St John's Buildings

Family - Children, Court of Protection

• 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.

Karl read Philosophy and Theology at Oriel College, Oxford, followed by the Diploma in Law at Staffordshire University. He was called to the Bar in 1994 having received the Winston Churchill Pupillage Award from Middle Temple. He was appointed a Recorder in 2009 and took silk in 2013.

Holden Lane High School; City of Stoke on Trent Sixth Form College; Oxon (MA Philosophy and Theology); Staffordshire (Dip Law).