Family: children and domestic abuse

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.
1
Joanne Barnett
9 St John Street
 'Joanne's ability to set her lay client at ease is outstanding. She is an experienced and tenacious advocate who communicates effectively with both professional and lay clients.'
1
Yvonne Healing
18 St John Street Chambers
 'Yvonne has extensive experience in representing a wide range of clients, lay and professional, in public law cases, and she is a calm and collected advocate and ably presents the client's case.'
1
Fiona Holloran
18 St John Street Chambers
 'Fiona is an excellent family lawyer and an outstanding advocate. She is robust and will always fight the client's case as appropriate.'
1
Sarah Kilvington
9 St John Street
 'Sarah is clear and empathetic with clients, who like and trust her. She expertly handles even the most difficult of cases, and she is a robust and highly persuasive advocate.'
1
Kalsoom Maqsood
9 St John Street
 'Kalsoom is an extremely impressive barrister and an excellent advocate who is always thoroughly prepared and her experience and expertise means clients feel well represented. Her approach to representing clients means clients feel they have had a fair hearing, whatever the outcome of the case.'
1
Margaret Parr
7 Harrington Street
 ‘Margaret is just wonderful with clients, as she offers empathy and is a fierce advocate. She is a natural advocate and presents as extremely confident and knowledgeable.’
2
Rehana Begum
18 St John Street Chambers
 'Rehana is superb and always on top of her brief. She is a robust and a fair advocate.'
2
Samantha Birtles
18 St John Street Chambers
 ‘Samantha is a go-to in difficult care proceedings. She is always very impressive, thoroughly prepared, and a very persuasive advocate who goes the extra mile for the client and builds an excellent rapport with them.’
2
Kate Bramall
18 St John Street Chambers
 'Kate has excellent advocacy skills and is very able to put a client at ease. Feedback for her during and following hearings is excellent.'
2
Leonie Caplan
18 St John Street Chambers
 ‘Leonie is approachable, empathetic with clients, and gives careful advice about the prospects of the case, pursuing contested cases where instructed.’
2
Kate Donohue
18 St John Street Chambers
2
Lisa Edmunds
Unit Chambers
 ‘Lisa is very strategic, she leaves no stone unturned, and she ensures clients are represented fairly, bearing in mind each client's individual needs. Her advocacy is best described as fearless, she is tenacious in cross-examination, and she is calm.’
2
Julie Forsyth
Exchange Chambers
 'Julie has a wealth of knowledge that is second-to-none and she has a great understanding and empathy with clients. She is a formidable advocate and known for her tenacity, she is extremely professional, she always presents compelling arguments, she is totally committed to her client, and she is compassionate and kind and understands the emotional challenges that clients face and provides them with the much needed support throughout the case that they need.'
2
Patrick Gilmore
Deans Court Chambers
 'Patrick is an exceptionally gifted barrister, and he is clearly more than capable of handing the most complex of cases. What sets him apart from other barristers is his ability to adjust his advocacy style to the person he is giving evidence to.'
2
Emma Greenhalgh
9 St John Street
‘Emma is an excellent advocate who is always well-prepared. She is thorough and robust, extremely well respected on the northern circuit, and she is regularly instructed in cases of the utmost gravity.’
2
Rebecca Gregg
Deans Court Chambers
‘Rebecca’s strength is being able to provide a digest of the issue in the law which is up-to-date, concise, and delivered in an approachable manner. Rebecca is razor-sharp in dealing with issues of complexity and urgency.’
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.'
2
Christine Johnson
Atlantic Chambers
2
Sarah Johnson
Kenworthy’s Chambers
 
2
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
Nazmun Nisha Ismail
Central Chambers
‘Nazmun is an exceptional barrister and she is bright, exceptionally well-prepared, personable, and a superb advocate. She is extremely well-respected and fantastic at what she does, she is a sought after barrister for professional and lay clients, and a go-to in difficult cases.’
2
Peter Rothery
Deans Court Chambers
 'Peter's advocacy is persuasive and compelling, reflecting both his intellect and his forensic attention to detail. He always has a full grasp of his case, and is particularly skillful in his dealings with clients - not only professional clients, but also lay clients who, by the nature of public law proceedings, are dealing with one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives, and who are often struggling too with their own personal difficulties.'
2
Anna Warters
18 St John Street Chambers
 'Anna is an amazing advocate who is honest and amazing with clients who respect her. She also presents cases in a way that gets brilliant results for everyone, working well with the solicitor who instructs her so it is a real team effort to get what is best for the client.'
2
Sasha Watkinson
Deans Court Chambers
 'Sasha is an extremely experienced advocate who only has strengths. She is excellent with client care and very knowledgeable on family law, and she is able to explain complex family law terminology to clients in a simple way that they can understand.'
2
Paul Wright
7 Harrington Street
 ‘Paul is a thorough advocate who undertakes significant preparation. He deals particularly well with clients who have suffered trauma or abuse, he is calm and empathetic, and clients immediately warm to him and trust him.’
3
Farah Ahmed
18 St John Street Chambers
 ‘Farah has an excellent manner with lay clients, particularly those who are vulnerable or have difficulty in understanding. Farah is calm, patient, and approachable.’
3
Danish Ameen
18 St John Street Chambers
 'Danish is passionate about his cases, looks after his clients, and is empathetic in his approach while delivering robust advice. He is confident in handling complex children cases, and he has strong technical knowledge in bundling application and electronic working.'
3
Rachael Banks
St John’s Buildings
3
Kirstin Beswick
Central Chambers
 'Kirstin's quality is in her approach to clients, which is detailed and thoughtful. She has an excellent ability to provide an overview of a case, which enables her to be constructive and pragmatic, giving sensible advice which is grounded in the realities of a difficult situation.'
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.’
3
Archna Dawar
St John’s Buildings
3
Christian Durham Hall
15 Winckley Square
3
Lucinda France-Hayhurst
St John’s Buildings
3
Megan Gilchrist
7 Harrington Street
‘Megan is a very efficient, calming, and measured barrister. She is very organised and supportive to work alongside, and she gets orders to you in record speed.’
3
Suzanne Hargreaves
Cobden House Chambers
 'Suzanne is tenacious and well prepared for each case in which she is instructed. She establishes a good rapport with the client, she goes into great detail when considering the evidence, in particular medical or scientific evidence, and she is quick to identify weaknesses in the evidence presented by local authorities when she represents parents in care proceedings and has been able to turn around apparently hopeless cases.'
3
Kathryn Hughes
Exchange Chambers
3
Deanna Hymanson
Cobden House Chambers
 'Deanna is deeply empathetic, she listens carefully to the client, and pays close attention to to the instructions provided. She is a skilled and robust advocate and is astute enough to foresee possible glitches ahead and plan accordingly.'
3
Paul Im Thurn
Kenworthy’s Chambers
 'Paul deals with his cases very effectively. He is very knowledgeable and always goes the extra mile.'
3
Natasha Johnson
7 Harrington Street
 'Natasha is exceptional. She is a complete all rounder, her academic knowledge is beyond most, and her ability to deliver that knowledge and think on her feet as an advocate is exemplary.'
3
Alex Walker
18 St John Street Chambers
 'Alex is strong technically and does not give up when pursuing his client's case. He is fearless in his approach.'
3
Ginny Whiteley
St John’s Buildings
3
Hannah Wood
St John’s Buildings
 
