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
Cecilia Barrett
Harcourt Chambers
ilk quality, and you want Cecilia on your side every time, as she is really exceptional in terms of advocacy and client care.'
1
Alex Forbes
Harcourt Chambers
1
Sara Granshaw
Harcourt Chambers
‘Sara has always been an enthusiastic advocate for her clients, whether they be the local authority, parent, grandparent or child. Her attention to detail is acute, she is fearless in her questioning whilst remaining courteous and empathetic, and she is a pleasure to work with, either on the same side or opposing sides.’
1
Jason Green
Harcourt Chambers
 ‘Jason offers the service of King's Counsel without the appointment. His advocacy is strong, persuasive and clever, client service is excellent and he always provide his documents with sufficient time to consider without the stress of being in the court room.’
1
Simon Johnson
Pump Court Chambers
‘Simon is an outstanding family law barrister with great legal expertise, advocacy skills, commitment and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for clients and his skill of dealing with extremely vulnerable clients which seems to just come naturally to Simon. Simon is approachable and compassionate, providing clients with reassurance and clarity during what are often highly emotional proceedings.'
1
Nicola Martin
3PB
‘Nicola is very empathetic to the clients and has an ability to draw them out and connect with them. She is a fine advocate and in addition is fast at providing written advice, is very approachable for solicitors and supportive to them, and seems to be always available for a discussion on any case.'
1
Stefanie Wickins
Trinity Chambers
‘Stefanie is a first-class barrister who provides a first-class service. Her preparation is meticulous and her attention to detail is faultless, he is quick to understand the issues, even in the most complex of cases, and always provides reliable and realistic advice.’
2
Eleanor Battie
1 Crown Office Row Brighton
 strong and robust advocate.'
2
Timothy Bergin
1 Crown Office Row Brighton
‘Timothy has a wealth of expertise in relation to care work and he is extremely patient with the most trying and difficult clients. He never compromises his morals to tell the client what they want to hear, but instead is honest, straight forward and very good at calmly and empathetically delivering his valuable advice and opinion.'
2
Emma Gatland
Harcourt Chambers
‘Emma is an exceptional advocate you want her on your side, as she is strategic, robust, gives excellent advice in conference and is outstanding on her feet. She provides a brilliant partnership from the outset to the conclusion of the case, she is incredibly bright, she makes clients feel valued and heard, she is well prepared and cares about her clients.'
2
Maria Hancock
Westgate Chambers
‘Maria is highly skilled and experienced in her field, and she is knowledgeable and adept at explaining the most complex of situations to the most vulnerable of clients in a way that they understand. She has excellent advocacy skills and is very well respected, and she is always well prepared and highly competent in putting the case across.'
2
Eleanor Howard
Harcourt Chambers
‘Eleanor has great judgement and she really holds her own against senior advocates. She is always well prepared and meticulous, she is great with clients, and very empathetic.'
2
Edward Kirkwood
Harcourt Chambers
‘Edward is a go-to counsel. He is always helpful and approaches every case with immense professionalism, and he has a pragmatic approach, seeing solutions rather than challenges.’
2
Emily Rayner
Harcourt Chambers
advocacy is always assured and respectfully delivered whilst balancing the client’s wishes and ensuring that the clients feel like they have been heard.’
2
Louisa Adamson
Becket Chambers
2
Christopher Bramwell
Regency Chambers
 ‘Christopher is an excellent barrister who is able to grasp complex issues in a clear and understandable way. He is regularly instructed by local authorities, parents and guardians, and he has a friendly and collegiate working practice, but can be tenacious and rigorous in cross-examination.'
2
Katharine Ferguson
Fenners Chambers
She has an outstanding ability to put clients at ease ensuring they feel supported and confident throughout the process and she takes the time to explain complex legal issues in a clear and accessible manner allowing clients to fully understand their position and make informed decisions.'
2
Alison Hunt
Regency Barristers Chambers
'Alison is an exceptional advocate and puts her case forward to the court in a reasoned and persuasive manner.  She has excellent client care skills whilst being able to give realistic advice to some very vulnerable clients, and her legal expertise and knowledge is outstanding.'
