The Bar - Regional Bar • Northern Circuit
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Family: children and domestic abuse

St John's Buildings

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St John’s Buildings‘ family law members appear before all levels of court, including the Family Division of the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court. The set is home to a number of silks, including Frances Heaton KC, who is well-equipped to handle complex public law children proceedings, especially those involving serious and fatal injuries, alleged familial involvement in organised crime, and allegations of fabricated illness. Lorraine Cavanagh KC has a particular interest in complex brain injury cases, and she represented the parents in a Court of Appeal case that established the correct legal test for a risk of harm requiring a proven factual foundation. Karl Rowley KC is skilled in cases that require complex medical evidence, including child death and purported poisoning. Shaun Spencer KC often appears before the High Court in cases arising from child deaths and sexual abuse allegations. Kate Burnell KC has expertise in the detention of children and deprivation of liberty. Among the juniors, Clare Grundy represents children, parents, and family members, as well as guardians and local authorities, and Eleanor Keehan has substantial experience in handling matters involving parents who may lack capacity.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The clerks are excellent. They are personable, helpful, and they bend over backwards to secure the KC or counsel you want. Dan Johnson is absolutely fantastic. He is extremely well organised.'
  • 'Some excellent clerks who are accommodating, and these include Gail Curran and Dan Johnson.'
  • 'The clerks are fantastic and will do everything they can to find a solution, often at very short notice. Mark Robinson is particularly approachable.'
  • 'Dan Johnson is always approachable, friendly, and really keen to provide appropriate counsel. He really goes above and beyond.'
  • 'Paul Laverty is in a league of his own and goes out of his way to provide a first-class service.'
  • 'The clerks are brilliant. Paul Laverty in particular is fantastic.'
  • 'I always receive prompt responses from Gail Whelan; nothing is too much trouble for her and she is always willing to assist.'

Silks

Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Karl Rowley KC
St John’s Buildings
 'Karl combines intellectual acumen of the first order with beguiling advocacy, which has judges, witnesses, and opponents alike carried along to where he wants to take them. He is of that rare breed where you find yourself taking note of what he has said not just for the purposes of the case he is speaking about but to be able to use it yourself in other cases.'
Kate Burnell KC
St John’s Buildings
 'Kate's communication on cases is excellent, and she is always available to assist with queries, offer advice, and arrange conferences to discuss developments. She provides robust advice with clear paths forward, and her composed and measured approach to cross-examination is second-to-none.'
Lorraine Cavanagh KC
St John’s Buildings
 'Lorraine's finger-tip knowledge of the law is envied by many and her written work is exceptional. A fearless opponent who tackles the seemingly unwinnable, often with surprising results.'
Frances Heaton KC
St John’s Buildings
‘Frances is approachable above anything else, as well as friendly, helpful, and deals with her work with compassion and humour, which is very welcome. She responds quickly to difficult situations which arise in complex cases and she is very clear in her advice.’
2023 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Shaun Spencer KC
St John’s Buildings
 ‘Shaun is a quality advocate and his in-depth knowledge of the facts of the case and of the relevant law are always exemplary. Alongside that is his ability to make our professional clients feel at ease and comfortable in his presence, and he is able to deliver his legal advice in simple terms such that clients often ask for him to be specifically instructed.’

Juniors

Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
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Eleanor Keehan
St John’s Buildings
 'Eleanor is a fantastic barrister, her advocacy and written work is clear, precise, and thorough, and she makes clients feel at ease, particularly professional clients like children's guardians, where the law is complex and can be quite intimidating. She is well respected on the circuit and a pleasure to work with.'
2
Pauline McHugh
St John’s Buildings
 ‘Pauline is absolutely formidable, and she is an outstanding barrister, incredibly bright, meticulously well prepared, and undoubtedly the one you want in your corner on any case. She is regularly instructed in complex cases and is a superb advocate.’
2
Clare Grundy
St John’s Buildings
 ‘Clare is professional, approachable, able to tailor her advice dependant on who she is speaking with, and provides attendance notes and draft orders quickly following the hearing. She is very competent and has successfully advocated on cases involving vulnerable mothers, including immigration and housing issues.'
3
Michelle Burley
St John’s Buildings
 ‘A brilliant all-rounder, Michelle is strong with both children and finance cases, she works incredibly hard, and her preparation is immaculate. She knows cases inside out, and she is brilliant with clients and a delight to instruct.’
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Matthew Carey
St John’s Buildings 
‘Matthew is a very trusted, capable pair of hands to leave your case in. He is extremely professional and competent, his advocacy skills have been observed to be excellent, and he builds a good rapport with clients, particularly vulnerable clients.'
4
Callum Brook
St John’s Buildings
‘Callum is fantastic, intelligent, well-prepared, and unflappable. He is a go-to in complicated cases, he has extensive knowledge in High Court proceedings, and his advocacy is excellent.’
4
Clodagh Maguire
St John’s Buildings
 'Clodagh goes over and above in terms of drafting and advice. She prioritises her matters and has in-depth knowledge of the proceedings.'
4
Kerry Holt
St John’s Buildings
‘Kerry is among the most well-rounded and complete advocates on the circuit. She combines all of the best attributes required, her written work and communication is of outstanding quality, she is always meticulously prepared, and her knowledge of the law is unquestionable.’
Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
Daniel Currie
St John’s Buildings
 'Daniel is a first choice of counsel, particularly in complex private law children matters. He is an exceptional barrister; pragmatic and professional, while possessing an approachable and sympathetic manner with clients that puts them at ease.'
Helen Crowell
St John’s Buildings
‘Helen has a measured calm to her advocacy, not often seen in practitioners of her level of call. She is phenomenally bright, yet particularly approachable and engaging.’

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