With physical presences in Oxford and London, Harcourt Chambers is a ‘go-to set’ for family law matters on circuit and has an extensive roster of ‘intellectually strong barristers who go above and beyond to achieve client goals’. Nick Goodwin KC has long-standing experience of handling both public and private law proceedings, and successfully represented the local authority in N (Children: Revocation of Placement Orders), Re, a Court of Appeal case related to a placement order for two children. John Vater KC is a ‘powerhouse of energy and commitment in court’ who has a track record of representing parents facing the most serious allegations of child abuse. Aidan Vine KC specialises in complex child abduction and fatal injury cases, while the ‘extremely bright and hard-working’ Sara Granshaw represented the council in Wokingham Borough Council v Mother & Ors, a matter related to alleged sexual abuse. Alex Forbes has recently handled cases involving allegations of fabricated or induced injury, and Simon Miller is a ‘tough cross-examiner’ who assisted the local authority in the Court of Appeal with care orders made for three children against the father’s wishes in J & Ors, Re (Children: Interim Removal). Jason Green MCIArb is highly regarded for his ‘thorough and extremely sharp analysis of legal issues’ and advised a father seeking the return of his daughter following the death of the mother in B v G, a Hague Convention case brought against the child’s grandmother, who took the child from Spain to the UK after the child’s mother’s death from cancer. Damian Garrido KC, as was, is now a High Court judge.
Family: children and domestic abuse in
Regional Bar
Harcourt Chambers
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‘Matthew Molloy, Laurie Amron and Darcey Cunnew are all fantastic, helpful and quick to respond.’
‘The clerks are all extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Laurie Amron and Matthew Molloy have always been extremely helpful.’
‘Matthew Molloy is very efficient and always on hand to assist.’
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1 Crown Office Row Brighton
1 Crown Office Row is ‘an outstanding set’ with ‘excellent and unrivalled choice of counsel at all levels’. Eleanor Battie is a ‘robust and professional lawyer with meticulous attention to detail who leaves no stone unturned in her pursuit of justice for her clients’ and handles both private and public law matters in all tiers of the family court. Timothy Bergin’s practice has a particular focus on representing parents and guardians in complex care cases, while Kirsten Japp specialises in private family law matters and ‘is instantly able to build an excellent rapport with clients’. Clare Ciborowska is always ‘accessible and willing to go above and beyond for clients’ and Rachel Gimson is described as a ‘tenacious advocate with excellent communication skills’.
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‘The clerks are fantastic, always helpful and go beyond expectations. David Bingham is always incredibly helpful and great to deal with.’
‘David Bingham is approachable and a prompt communicator. He always makes a point of ensuring he connects with solicitors at events. His friendly and relaxed approach is always a reassuring and uplifting addition to a day or an event.’
‘The clerking team is first class. Ben Earle is helpful, efficient, always incredibly understanding and goes above and beyond.’
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Guildford Chambers
Guildford Chambers is ‘an excellent set with a strong and unrivalled family team’. Fiona Griffin has longstanding experience of representing parents, grandparents, guardians and local authorities in public and private family law proceedings. Christine Julien has ‘excellent communication and interpersonal skills along with an analytical mind’ and specialises in representing children and vulnerable parents in public law proceedings, with particular expertise in cases involving allegations of physical abuse of children. Andrew Austin is a ‘very robust advocate with keen attention to detail’ and advises on the full range of private children law disputes related to abuse, parental alienation, implacable hostility, and relocation of children.
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‘Gavin Street and Simon Morris are extremely efficient, organised and willing to help in any way.’
‘Gavin Street always goes above and beyond to help with any cases which come up on short notice.’
‘Guildford Chambers is incredibly high, and there is consistency in terms of the knowledge and experience of counsel.’
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3PB
3PB is ‘a strong set, with strength in depth and good availability of counsel’, offering support across all areas of public and private children’s law proceedings. A ‘robust and effective advocate’, Nicola Martin handles the most complex care, child abduction and relocation cases, while Emma Griffiths is ‘an exceptionally gifted barrister’ who is ‘always clear and focussed in her submissions which are well prepared and researched’. Rising star Sam Pentony is also recommended.
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‘Ian Charlton is amazing and always eager to assist.’
‘All of the clerks are great. Patrick Steptoe is excellent.’
‘The clerks are experienced, helpful and quick to respond. Ian Charlton and Isabelle Lee are resourceful, going to great lengths to ensure that counsel’s diaries are properly managed.’
