Lisa Houghton > Chambers of Frances Heaton KC and Richard Norton > Manchester, England > Barrister Profile

Lisa Houghton

0161 214 1500 clerk@stjohnsbuildings.co.uk View profile

Work Department

Family - Children

Position

Lisa represents local authorities, parents, extended family members and children in public law cases. She frequently appears in complex care proceedings where the central issues involve allegations of inflicted injuries including head injuries, shaken baby syndrome and multiple fractures requiring expert medical evidence. Her case load includes fabricated illness, serious neglect, mental illness, psychological impairment and sexual abuse involving historic and interfamilial allegations. She has dealt with cases involving child death both with and without leading counsel.

Lisa has been instructed in care proceedings involving child sexual exploitation following high profile criminal investigations. She is experienced at dealing with care proceedings and concurrent criminal proceedings and attending linked care and crime directions.

She has dealt with a number of cases involving the application of Brussels II Revised where the court had to consider the appropriateness or otherwise of transferring the proceedings to another jurisdiction.

She deals with all matters relating to adoption and special guardianship applications, whether in the context of care proceedings or otherwise.

In private law proceedings Lisa is instructed in multi-faceted applications which include issues of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, familial homicide, implacable hostility, children with a reduced life expectancy and/or special needs, and removal from the jurisdiction. She acts on behalf of children following the appointment of a Guardian pursuant to r.16.4.

Career

Lisa was called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn in 1994.