2
Kate Miller
East Anglian Chambers
2
Colin Morgan
Pallant Chambers
‘Colin is an experienced and long-serving member of the Bar who is incredibly well respected. He has an in-depth knowledge of all legal areas and is an experienced advocate, and his strengths lay in his personable nature and ability to communicate complex issues to professionals and lay clients alike.’
2
Dylan Morgan
Pallant Chambers
2
John Nee
Anvil Chambers
‘John carries out his work with a passion which is seen in both his presentation to the client outside of court and within his advocacy. John is able to put his points across with emphasis but it is done in a subtle and calm manner even when in cross-examination, and he reads the room and the mood of the judge and adapts his approach accordingly having already explained to the client the possible options and tactics so there is no surprise or clients left wondering why he has or has not raised a particular issue.’
3
Mavis Amonoo-Acquah
Harcourt Chambers
‘Mavis is very strong on surrogacy and modern family issues. She is very bright, thorough and has an advocacy style that appeals to judges and clients alike, and her submissions are clear and eloquent.’
3
Clare Ciborowska
1 Crown Office Row Brighton
‘Clare is a rarity at the Bar in that she is invested in every case she has, no matter the complexity or funding and is always completely up to speed and thinking proactively about cases. Clare is accessible to those instructing at all times and is always willing to go above and beyond to talk over an issue in a case even when not briefed for an immediate hearing, and she is fantastic in court and with clients and is extremely supportive to clients with vulnerabilities or particularly needs.'
3
Victoria Flowers
Harcourt Chambers
'Victoria brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her cases, demonstrating not only an extensive legal knowledge, but also a notably compassionate and assured approach. She is always thoroughly prepared, with a calm and reassuring manner that puts clients at ease while maintaining the resilience and rationalism necessary to navigate high-conflict and often abusive situations.'
3
Martha Gray
Harcourt Chambers
‘Martha's written material is very strong and frequently replicated by the judge in judgments. She is also very solid on her feet and doesn't feel intimidated when the case takes different and unexpected turns.'
3
Kate Kochnari
42BR Barristers
‘Kate is kind and calm and incredible with vulnerable clients, her cross-examination is second-to-none, and she is clearly a silk in the making. Kate has developed a High Court practice many years above her call, meaning that she has had the opportunity to learn from her peers, and it is clear that she has put this into practice in everything she does.'
3
Alex Perry
Harcourt Chambers
‘Alex is very knowledgeable, with a very high standard of advocacy and particularly strong with drafting. He is robust in his advice to clients and he takes a sensible approach.'
3
Lydia Slee
42 Bedford Row
‘Lydia is a star of the Bar and the go-to junior on complex non-accidental injury cases, particularly those involving allegations of head trauma and infanticide. Her knowledge of all medical specialisms involved with family law are as good as any King’s Counsel.’
3
Adam Smith
1 Crown Office Row Brighton
 'Adam is go-to counsel for anything where you need an advocate that the court will find easy to listen to and agree with. He works incredibly hard and couples that with a natural gift and presence, he is forensically excellent but never loses sight of the human elements of the job and no matter how daunting the task he always shows the client total dedication.'
3
Elizabeth Spence
Pump Court Chambers
‘Elizabeth is down-to-earth and exceptionally quick and really knows her stuff. She’s empathetic and gives pragmatic advice and is realistic as to outcomes, she sits as a deputy district judge so can also explain to clients what the judicial approach is likely to be, and she’s a very confident advocate.'
3
Matthew Stott
Harcourt Chambers
‘Matthew is an extremely powerful advocate, he has extensive case law knowledge and puts his clients case in a strong and balanced way. Matthew has an impressive understanding of all the issues of his cases and leads them with exceptional expertise.'
3
Sarah Taite
1 Crown Office Row Brighton
‘Sarah is a much valued member of the local legal community who deservedly enjoys a reputation of being a highly skilled advocate who has an impressive knowledge of all areas of childcare law.  She eloquently fights her client’s corner without presenting as adversarial, she is down-to-earth, personable and displays great empathy with clients who are experiencing the trauma of court proceedings.’
