peta Harrison

Peta has significant experience representing local authorities, parents and children at all stages of Children Act 1989/Adoption and Children Act 2002 proceedings; including finding of fact hearings, removal under statutory orders and contested care, placement and adoption application hearings. Peta regularly deals with cases involving serious neglect, domestic violence, physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children. Peta has extensive experience in dealing with complex private law cases involving allegations of violence, physical, emotional and sexual harm to a child on behalf of parents and/or other extended family members. Her work embodies applications for child arrangement orders (and enforcement of such orders) which regulates the time a child spends with a parent and/or other family member, findings of fact hearings, applications including change of name, change of school, prohibitive steps orders and leave to remove from the jurisdiction. Peta is also regularly instructed to represent clients interests concerning applications for injunctions, arising from domestic violence and/or relief sought via occupation of the family home.

Peter Gilmour

Peter’s practice incorporates crime, regulatory and tax law. Peter has a busy Crown Court practice, encompassing manslaughter, drug conspiracies, firearms, violence, sexual offences and dishonesty. A popular junior, Peter is completely confident in the use of technology and is able to quickly master significant volumes of evidence. He has a calm, straightforward manner which puts his clients at ease. He is a sharp and effective cross-examiner and a persuasive jury advocate. In his Regulatory practice Peter has represented clients in appeal against decisions by the CQC, NMC and OFSTED. He has also defended clients in cases concerning Health and Safety Regulations, COSHH Regulations, and the Licensing Act 2003. Before coming to the Bar, Peter worked as an adjudicator at the Financial Ombudsman Service. He specialised in handling complaints about mis-sold investments, with a particular focus on products intended to reduce or avoid tax liabilities. As a barrister, Peter is instructed by HMRC to prosecute cases of tax evasion and to pursue cash forfeiture. He also regularly advises businesses and individuals as to potential tax liabilities and appeals HMRC decisions in the Tax Tribunal.

Philip Byrne

Philip practises in all areas of real property (both residential and commercial) including landlord and tenant, construction disputes, as well as general contract work and professional negligence work associated with or arising from property and construction matters. He has developed considerable expertise in advising and representing a broad spectrum of clients, both ‘professional landlords’ with large portfolios as well as single business tenants with limited experience and budgets. He is focused on achieving the best commercial outcome for his clients and providing practical legal, tactical and technical advice. Philip is very experienced at drafting contentious and non-contentious and transactional documents under tight timescales. He regularly drafts and reviews transactional and contractual documents for individuals and firms, both in his name and ‘white label’ work. He regularly appears in the County and High Courts, The Property Chamber, Arbitrations, and the Magistrate’s Court (HMO prosecutions). He also frequently appears in Mediations. He is quickly able to distil complex matters into simple and manageable steps, while focusing on acceptable solutions from an early stage in the mediation. Philip also acts in professional negligence claims relating to property professionals including surveyors, solicitors and architects. He frequently advises on transactional oversights, document drafting and conveyancing mistakes, together with building inspection and valuation errors. Philip acts in construction disputes and has a detailed practical knowledge of construction methods, offering a unique understanding and approach to resolving the issues that frequently arise. He has also practised as a mediator specialising in property mediation (including construction disputes) and commercial mediation.

Philip Astbury

Philip is frequently instructed in multi-handed conspiracies involving serious organised crime. He has experience being led, and appearing as a leading junior. He is a level 4 prosecutor and is included within the CPS rape panel. He often defends and prosecutes rapes and serious sexual allegations in the Crown Court, and has been instructed to defend in a number of historic institutional abuse cases across the country.

Philip Clemo

Philip enjoys a busy Crown Court practice both prosecuting and defending in a wide variety of criminal matters including murder, large fraud conspiracies and serious drugs cases. Philip has experience in representing vulnerable clients in a compassionate but professional manner. He is trained and experienced in cross examining vulnerable witnesses. Philip is also an experienced regulatory practitioner. He has experience dealing with both Welsh and English regulatory matters. Philip has prosecuted for a number of local authorities, government departments and regulatory bodies in cases covering a wide range of law. Philip has also defended in prosecutions brought by local authorities for a wide range of matters including those relating to unlawful evictions, breaches of HMO regulations and breaches of health and safety legislation. He is experienced in dealing with the legality of bylaws.

