St John's Buildings

Family - Children

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.

Philippa studied Law at Manchester University and was called to the Bar in July 2004. A member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, she received the Hubert Greenland award during her pupillage year.

Penwortham Girls High School, Preston; University of Manchester (2003 LLB).