Laura Scott > Chambers of David Berkley KC > Birmingham, England > Barrister Profile

Laura Scott

0121 289 4333 laura.scott@3pb.co.uk View profile View profile

Work Department

Family

Position

Family barrister Laura Scott practises exclusively in children and domestic violence law and has extensive experience representing parents, grandparents, children, guardians, extended family members and local authorities in all aspects of the law relating to children.

Formerly at two well-known London sets, Laura now lives in the Midlands and joined 3PB in August 2022. Laura has been consistently ranked as a top family law barrister by legal researchers at Legal 500, focusing on her public and private child care work and cases involving children where there are allegations or evidence of abuse.

Outside of work, Laura is a yoga and meditation teacher; she plays the drums and orchestral percussion and enjoys the cinema.

Family

Private Law Children

Laura Scott is experienced in dealing with all aspects of child arrangements, domestic violence allegations, extended family care arrangements (including grandparents’ applications for contact and residence), special guardianship, private adoption and leave to remove from the jurisdiction.

She is regularly instructed in complex matters involving allegations of emotional, physical and sexual abuse and in cases where the representation and joinder of children to proceedings is an issue.

Laura’s work often involves an international element and her practise encompasses applications by parents for leave to remove children permanently or temporarily from the jurisdiction.

Reported cases:

X v Y & Others (Assisted Reproduction: Parent) [2015] EWFC 13 (Fam): High Court declarations of parentage made in respect of father whose child was conceived using donated sperm, in circumstances where he had signed a consent form, which the fertility clinic had lost.

K v P [2008] EWCA Civ 600: Court of Appeal decision relating to the length of sentence imposed in respect of breaches of a non-molestation order to which a power of arrest was attached.

Re C-J (Section 91(14) Order) [2006] EWHC 1491 (Fam); [2006] 2 FLR 1213: Contact – appropriateness of s91 (14) order – exercise of district judge’s discretion.

Other cases include:

Re P [2021]: Acted for the child through their guardian in a matter where the immediate transfer of residence had been ordered after findings of parental alienation; subsequent agreement for contact with alienating parent reached through extensive negotiations with litigants in person.

Re M [2021]: Acted for a mother in a case of very serious parental alienation and unlawful retention where a local authority was compelled to take ICOs for 2 children at the court’s own motion and care proceedings then followed.

Re J [2016]: Acted for the father in seeking and obtaining parental alienation and physical abuse findings against a mother.

Public Law Children

Laura acts in matters involving all aspects of care and adoption, especially complex cases where there are allegations of non-accidental injuries and physical, sexual and emotional abuse, including historic allegations.

Laura is frequently instructed for fact-finding hearings and is adept at handling expert witnesses and voluminous medical evidence. She has a particular interest and expertise in dealing with vulnerable parties and witnesses, including those requiring the assistance of an intermediary.

Laura has several years’ experience in case managing complex local authority matters.

In addition to care proceedings, Laura also has experience in relation to education law and provides advice and representation in this area.

Reported Cases:

A (Care and Placement Orders) [2014] EWFC B143: Care proceedings involving applications for Care and Placement Orders. Represented the paternal aunt pro bono throughout High Court appeal and subsequent proceedings.

Other cases include:

Re C [2021]: Last minute representation of intervenor in very serious NAI. Complex case involving another intervenor lacking capacity but being compelled to give evidence.

Re J [2016]: Represented a mother accused of causing a number of fractures to a young baby. Mother exonerated of causing the injuries or failing to seek prompt medical attention.

Re A [2015]: Acted for a local authority in the 2nd set of care proceedings less than 18 months after conclusion of the first proceedings in relation to 5 children. Mother had transitioned gender without medical supervision.

Re B [2013]: Acted for the local authority seeking historic findings of CSE made against stepfather of adult daughter where younger siblings at risk and were being groomed by the father during supervised contact.

Career

Year of Call: 2001

Memberships

• Family Law Bar Association
• Midland Circuit
• Inner Temple

Education

• BPP Law School, BVC, very competent
• Royal Academy of Music, B Mus (Hons), LRAM
• Westminster University, CPE