3
Patrick Freer
Regency Barristers Chambers
‘Patrick is a passionate and extremely knowledgeable advocate. He is measured and persuasive within a court room and always appears very confident in his advocacy, he is thorough and realistic in his approach to cases, and this always comes across clearly to clients, as his client care is sensitive and well-adapted to each individual clients' needs, and he is always helpful and content to discuss matters in detail.'
3
Debra Gold
Fenners Chambers
3
Katrina Hambleton
Pallant Chambers
‘Katrina has extensive knowledge in the area of child law and is able to address the more complex matters that arise, and she is a highly skilled advocate and excels in the court area. Katrina has a meticulous approach and is able to provide very well balanced and considered advice, and she is extremely personable and is always willing to assist.'
3
Graeme Harrison
Pallant Chambers
 is an excellent advocate, giving confidence to clients throughout a case, whether it be in cross-examination or submissions.’
3
Graeme Harrison
Pallant Chambers
3
Kirsten Japp
1 Crown Office Row Brighton
 has fine attention to detail, she delivers her advice in a clear and well structured way, and she has a reassuring manner and manages client expectations well.’
4
Andrew Austin
Fourteen
4
Matthew Brookes-Baker
Harcourt Chambers
‘Matthew is an excellent advocate. He is a leader in the field of non-accidental injury, he is impressive on his feet and commands the respect of the court.'  
4
Jane Campbell
Harcourt Chambers
‘Jane is always a safe pair of hands for a client as she is always thoroughly prepared and her notes and any paperwork carefully considered and drafted to achieve the best outcome. Jane is compassionate and empathetic with the clients yet gives clear and robust advice where necessary, and in court, Jane always has the ear of the judge, makes persuasive arguments, and her experience and common sense simply shines through.'
4
Rachael Claridge
1 Crown Office Row
‘Rachael’s approach with clients is simply outstanding. She works well with any type of client and has a very understanding and caring approach, and she is also very good at advising the client.’
4
Amanda Clarke
Westgate Chambers
 'Amanda is an experienced advocate with an excellent knowledge of the law in all relevant areas. She is able to put clients at ease in what is often very stressful and upsetting circumstances.'
4
Amy Connell
Pump Court Chambers
4
Sian Cox
Harcourt Chambers
 is incredible, considered and has calming approach, even with the most complex cases and difficult situations which result in client’s superb care and representation. One of Sian’s key skills is to be able to explain difficult concepts and outcomes in a way which is easily understood by clients who are often bewildered by the whole experience.’
4
Samuel Davis
42BR Barristers
 is innovative and will often think of ideas that are outside of the norm to ensure that he gets the best results for his clients and families.'
4
Rachel Gimson
1 Crown Office Row Brighton
‘Rachel prepares her cases extremely well, she is sympathetic and empathic with clients, and she will strongly advocate for her clients in court and make her clients feel as though their voice has been heard within the process.'
4
Philip McCormack
42 Bedford Row
‘Philip is highly respected with legal and all other professionals. He has the ear of judges and is a very skilled advocate in court and outside, and he is always well prepared and forward thinking.'
4
Delia Minoprio
1 Crown Office Row
 ‘Delia epitomises the best of the Bar in terms of her principles, her work ethic , her dedication to her clients and her laser-like focus, technically and practically, on how to achieve the best for them. She is a junior who brings creativity and energy to every case she takes on.’
4
Joanne Porter
42 Bedford Row
 is able to think outside the box and knows how to get the job done.’
4
Oliver Powell
Harcourt Chambers
‘Oliver is an excellent advocate, well-prepared and knowledgeable, personable and collaborative.’ 
4
Daniel Sheridan
Harcourt Chambers
'Daniel is a kind and considerate barrister who is not afraid to show these qualities, even when faced with difficult clients, tribunals or professional colleagues. This is a trait which is often demonstrated in the court room setting, especially when he has been briefed by the local authority or the Guardian, and he always prepares his cases thoroughly, never failing to use key or important points to illustrate the client's position.'
4
Elaine Strachan
3PB
‘Elaine has a fantastic ability to pick up on the intricate facts of a case quickly and she is able to adapt to clients' personalities and knows exactly how best to approach a matter, whether that be with a robust approach or more tentative. She is able to recall, with precision, specific facts from lengthy papers in conference with the client, which is impressive and reassuring for the client who knows instantly that Elaine has prepared meticulously.'