Philippa Waddell

Philippa is a family law specialist with significant experience in public law cases. This includes representing local authorities, parents and children at all stages of Children Act proceedings, including removal under statutory orders, finding of fact hearings, final care and placement hearings. She regularly deals with cases involving issues of significant neglect, injuries to children, domestic violence, substance misuse, mental health, attachment disorders and allegations of physical, sexual and emotional harm. Philippa’s work for local authorities also includes appearances before the Criminal Court addressing matters of Public Interest Immunity. Philippa also has significant experience in private law cases. She regularly represents parents and other family members in matters relating to family breakdown. This includes: Injunction applications arising out of domestic violence allegations and the occupation of the family home. Applications for child arrangements orders regulating the time a child spends with each party, including cases involving allegations of violence, allegations of harm to the child, finding of fact hearings, cultural or religious issues, expert assessments, intractable hostility and where the child is separately represented. Philippa also has experience in matters of enforcement of child arrangement orders. Other Children Act matters such as applications relating to removal from jurisdiction, change of name, change of school, prohibited steps orders.

Rachael Banks

Rachael’s practise covers all aspects of family law. She undertakes all types of public and private law cases and has extensive experience acting for parents, local authorities, guardians and the Official Solicitor. She is frequently instructed in complex, multi-party cases involving allegations of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Rachael has developed a particular expertise in external and internal relocation cases. Rachael also has a broad range of experience in financial remedy proceedings covering divorce, civil partnership dissolution and financial claims for unmarried couples.

Rebecca Sutton

Rebecca is a civil law barrister specialising in personal injury, clinical negligence, and disease work. She is instructed by both Claimants and Defendants, predominantly in relation to multi-track cases, but also in some cases allocated to the fast track. Rebecca undertakes all aspects of personal injury work, including drafting pleadings, advising in conference and in writing, attending JSMs and appearing at all types of hearings, including trials, appeal hearings, application hearings and costs and case management hearings. Although she has particular interest in clinical negligence and disease work, she is also frequently instructed in relation to employers’ liability, road traffic, public liability and non-accidental injury cases. In addition to regularly advising and representing parties in relation to substantive issues, Rebecca also has extensive experience of advising and representing parties in relation to procedural issues; she is often instructed in relation to applications for summary judgment, striking out, relief from sanctions, setting aside default judgment, re-allocation, permission to rely on medical evidence, permission to withdraw admissions and permission to amend pleadings. She also has experience of company insolvency, insofar as it relates to personal injury actions; she has advised and represented clients in relation to retrospective permission to issue against companies in administration and compulsory liquidation, deferral of dissolution, and restoration to the register. During her time as a solicitor, Rebecca gained an in-depth knowledge and understanding of costs and funding. Since transferring to the Bar, Rebecca has kept up-to-date with costs and funding issues, recognising that this is an important aspect of personal injury litigation, particularly in the post-Jackson era. She regularly appears at CCMCs and has experience of detailed assessments. Having specialised in clinical negligence as a solicitor and having studied for a masters degree in Health Law, Rebecca was keen to develop a clinical negligence practice as a barrister. She has been successful in doing so and is now regularly instructed by both Claimants and Defendants in relation to a variety of clinical negligence cases. Her experience includes claims against GPs, private doctors and other health professionals, as well as against NHS Trusts. Rebecca’s disease work is primarily, but not exclusively, on behalf of Defendants. She has experience of asbestos-related cases, HAVS and NIHL as well as short-tail disease claims, including RSI, dermatitis, and stress. Rebecca has a particular interest in medical causation in NIHL claims. While such cases are usually of modest value, the complexity of the issues often makes them suitable for allocation to the multi-track, with medical experts giving evidence at trial. Rebecca regularly represents defendants at NIHL trials involving issues of medical causation. As a solicitor Rebecca gained experience of representing interested persons at inquests. She continues to regularly appear at inquests for a range of interested persons.

Richard Orme

In crime, Richard receives instructions from both the Defence and Prosecution in Magistrates, Crown Court and Appellate levels and particularly in cases of the utmost seriousness including complex fraud, MTIC/multi-cell VAT frauds, drug trafficking, people trafficking, murder, corporate manslaughter, firearms offences, robberies, money laundering, proceeds of crime and sexual offences. Richard also accepts private work in all areas which includes private road traffic defence work. Richard additionally undertakes Inquest work. Richard accepts instructions in relation to Police Misconduct Hearings and is regularly instructed by Police Professional Standards to act as Legal Advisor to the Assistant Chief Constable of South Yorkshire in connection with such hearings. Richard also accepts instructions through the Police Federation to represent serving officers before Police Misconduct Tribunal hearings. Richard undertakes defence work in connection with prosecutions brought by regulatory bodies including the Environment Agency / Trading Standards / HMRC / HSE.

