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  1. Children law (including public and private law) – Leading Sets
  2. Children law (including public and private law) – Leading Silks
  3. Children law (including public and private law) – New Silks
  4. Children law (including public and private law) – Leading Juniors

Children law (including public and private law) – New Silks

1 Garden Court Family Law Chambers is a specialist set which focuses on international and private child law, adoption and child abduction matters. Head of chambers Stephen Cobb QC is ‘extraordinarily impressive’, and is classed as ‘probably the best in the country in relation to children matters’. Alison Ball QC recently acted in a number of reported cases including McG v Neath Port Talbot and Re S, Charles Geekie QC acts in both public and private law cases, and Judith Rowe QC has recently acted in a number of care proceedings cases. The team recently recruited Alison Russell QC from Coram Chambers. Recently appointed silk Sarah Morgan QC is also recommended.

4 Paper Buildings has an ‘unrivalled collection of senior and junior barristers in the field’. Marcus Scott-Manderson QC has ‘outstanding attention to detail and an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law’, and ‘devastating advocateHenry Setright QC is ‘unrivalled in this area’. Jo Delahunty QC has ‘a razor-sharp mind with a phenomenal work-rate’, and recently appointed silk Catherine Wood QC is also highly recommended. Of the juniors, Teertha Gupta is the ‘leading child abduction junior at the family Bar’ and Charles Hale is ‘a formidable advocate, particularly in cross-examination . David Williams is a ‘recognised expert’, Sam King is ‘outstanding’ and Elizabeth Couch is ‘exceptionally knowledgeable’. Peter Jackson QC was recently elevated to the High Court.

At 29 Bedford Row Chambers, Timothy Scott QC is the ‘pre-eminent guru in European jurisdiction cases’, and highly recommended for both his abduction and his ancillary relief expertise. Paul Storey QC is noted for his experience in relation to non-accidental injuries and private law work. Indira Ramsahoye has ‘excellent court skills’, and is recommended for her child abduction specialism. Jonathan Tod focuses on Schedule 1 Act cases. The ‘extremely hardworking and intelligentPiers Pressdee QC is also recommended.

The team at 42 Bedford Row is particularly noted for its expertise in public children law, and also advises on Adoption Act applications, child abduction and private Children Act applications. Recommended barristers include Jonathan Bennett, who focuses on public law care proceedings, and Anna McKenna advises on public, private and ancillary relief. Jeremy Rosenblatt handles both domestic and international children law relief.

Garden Court Chambers is the ‘chambers of choice for care work’, and ‘the barristers are always dedicated and committed to the cases and clients’. Individuals of note include Ian Peddie QC, who is ‘very thorough in his cross-examination, and is excellent at pulling the evidence together’, and ‘experienced and tenacious advocate’ Maggie Jones, who ‘is enthusiastic and dedicated to children law’.

At 1 Hare Court, Michael Nicholls QC is ‘undoubtedly the authority on issues relating to the international movement of children’, and ‘he really has the ear of the judges, particularly in appellate work’. Rebecca Carew Pole is ‘charismatic and firm in her advice, as well as sensitive and sympathetic whilst retaining razor-sharp objectivity’.

At 1 King’s Bench Walk, the ‘hugely experienced and knowledgeableDeborah Eaton QC is ‘the primus inter pares of private children work’. Anthony Kirk QC is a ‘first choice for factually difficult cases’, and ‘has an international mediation practice that is second to none’, and Charles Howard QC is ‘superb’. Of the juniors, Madeleine Reardon is ‘absolutely excellent’ and ‘ferociously bright’, Caroline Lister is ‘a delight to work with’, and Deepak Nagpal is ‘hardworking, bright and excellent value’.

Coram Chambers has ‘a deserved reputation for representing a wide diversity of clients, with particular strength in publicly funded work and work which has a political element’. Roger McCarthy QC has a wide-ranging family law practice which includes adoption, abduction and surrogacy. Martha Cover has a ‘prodigious work rate’ and an ‘encyclopaedic knowledge of her practice area’, which covers public and private law, and Khatun Sapnara is an ‘expert in children work, forced marriages and issues of domestic violence’.

At Field Court Chambers, Dennis Sharpe is ‘excellent’, and is praised for his ability to grasp the complex technical issues of a case. Ruth Cabeza is known for her expertise in care proceedings and adoption cases, and has also recently acted in high-profile international surrogacy case Re IJ (A Child). Lucy Theis QC was recently elevated to the High Court.

The quality of counsel at Harcourt Chambers is ‘excellent’. At senior level, Frances Judd QC is a ‘superb advocate in children cases’, and among the juniors Edward Devereux is ‘very intelligent, tenacious and creative’, and ‘one of the rising stars of international children work’. John Vater is also recommended.

Other notable practitioners include Laura Scott at Tanfield Chambers (‘extremely articulate and thorough’); William Tyler at 36 Bedford Row (‘superb’, and an ‘exceptional advocate’); and Morgan Sirikanda at QEB (‘categorically excellent in all respects’).

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Legal Developments in the UK

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