4
Jennifer Youngs
42 Bedford Row
‘Jennifer is an exceptional barrister who is able to grasp complex matters quickly without compromising on thoroughness and accuracy and whilst maintaining a calm and collected manner.'
4
Akta Chipalkatty
East Anglian Chambers
4
Eve Chowdhury
Fenners Chambers
Eve is excellent at communicating her advice to clients and maintains a high standard of professionalism throughout court proceedings and in her representation of those clients, as well as providing her instructing solicitors with an update following each hearing. Eve has a good grasp of each matter that she deals with and the position statements that she prepares for court hearings are set out concisely in terms of the background to the matter before the court, the law and the conclusion.'
4
Jodie Drummond
Fenners Chambers
‘Jodie demonstrates exceptional skill in assessing the likely outcomes of a case at an early stage, enabling clients to achieve advantageous settlements efficiently. Her ability to provide clear, strategic guidance not only helps clients avoid the financial and emotional strain of prolonged litigation but also mitigates litigation risk effectively.'
4
Caroline Horton
Fenners Chambers
‘Caroline is meticulous in her preparation. She is approachable and quick to respond to queries and she adopts a practical and realistic way forward as an effective advocate putting clients at ease.'  
4
Zosia Keniston
Pallant Chambers
‘Zosia's written work is superb which is always crucial. Zosia has a very pleasant manner in court which was extremely helpful when cross-examining vulnerable parents over an extended period of time, and she remains calm and collegial at all times which keeps the temperature down.'
4
Benjamin Phillips
Fenners Chambers
‘Benjamin demonstrates a thorough understanding of the law and applicable case law involved in children internal relocation cases. He is able to comprehensively advise clients as to how best to provide evidence to the court in, and his conduct and professionalism is exemplary.’
4
Adrian Pidduck
Becket Chambers
‘Adrian is a very experienced barrister and his thoroughness is a wonderful strength, but his kindness and understanding of clients shines through everything else. Adrian is always willing to provide support and guidance and is happy to talk cases through.'
4
Emily Quinn
Trinity Chambers
‘Emily is a magician in the courtroom, can be presented with the most challenging of cases and achieve an outcome better than anyone expected. Her skills are far beyond her years of experience and on par with barristers who have twice as much experience as her.’
4
Annie Sayers
Deans Court Chambers
4
Nadia Tawfik
Pallant Chambers
 'Nadia is excellent with clients, she is down-to-earth, provides good solid and realistic advice and clients can easily speak with her. Preparation paperwork is good and she forthrightly puts forward the case in court ensuring no issues are missed.'
4
John Thornton
1GC | Family Law
John is a silk in waiting; over the years his talent as a barrister has grown and matured, he is exceptional at advocacy and is a master at cross-examination, but a kind and caring barrister when cross-examining clients and can carefully tease out information from them in a direct and sensitive way. John is very good with vulnerable clients and listens to them and provides robust and thought provoking advice.’
4
Alison Underhill
East Anglian Chambers
 'Alison's great strength is her preparation; there is no-one on any case who has prepared as well. She is an excellent advocate and is equally comfortable acting for the local authority or a vulnerable young parent, and she is fearless.'
4
Christopher Wall
Becket Chambers
5
Richard Ager
1 Crown Office Row Brighton
5
Laura Bayley
1 Crown Office Row Brighton
‘Laura is very calm, realistic and pragmatic and has excellent rapport with clients. She prepares well for her cases and has fantastic communication.'
5
Jodie Cudworth
Westgate Chambers
Jodie fiercely represents her clients in court and does not shy away from difficult arguments or instructions. She will fully prepare her case and put forward her client's case strongly and confidently, and she is clear in her submissions in court; they are concise and to the point and powerfully made.'
5
Katelyn Gottschling
1 Crown Office Row
 'Katelyn is energetic and well-prepared and makes her client feel as though she is fully on board and keen and motivated to represent them. She is very knowledgeable.'
5
Emma Griffiths
3PB
5
Jeremy Hall
42 Bedford Row
5
Alex Hodge
3PB
5
Harriet Lavis
3PB
'Harriet is immaculately prepared with her cases and you know you are in safe hands when you brief her. She will consider a case from all angles, and she is especially good with vulnerable clients and cares deeply about her work and doing the best job for those she represents.'