Richard Norton - Head of Chambers

Richard receives instructions in cases of birth damage, delayed diagnosis, surgical negligence, and GP negligence. In his Catastrophic Injury work, cases are multitrack, high value with heavy expert involvement, often with brain and spinal injuries as well as serious orthopaedic and vascular cases. Richard undertakes mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions, VWF/CTS and NIHL cases as well as cases of occupational stress. Richard is a highly experienced personal injury barrister. The majority of his cases are high value, catastrophic injury cases or cases with a complicating feature. Richard is a CEDR-accredited mediator.

Samantha Hillas

Sam Hillas is a senior member of the matrimonial finance team, dealing primarily with high value and high profile cases. She has extensive experience of complex issues including farming, companies and trusts. She is a practical and down-to-earth advocate. Sam has a broad range of experience in divorce, civil partnership dissolution, claims under Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 and the financial claims for unmarried couples. Sam is a qualified Arbitrator and also has experience of appearing in and conducting private FDRs.

Samantha Openshaw

Samantha is a specialist civil barrister providing advice and advocacy to both claimants and defendants. Her practice encompasses all aspects of personal injury work including road traffic litigation and credit hire, employers’ liability, public liability and industrial disease. Samantha frequently appears in cases involving allegations of fundamental dishonesty and section 57 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015. Samantha has considerable experience in all areas of civil litigation, civil procedure and costs. She has particular expertise in Fixed Recoverable Costs Cases and regularly appears in CCMCs, costs assessment hearings and interim applications. Her detailed knowledge of the CPR and costs law is particularly relevant to costs management and budgeting and achieving successful conclusions to cases. Samantha is also a qualified mediator.

Simeon Evans

Simeon is a criminal law defence specialist. He has represented clients, both privately and legal aid funded, in Crown Courts throughout England and Wales in numerous cases involving serious sexual offences; serious violence; public disorder; supply of drugs; fraud and other offences of dishonesty. Simeon has also regularly undertaken privately funded road traffic work in Magistrates’ Courts across the country. Simeon has appeared in the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, on many occasions in respect of appeals against convictions and sentences. Simeon is accredited by the Bar Council to undertake direct public access work.

Simon Parry

Simon has a broad criminal practice, both defending and prosecuting. His work ranges from everyday crime to serious offences, including homicide and serious sexual offences. Since 2008 Simon has been a Category 4 prosecutor for the CPS (Northern Circuit & Wales Circuit) and was re-appointed to that grade together with the rape panel in 2012. Simon has particular expertise in multi-handed drug conspiracy cases, both for the prosecution and the defence. In recent years he has prosecuted the majority of covert drugs operations conducted by Cheshire Police (see below). With Simon’s previous experience within the College of Policing he has developed a detailed expert knowledge of the tactical and legal issues in covert policing cases. He has developed an expertise and interest, both for the defence and the prosecution, in cases involving mental health issues and in particular autistic spectrum disorders. Simon also is extremely experienced in representing young defendants where again he provides supportive and sensitive representation for clients and their families.

Simon Crabtree

Simon practises in all areas of child and adult protection/safeguarding including care proceedings, Court of Protection cases, Wardship, Inquests and Judicial Review (relating to the Children Act 1989 and allied legislation and regulations). In relation to child protection work, as well as dealing with the familiar staple mix of cases, the more complex cases he readily and regularly undertakes involve issues such as international child trafficking and terrorism and inter gang rivalry. He has recently undertaken work linked to high profile arrests in sexual abuse cases. These are of particular interest to him given his historic involvement in Operation Cleopatra (i.e. the Greater Manchester investigation into the historic sexual abuse of children in care homes in the region) and in which he acted as Counsel for the Greater Manchester local authorities. He has been involved in a number of complex and high profile public Inquiries and Inquests including: The Everall Inquiry – A Public Inquiry into the murder of two young people whilst in care The Patterson Inquiry – An Inquiry into the death of a child by her mentally ill mother The Inquest into the Death of Sabina Akhtar – Inquest into the unlawful killing of a mother by her partner amidst on-going multi-agency involvement The Trafford House Fires Inquest – Inquest into the unlawful killing of a mother and some of her children after a deliberate arson attack on her home by a former partner amidst multi-agency involvement. As well as a series of lesser publicised inquests (involving issues such as the corporate manslaughter, children/young person either in or linked to the care system who have died of unascertainable causes or in avoidable accidents). Simon regularly advises and represents local authorities in judicial review cases involving the interpretation of the Children Act 1989 and the allied legislation and guidance issued thereunder. He has a particular interest in those relating to allowances paid to different classes of carers and is instructed in a string of cases brought to determine the extent of a local authority’s obligations under section 17 to those who no longer qualify for mainstream benefits. Through such work, he receives instructions to draft policies for local authorities which accord with the applicable Law. He also has a growing interest in Court of Protection work and is still no stranger to complex and high net worth financial settlement cases and private law children’s cases of complexity and/or with an international dimension.

