Elizabeth is a specialist family law practitioner and advocate. Elizabeth was called to the Bar in 1998 but actually began her career in family law in 1987 when she commenced employment with North Yorkshire County Council as a legal assistant in the child care department. Elizabeth has therefore over 24 years of experience in family law advocacy. During her time at the Bar, Elizabeth has been instructed on extremely complex cases and she has regularly appeared in cases in the County Court and High Court that have included issues of severe sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, fictitious illness, poisoning, death of a child, murder of a parent. She regularly appears in cases, and has to call and/or cross-examine medical witnesses and experts, including pathologists, paediatricians and radiologists. In 2010/2011, Elizabeth was led by Leading Counsel in four different public law cases that involved significant and complex issues of medical evidence, disclosure, abuse of process and capacity. Elizabeth represents a wide range of clients including local authorities, parents, grandparents, guardians and the Official Solicitor. Elizabeth has also been regularly instructed on behalf of privately paying clients in private law disputes involving contact, residence, change of surname, change of school and move from the jurisdiction. In view of her extensive local authority experience, Elizabeth has also been instructed to advise local authorities on aspects of their public law responsibilities, including judicial review and compliance with internal policies and statutory regulations. Having gained considerable experience in dealing with vulnerable clients, particularly those who are enduring distressing and stressful personal circumstances and have communication difficulties, Elizabeth welcomes instructions in cases involving forced marriages and Court of Protection. Elizabeth also has experience of presenting and defending cases in the Employment Tribunal.

University of Teesside (LLB (Hons) 1st); University of Northumbria (BVC).