3PB

Laurie-Elizabeth Ketley is a family law barrister who covers all areas of family law, working from our Birmingham office.

Laurie is a first-class degree student who acquired distinctions in all her modules. Following this, Laurie continued her studies with the University of Law and obtained a distinction in her master’s degree. In addition, she is a Baroness Hale of Richmond scholar, the most prestigious scholarship awarded by Gray’s Inn.

Laurie-Elizabeth has a busy family practice and has represented local authorities, guardians, and parents in a variety of public and private law matters, including being led in the Court of Appeal in the notable case of Re P and E (Care Proceedings: Whether to hold a Fact-Finding Hearing) [2024] EWCA Civ 403. In addition, she has experience representing individuals in matters of financial remedy. Laurie-Elizabeth is loved by her clients, her quality of work is exceptional, and she can competently navigate complex legal issues.

Prior to her pupillage with 3PB, Laurie worked at multiple solicitor firms in both family and civil departments. A partner at Willsons Solicitors described Laurie as "incredibly hard-working, dedicated to everything she does, conscientious, and a person who can be trusted implicitly".

Laurie possesses excellent communication skills and demonstrates kindness and empathy, which are qualities that her previous employment and voluntary work with several pro bono clinics and the Citizens Advice Bureau have helped her develop. In addition, Laurie participated in the Digital Justice Project, where she helped create the first virtual reality courtroom and designed a free app to aid vulnerable clients in accessing justice.

Laurie-Elizabeth has won several advocacy competitions, including the Gary Slapper Memorial Moot, and she was a finalist for BPP’s ‘Advocate of the Year’ competition out of over one hundred students.

Outside of work, Laurie-Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family, hiking and paddle-boarding.

Reported cases

A v B  [2025] EWFC 79 (B) Acted for a father in a fact finding hearing accused of raping the mother on multiple occasions, physical violence, coercive and controlling behaviour and threats to relocate the children from the United Kingdom. No findings were made in relation to those allegations. The court did find the father exploited the mother for immigration advantage; he was neglectful of the mother and, by extension, the children, as he frequently absented himself during their relationship.

P and E (Care Proceedings: Whether to Hold Fact-Finding Hearing), Re [2024] EWCA Civ 403 Laurie-Elizabeth was led by Matiss Krumins in the Court of Appeal in this notable case, which involved an appeal against a case management decision not to hold a fact-finding hearing when multiple experts agreed that the most likely explanation for the alleged non-accidental injuries of an infant was that they had been inflicted. This decision was successfully overturned.

Baroness Hale of Richmond Scholarship, Gray's Inn

Advocate of the Year, BPP

Winner of the Gary Slapper Memorial Moot

Finalist, Open University Moot

Member of the Honourable Society of Gray's Inn

BPC, University of Law, Birmingham (Very Competent)

Masters of Laws, University of Law, Birmingham (First Class)

Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Open University (First Class)