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42BR Barristers
42 Bedford Row is ‘a go-to set’ whose ‘barristers are always professional and very competent’, handling a wide range of family law cases. Gemma Farrington KC is ‘a tenacious and effective advocate’ and is known for her ‘strong cross-examination skills’, focusing on public and private children’s law, in particular cases with an international element. Kate Kochnari, who ‘has exceptional client care skills and knows how to manage vulnerable clients before a hearing’, regularly represents clients in difficult children cases. A ‘fearless’ Samuel Davis is known for his work in cases related to child trafficking and sexual abuse.
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‘James Tidnam is always quick to respond and assist with booking counsel. He is always able to find a suitable barrister for a matter. He is always kind, proactive and responsive to deal with.’
‘James Tidnam and Tim Dockrill are both extremely helpful and always at the end of the phone to deal with queries.’
‘The clerks are helpful, particularly James Tidnam.’
Becket Chambers
A ‘well-organised set’ Becket Chambers ‘with a wide range and good choice of counsel available’ continues to handle family and child law matters across all levels of the court system. Louisa Adamson regularly appears before all levels of the family justice system, and Nicole Jennings garners praise for ‘her seamless and persuasive advocacy’. Sophie Gray and ‘effective advocate’ Adrian Pidduck are also recommended.
Referenzen
‘Arron Smith and Paul Eaton are fantastic. They are always willing to help find the right counsel for the clients. They often go above and beyond to ensure that you get the best counsel for a matter.’
‘Arron Smith and Paul Eaton are very forthcoming with information and get back quickly to progress matters and reassure clients.’
‘Arron Smith is efficient, accommodating and helpful.’
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Pallant Chambers
Pallant Chambers is praised as ‘a phenomenal set’ that ‘always goes above and beyond’ handling a wide range of matters, from allegations of physical and sexual abuse and deprivation of liberty to parental alienation and the relocation of children. Graeme Harrison covers private and public law applications and is known for his ‘strong technical skills’ and ‘very strong advocate’ Colin Morgan is skilled in handling cases concerning unexplained injuries to children and is ‘able to support and assist the client to the hearings’. ‘A very experienced practitioner and a go-to counsel for complex cases’, Dylan Morgan‘s practice encompasses serious abuse of children and fabricated and induced illness.
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‘Wonderful, efficient and friendly service from the clerking team at Pallant Chambers. Alister Williams is particularly accommodating and finding solutions to all issues around timing and other matters.’
‘The clerks at Pallant Chambers are simply wonderful. Alister Williams has enormously accommodating on some tricky issues.’
‘Sarah Sweatman and Alister Williams are always extremely helpful and professional.’
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Trinity Chambers
‘A wide choice of counsel with varying skill sets and experience’ of Trinity Chambers is highly adept at handling all types of public and private children’s law cases. ‘A robust advocate’, Stefanie Wickins is ‘always meticulous and thorough in her preparation and establishes a good rapport with clients’. Daniel Attridge is admired for his ‘calm authority in the courtroom’ and has particular expertise in complex private law children cases. Alice Newton specialises in parental alienation allegations and domestic abuse cases and ‘always puts forward clear and concise arguments in court’.
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‘Keith Willmore is always been very helpful together with all the clerks. Particularly helpful is Tony Sleigh.’
‘The clerks are all helpful, particularly Keith Willmore and Tony Sleigh.’
‘The clerks are always helpful and knowledgeable. They can provide recommendations of particular counsel appropriate for the issue at hand. Keith Willmore and Ben White are always particularly helpful.’
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Fenners Chambers
Fenners Chambers is ‘a reliable set of chambers with a good calibre of barristers’ and continues to handle family and child law matters across all court levels. Katharine Ferguson exclusively works on private children’s law proceedings and is described as someone who ‘leaves no stone unturned, and is meticulous in ensuring that all arguments’. ‘A courteous and cerebral advocate’, Benjamin Phillips specialises in cases related to parental alienation and domestic abuse.
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‘Cathy Hugo is an absolute superstar.’
‘Paul Green and Cathy Hugo are very approachable and helpful.’
‘Paul Green has always been on hand to help resolve any queries or difficulties. Cathy Hugo is immensely helpful and goes the extra mile to assist with counsel bookings.’
Pump Court Chambers
Pump Court Chambers continues to handle family and child law matters across all levels of the court system for a wide range of clients, including local authorities, parents and children’s guardians. Simon Johnson is admired for his ‘thorough preparation for complex cases and the trial bundle at his fingertips’, while Elizabeth Spence is ‘a formidable advocate who gives realistic and pragmatic advice at the outset’.
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‘Pump Court Chambers has several good and experienced barristers in the set.’
‘Pump Court Chambers is approachable and offers a high calibre of advocacy.’
‘Pump Court goes from strength to strength with good advocates at all levels and makes efforts to meet clients’ needs.’
