St John's Buildings

Family - Children

Zoe regularly acts on behalf of local authorities, parents, children and extended family members in public law proceedings from the commencement of proceedings until final hearing.  Her experience in public law proceedings includes cases involving the following issues:

• • fabricated illness;
  • radicalisation;
  • inflicted injuries;
  • sexual abuse;
  • serious emotional harm;
  • serious behavioural difficulties requiring residential placements/secure accommodation
  • disabilities;
  • learning difficulties;
  • cultural issues;
  • serious drug/alcohol misuse;
  • chronic neglect; and
  • international complexities.Zoe also acts in a range of Children Act 1989 cases for parents, relatives and local authorities that either require representation but are not parties or who are joined as parties. Zoe regularly acts in CAP matters including cases involving issues such as:
    • with whom the child(ren) should live;
    • how much time the child(ren) should be spending with a parent and the nature of this time (supervised/supported);
    • internal relocation;
    • which school(s) the child(ren) should attend;
    • allegations of inflicted injuries;
    • sexual abuse allegations;
    • drug and alcohol misuse;
    • domestic abuse allegations;
    • emotional abuse allegations; and
    • parents with psychiatric and/or psychological disorders.

Prior to the Bar Zoe worked in the Youth, Education & Community Care and Strategic Litigation departments of children’s charity Just for Kids Law, a charity providing legal advice, support and representation to young people.  She worked with children and young people on the autistic spectrum, children with learning difficulties and with young offenders.

Zoe read law at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge and spent a year studying French Legal Studies at the University of Poitiers, France. She was called to the Bar by Inner Temple in 2011.