5
Pauline Troy
1 Crown Office Row
 ‘Pauline is a highly seasoned barrister with vast experience of public law work. A former solicitor, Pauline’s approach to strategy is second-to-none and she really understands how to put a case together for her clients.’
5
Ruth Webber
42 Bedford Row
5
Charmaine Wilson
Westgate Chambers
Charmaine is an excellent advocate with an extremely good ability to explain complex matters in a way that the client is able to understand. She is a very experienced and knowledgeable barrister.'
5
Anna Yarde
Harcourt Chambers
‘Anna's strength is her ability to turn around the most difficult of cases and provide practical and constructive advice. She gets to grips with matters very quickly and clients are confident in her from the off due to her kind nature and incredible knowledge.'
5
Michael Allin
East Anglian Chambers
 'Michael is a tenacious advocate with a keen eye for detail and is a go-to in children cases. He puts clients at ease in conference, where he employs a personable, compassionate, and down-to-earth approach, his analysis of cases is second-to-none, as he masterfully finds areas of questioning that gives the client the best chance of success in hearings, and his style in court is tailored not only to the case, but also to the tribunal, and so as a result he comes across as a stellar advocate.'
5
Daniel Attridge
Trinity Chambers
‘Daniel is an excellent barrister and a big strength is his technical ability. There are no limits to his knowledge, he is a go-to barrister for advice and representation in this area, and as an advocate, he is exactly what clients want; outside the court room he has an authoritative but calm demeanour and inside it, he is robust and will fight the client’s corner.’
5
Laura Buchan
3PB
‘Laura is always extremely well prepared and has a thorough grasp of the issues that need to be dealt with. She pays great attention to detail, and is tenacious, fighting every point for her clients, and she  is very personable and able to relate to clients from all walks of life.’
5
Adam Clegg
Pump Court Chambers
5
Meghan Daniels
Pump Court Chambers
'Meghan is a wonderfully balanced barrister who has all of the skills and abilities to deal with all types of different clients, but particularly those who are particularly anxious, worried or needing any extra reassurance and support to achieve best outcomes. Meghan is able to reassure clients and take extra time to consider their potential extra needs and considerations when it comes to their case in general and the time she spends with them at court for hearings.'
5
Rebecca Davies
1 Crown Office Row
dvocacy is a real strength, as are her client skills.’
5
Eleanor Dewhurst
Pallant Chambers
'Eleanor is very empathetic with clients '
5
Gareth Frow
Regency Barristers Chambers
‘Gareth is a thorough and articulate advocate who advances his client's case with passion and skill. He is a pleasure to work with when on opposite teams as well as when advocating the same case. He is professional and skilled.'
5
Sophie Gray
Becket Chambers
er general preparation is of a high quality.'
5
William Green
Trinity Chambers
 'William is very personable and connects well with client from the outset. He provides clear and appropriate advice, he is thorough in both his preparation and his feedback at the conclusion of the matter, and in terms of his advocacy, again, he is thorough, getting to grips with the key issues and leaving no stone unturned in his cross-examination.'
5
Daniel Hooker
Becket Chambers
‘Daniel brings a practical level of experience, having previously practiced as a solicitor for many years prior to coming to the Bar. This is extremely helpful as he also sees cases from a different view point which ensures they are dealt with smoothly and thoroughly, and he has great knowledge and expertise, his advocacy is robust and he is always well-prepared for cases.’
5
Nicole Jennings
Becket Chambers
She is very accessible both before and after the hearing for any follow up queries.'
5
Katherine MacDonald
Pallant Chambers
‘It is impossible to be too complimentary of Katherine; she is a firm favourite with lay clients and professionals alike as a result of her outstanding knowledge of the law, calm and firm approach, and friendly personable nature. She is an excellent in-court advocate making clear, articulate arguments and is always well prepared.’
5
Melanie McIntosh
Becket Chambers
 'Melanie's strengths are without doubt her written work and ability to explain complex issues to clients, combined with her exceptionally hard work ethic, where she continually works to obtain the best results for her clients.'