Simon Charles

Simon’s practice is focused on financial issues arising out of family and private client matters. Simon has narrowed his practice from broad chancery/commercial work meaning that he has a wealth of experience in the company, commercial and fiscal issues which often lie at the heart of his cases. Simon’s practice encompasses the following: Family finance – (matrimonial, cohabitation disputes and schedule 1 of the Children Act) All aspects of contested probate Claims under the Inheritance Act Drafting/Advice concerning pre-nuptial agreements, Deeds of Variation and other similar documents Tax tribunal appeals Professional negligence (especially in relation to the above matters).

Sylvia Vir Singh

Sylvia is a Family Law specialist and experienced in all fields. In public law matters she represents local authorities, parents and extended families, and children and has a particular interest in cases involving complex medical evidence namely non-accidental head injuries; purported fabricated and/or induced illness; and alleged bone disease. She is developing a practice involving care and adoption cases with an international element. Her practice includes matrimonial finance with an emphasis on cases involving significant assets; family owned businesses; trust structures and valuation issues. Sylvia’s practice also includes international jurisdictional disputes and multifaceted private law applications including complex medical evidence and leave to remove children from the jurisdiction,difficult child arrangement applications involving proven sexual abuse, homicide, private adoptions, protracted contact cases and international relocation. Sylvia regularly appears in the family court and carries out an increasing amount of litigation in the High Court.

Timothy Ashmole

Tim has a strong Criminal practice based, predominantly, in the Midlands and North West of England. His experience spans a full range of work from Murder to Road Traffic matters. Tim has defended and prosecuted at all levels, from the Magistrates Court to Murder cases in the Crown Court. He has a particular strength in cases involving allegations of Firearms, Drugs and Sexual Offences, where he has a unique ability and approach to the witness testimony of child witnesses.

William Poole

William enjoys a busy court, advisory and paper practice specialising in Commercial Litigation, Clinical Negligence, Personal Injury, Costs and Mediation. William is in trial virtually every week acting for insurers in defence of large and invariably exaggerated, often fraudulent credit hire claims. He acts exclusively for insurers in the field.He is well-versed on handling the often substantial amounts of financial documentation that large hire claims can involve. He also has a deep understanding of the procedural requirements involved when giving disclosure or drafting pleadings which in such cases are so often inadequate and determinative.Since the introduction of s.57 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act, 2015, William has secured dozens of findings of fundamental dishonesty for his insurer clients. Since the introduction of QOCS, William now advises insurers about how to recover the costs of failed hire claims from the hire companies, especially after a finding of dishonesty, and is enjoying recent consistent success in the field. William acts for both Claimants and Defendants in Clinical Negligence,  Personal Injury and Costs disputes. In PI William specialises in brain and spinal injuries and deals with cases of the utmost severity. William qualified as a CEDR trained mediator in 2016.

Zahra Baqri

Zahra Baqri is a criminal law practitioner whose experience and specialism encompasses all aspects of serious crime and fraud. Zahra is a CPS Level 3 Prosecutor, and has prosecuted (whether that be in the capacity of reviewing lawyer or advocate) in some of the region’s most serious cases, including many cases of murder, attempted murder, child destruction, child cruelty, serious sexual offending, unlawful manslaughter and fraud.

Zillah Williams

As well as representing defendants in a wide variety of cases, as a Category 3 Prosecutor, Zillah receives instructions in cases involving deception, drugs, violence and offences of a sexual nature.