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Westgate Chambers
Westgate Chambers has ‘a strong offering of barristers across the family law practice area’ for a wide range of clients, including parents and children’s guardians. Sarah Taite is ‘a go-to barrister’ and garners praise for being ‘assertive and passionate in court’, while ‘a highly skilled advocate’, Maria Hancock, is also singled out for her experience.
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‘Clerks are very accommodating, always open to discussion and provide excellent service, in particular, Stuart Taylor is impressive.’
‘All the clerks are very friendly, professional, helpful and supportive. Adam Armstrong stands out with the service he provides and the lengths he goes to.’
‘Stuart Taylor and Adam Armstrong provide exemplary service, and communication is their strength.’
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Harcourt Chambers
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‘Matthew Molloy, Laurie Amron and Darcey Cunnew are all fantastic, helpful and quick to respond.’
‘The clerks are all extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Laurie Amron and Matthew Molloy have always been extremely helpful.’
‘Matthew Molloy is very efficient and always on hand to assist.’
Highlight-Mandate
1 Crown Office Row Brighton
1 Crown Office Row is ‘an outstanding set’ with ‘excellent and unrivalled choice of counsel at all levels’. Eleanor Battie is a ‘robust and professional lawyer with meticulous attention to detail who leaves no stone unturned in her pursuit of justice for her clients’ and handles both private and public law matters in all tiers of the family court. Timothy Bergin’s practice has a particular focus on representing parents and guardians in complex care cases, while Kirsten Japp specialises in private family law matters and ‘is instantly able to build an excellent rapport with clients’. Clare Ciborowska is always ‘accessible and willing to go above and beyond for clients’ and Rachel Gimson is described as a ‘tenacious advocate with excellent communication skills’.
Referenzen
‘The clerks are fantastic, always helpful and go beyond expectations. David Bingham is always incredibly helpful and great to deal with.’
‘David Bingham is approachable and a prompt communicator. He always makes a point of ensuring he connects with solicitors at events. His friendly and relaxed approach is always a reassuring and uplifting addition to a day or an event.’
‘The clerking team is first class. Ben Earle is helpful, efficient, always incredibly understanding and goes above and beyond.’
Highlight-Mandate
Guildford Chambers
Guildford Chambers is ‘an excellent set with a strong and unrivalled family team’. Fiona Griffin has longstanding experience of representing parents, grandparents, guardians and local authorities in public and private family law proceedings. Christine Julien has ‘excellent communication and interpersonal skills along with an analytical mind’ and specialises in representing children and vulnerable parents in public law proceedings, with particular expertise in cases involving allegations of physical abuse of children. Andrew Austin is a ‘very robust advocate with keen attention to detail’ and advises on the full range of private children law disputes related to abuse, parental alienation, implacable hostility, and relocation of children.
Referenzen
‘Gavin Street and Simon Morris are extremely efficient, organised and willing to help in any way.’
‘Gavin Street always goes above and beyond to help with any cases which come up on short notice.’
‘Guildford Chambers is incredibly high, and there is consistency in terms of the knowledge and experience of counsel.’
Highlight-Mandate
3PB
3PB is ‘a strong set, with strength in depth and good availability of counsel’, offering support across all areas of public and private children’s law proceedings. A ‘robust and effective advocate’, Nicola Martin handles the most complex care, child abduction and relocation cases, while Emma Griffiths is ‘an exceptionally gifted barrister’ who is ‘always clear and focussed in her submissions which are well prepared and researched’. Rising star Sam Pentony is also recommended.
Referenzen
‘Ian Charlton is amazing and always eager to assist.’
‘All of the clerks are great. Patrick Steptoe is excellent.’
‘The clerks are experienced, helpful and quick to respond. Ian Charlton and Isabelle Lee are resourceful, going to great lengths to ensure that counsel’s diaries are properly managed.’
Highlight-Mandate
42BR Barristers
42 Bedford Row is ‘a go-to set’ whose ‘barristers are always professional and very competent’, handling a wide range of family law cases. Gemma Farrington KC is ‘a tenacious and effective advocate’ and is known for her ‘strong cross-examination skills’, focusing on public and private children’s law, in particular cases with an international element. Kate Kochnari, who ‘has exceptional client care skills and knows how to manage vulnerable clients before a hearing’, regularly represents clients in difficult children cases. A ‘fearless’ Samuel Davis is known for his work in cases related to child trafficking and sexual abuse.
Referenzen
‘James Tidnam is always quick to respond and assist with booking counsel. He is always able to find a suitable barrister for a matter. He is always kind, proactive and responsive to deal with.’
‘James Tidnam and Tim Dockrill are both extremely helpful and always at the end of the phone to deal with queries.’
‘The clerks are helpful, particularly James Tidnam.’