5
Alice Newton
Trinity Chambers
‘Alice is an extremely effective advocate. She is very thorough in her preparation and  excellent in her written work, she is a skilled and tenacious advocate, she remembers minor points from her client's instructions and ensures that the case has been put fully, and she gives very clear and sensible advice to clients about how to manage the situation they are in.'
5
Laura-Jayne Swaile
Trinity Chambers
Laura-Jayne is an excellent advocate. She is always well-prepared for court attendances and is confident, well-spoken, and a formidable opponent, she has a good manner with clients, always ensuring that they have a good understanding of their position and likely outcomes, and feedback is consistently great.'
5
Lisa Tuckwell
Trinity Chambers
‘Lisa is a fantastic advocate; she is highly principled, absolutely determined on behalf of the client, energetic and delivers consistently high-quality work. She takes a keen interest in the client journey and is always available outside court between hearings for casual communication or an initial view.’
5
Vanessa Wells
42 Bedford Row
‘Vanessa is meticulous in preparation and a very articulate, calm advocate. As a junior, she is fantastic at producing helpful and comprehensive preparation.’
5
Alison Williams
Harcourt Chambers
 ‘Alison is a very exceptional family law barrister; she is reliable in any children matter not only for her legal knowledge, but she also has an excellent manner with the clients, the court and her opponents. She takes a no-nonsense approach but equally is an efficient negotiator.’

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.

1
Paige Campbell
Harcourt Chambers
‘Paige is kind, considerate and thoughtful when it comes to building a rapport with clients. She is a strong advocate, she is liked by clients and solicitors alike, and she is committed to providing a brilliant service.’
1
Albert Gibbon
Pump Court Chambers
'Albert is a master at preparing precise, informative and accurate position statements. He is due diligent and excellent with vulnerable and nervous clients, he prepares cases inside out and shows outstanding skills in advocacy.'
1
John Hatton
Westgate Chambers
John has a gentle yet firm approach with clients which assists in building a solid rapport. He is very knowledge in all aspects of family law and offers confident and articulate advocacy.'
1
Fazeela Ishmael
Harcourt Chambers
‘Fazeela's individual strengths include her remarkable advocacy skills, she is highly articulate, persuasive, and able to present cases with clarity, even when dealing with particularly challenging or emotional situations, her approach to case preparation is meticulous, and her ability to think strategically and adapt to dynamic courtroom scenarios is particularly impressive.'
1
Adam Kayani
Harcourt Chambers
‘Adam’s qualities include his exceptional sensitivity and understanding when dealing with emotionally vulnerable clients. He has an excellent bedside manner, making clients feel genuinely heard, seen, and empowered, particularly crucial in emotionally charged family law cases, and he has an ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly and calmly ensures clients feel supported and informed throughout stressful proceedings.'
1
Natasha Miller
Harcourt Chambers
'Natasha is knowledgeable. She is always on hand to offer advice and support to instructing solicitors and clients before, during and after hearings. She is compassionate with the client and has the judge's ear. She is very calm, collected and a top-class advocate.'
1
Sam Pentony
3PB
'Sam is knowledgeable and robust as an advocate whilst being extremely personable and empathetic towards clients and their needs. His advice is measured and resolution-focused. He is a fantastic negotiator.'
1
Anogika Souresh
1 Crown Office Row Brighton
'Anogika is knowledgeable and empathetic. Her position statements are always well-researched and detailed. She has an eye for detail and explains points clearly and concisely to clients.'
1
Philippa Thomas
42 Bedford Row
'Philippa is not only a very strong advocate, but she builds an excellent report with the client, whether they are a parent or a Guardian. She is well respected by Guardians in the local area and having represented them for a number of years, and she also has an excellent knowledge of legal aid.'
1
Magdalena Cass
Becket Chambers
 'Magdalena is always very well prepared, she is knowledgeable of her bundle and of her client's case, and she is particularly strong in giving forceful and helpful submissions whether at an interim stage or at a final hearing. She has a strong grasp of the issues to be addressed in submissions along with careful consideration of the arguments in favour of her submissions, and she is good at noticing the weaknesses in her case and addressing those issues with a positive spin to ensure her client's position is put faithfully.'
1
Hannah Martin
Pallant Chambers