4
Esther Agamemnon
Cobden House Chambers
 'Esther is an assertive and persuasive advocate who strives to achieve the best outcome for her clients. She is empathetic and provides clear advice to clients.'
4
Fergal Allen
18 St John Street Chambers
 'Fergal has an excellent manner with clients and displays an ability to explain complex legal concepts in an accessible way. He is a popular and respected advocate who knows his tribunals, leading to impressive outcomes.'
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
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
Sarah Cook
Kenworthy’s Chambers
 ‘Sarah is very strong in advocacy with skilled communication, including with professional clients. Her ability to communicate well with litigants in person and manage that communication appropriately is impressive.'
4
Rebecca Costello
18 St John Street Chambers
4
Alexandra Cracknell
7 Harrington Street
 ‘Alexandra is an excellent advocate who will fight for the client’s best interests with real commitment. She goes above and beyond to ensure the best case is put before the court, providing support and advice where needed, and her advocacy skills are outstanding.’
4
Julie Ann Doyle
Cobden House Chambers
 ‘Julie is a strong, diligent advocate who has an in-depth working knowledge of family law and is able to provide clear and concise advice to clients. She is persuasive both outside and inside court, and she is a skilled and knowledgeable negotiator.’
4
Carl Gorton
Atlantic Chambers
 'Carl is an exceptional advocate. He is confident and very knowledgeable, he provides clear and concise advice, and he manages clients' expectations well.'
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.’
4
Jonathan Mark Jackson
18 St John Street Chambers
 'Jonathan is thorough and meticulous in his preparation and is instructed to represent a wide range of clients, including local authorities, parents, and children. He is reliable and skilled in his cross-examination.'
4
Joseph Lynch
Central Chambers
 ‘Joseph’s most effective quality is his ability to be direct and reduce overly complex matters to key and specific issues. He is very efficient, accurate, and decisive, and his advocacy style is clear and focused.’
4
David Maddison
Cobden House Chambers
 'Clients have found David to be very easy to talk to and have been very happy with his representation of them. He listens to their concerns and puts these across to the court appropriately, and he is very thorough in his preparation and always ensures he has a good understanding of the case.'
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
Ian McArdle
Atlantic Chambers
 'Ian is a highly skilled, diligent, confident, and analytical barrister. His cross-examination skills are exceptional, he is calm and focussed, and he is reassuring to clients.'
4
Hannah Phoenix
18 St John Street Chambers
 ‘Hannah’s client care is exceptional, and her delivery both during conference and in advocacy is thorough and considered, but direct and robust. Hannah has repeatedly received great feedback from clients who have greatly appreciated her no-nonsense and pragmatic approach.’
4
Gemma Thomas
7 Harrington Street
4
Rachael Wake
7 Harrington Street
 'Rachael is always well prepared. She is an efficient and excellent advocate.'
4
Sarah Watters
7 Harrington Street
 ‘Sarah is an excellent barrister and is fantastic at managing professional clients, ensuring she offers robust advice, but in a very supportive manner. She is an exceptionally gifted advocate who is always well prepared and focused.’
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.
Chloë Booth
15 Winckley Square
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.’
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.'
Liam Kelly
Deans Court Chambers
 ‘Liam is an excellent advocate who can build an instant rapport with clients.’
Emily Landale
9 St John Street
 'Emily excels in her knowledge of the law and is always able to draw on the relevant case law at the drop of a hat. She is also kind, sympathetic, and compassionate, which allows her to communicate effectively with clients in order to impart her legal advice.'
Daniel Reilly
Atlantic Chambers
 'Daniel is a talented advocate who is tenacious in the face of opposition and will argue a point in line with instructions while exhibiting respect to the court so as to engage the tribunal. He is exceptional with clients, regularly receiving positive feedback and praise, he demonstrates empathy but delivers advice that is sometimes difficult to hear in a sensitive way, and his strength is in his advocacy and his presentation of an argument with conviction and persuasion.'