Becket Chambers
A ‘well-organised set’ Becket Chambers ‘with a wide range and good choice of counsel available’ continues to handle family and child law matters across all levels of the court system. Louisa Adamson regularly appears before all levels of the family justice system, and Nicole Jennings garners praise for ‘her seamless and persuasive advocacy’. Sophie Gray and ‘effective advocate’ Adrian Pidduck are also recommended.
Referenzen
‘Arron Smith and Paul Eaton are fantastic. They are always willing to help find the right counsel for the clients. They often go above and beyond to ensure that you get the best counsel for a matter.’
‘Arron Smith and Paul Eaton are very forthcoming with information and get back quickly to progress matters and reassure clients.’
‘Arron Smith is efficient, accommodating and helpful.’
Highlight-Mandate
Pallant Chambers
Pallant Chambers is praised as ‘a phenomenal set’ that ‘always goes above and beyond’ handling a wide range of matters, from allegations of physical and sexual abuse and deprivation of liberty to parental alienation and the relocation of children. Graeme Harrison covers private and public law applications and is known for his ‘strong technical skills’ and ‘very strong advocate’ Colin Morgan is skilled in handling cases concerning unexplained injuries to children and is ‘able to support and assist the client to the hearings’. ‘A very experienced practitioner and a go-to counsel for complex cases’, Dylan Morgan‘s practice encompasses serious abuse of children and fabricated and induced illness.
Referenzen
‘Wonderful, efficient and friendly service from the clerking team at Pallant Chambers. Alister Williams is particularly accommodating and finding solutions to all issues around timing and other matters.’
‘The clerks at Pallant Chambers are simply wonderful. Alister Williams has enormously accommodating on some tricky issues.’
‘Sarah Sweatman and Alister Williams are always extremely helpful and professional.’
Highlight-Mandate
Trinity Chambers
‘A wide choice of counsel with varying skill sets and experience’ of Trinity Chambers is highly adept at handling all types of public and private children’s law cases. ‘A robust advocate’, Stefanie Wickins is ‘always meticulous and thorough in her preparation and establishes a good rapport with clients’. Daniel Attridge is admired for his ‘calm authority in the courtroom’ and has particular expertise in complex private law children cases. Alice Newton specialises in parental alienation allegations and domestic abuse cases and ‘always puts forward clear and concise arguments in court’.
Referenzen
‘Keith Willmore is always been very helpful together with all the clerks. Particularly helpful is Tony Sleigh.’
‘The clerks are all helpful, particularly Keith Willmore and Tony Sleigh.’
‘The clerks are always helpful and knowledgeable. They can provide recommendations of particular counsel appropriate for the issue at hand. Keith Willmore and Ben White are always particularly helpful.’
Highlight-Mandate
Fenners Chambers
Fenners Chambers is ‘a reliable set of chambers with a good calibre of barristers’ and continues to handle family and child law matters across all court levels. Katharine Ferguson exclusively works on private children’s law proceedings and is described as someone who ‘leaves no stone unturned, and is meticulous in ensuring that all arguments’. ‘A courteous and cerebral advocate’, Benjamin Phillips specialises in cases related to parental alienation and domestic abuse.
Referenzen
‘Cathy Hugo is an absolute superstar.’
‘Paul Green and Cathy Hugo are very approachable and helpful.’
‘Paul Green has always been on hand to help resolve any queries or difficulties. Cathy Hugo is immensely helpful and goes the extra mile to assist with counsel bookings.’
Pump Court Chambers
Pump Court Chambers continues to handle family and child law matters across all levels of the court system for a wide range of clients, including local authorities, parents and children’s guardians. Simon Johnson is admired for his ‘thorough preparation for complex cases and the trial bundle at his fingertips’, while Elizabeth Spence is ‘a formidable advocate who gives realistic and pragmatic advice at the outset’.
Referenzen
‘Pump Court Chambers has several good and experienced barristers in the set.’
‘Pump Court Chambers is approachable and offers a high calibre of advocacy.’
‘Pump Court goes from strength to strength with good advocates at all levels and makes efforts to meet clients’ needs.’
Highlight-Mandate
Westgate Chambers
Westgate Chambers has ‘a strong offering of barristers across the family law practice area’ for a wide range of clients, including parents and children’s guardians. Sarah Taite is ‘a go-to barrister’ and garners praise for being ‘assertive and passionate in court’, while ‘a highly skilled advocate’, Maria Hancock, is also singled out for her experience.
Referenzen
‘Clerks are very accommodating, always open to discussion and provide excellent service, in particular, Stuart Taylor is impressive.’
‘All the clerks are very friendly, professional, helpful and supportive. Adam Armstrong stands out with the service he provides and the lengths he goes to.’
‘Stuart Taylor and Adam Armstrong provide exemplary service, and communication is their strength.’