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Barristers

Chris Barnes

Chris Barnes

4PB, London

Work Department

Public Children Law; Private Children Law; International Children Law

Position

Overview

Chris is a leading family law barrister specialising in public and private children work.

Chris’ core case load includes:
– Complex public law proceedings, with a focus on cases concerning alleged non-accidental injuries, and proceedings with an international component;
– In his private law work Chris is frequently instructed in cases concerning serious allegations of domestic and/or sexual abuse; and
– Applications under the Adoption and Children Act 2002, with a focus on contested adoptions, proceedings following relinquishment, and adoptions with an international dimension.

Chris is highly regarded for his appellate work and is an accomplished appeal advocate. He is frequently instructed in appeals before the Court of Appeal and High Court, often as sole, or lead, counsel. Recently Chris has had success acting for an appellant local authority challenging the refusal of a placement order application, in a significant appeal concerning reliance on hair strand testing in an application for interim removal, and the appeal against the anonymity order preventing the naming of Judges who had presided in Family Proceedings concerning Sara Sharif.

Beyond Chambers’ core areas of work Chris has developed a particular expertise in applications, arising from family proceedings, under the Human Rights Act 1998 having pursued applications for declarations of incompatibility in relation to diplomatic immunity, and the irrevocability of the parental responsibility of married fathers.

Chris has extensive experience of media and reporting applications arising from family proceedings, and has appeared in many of the leading cases concerning transparency in the Family Court including:
– Representing Rights of Women, along with Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC and Charlotte Baker, in Griffiths v Tickle
– Representing freelance journalist Louise Tickle in the successful appeal in Tickle v Father & Ors [2023] leading to publication of a transcript in which a Circuit Judge expressed views on transparency;
– Representation of media organisations including the BBC, and acting for Tortoise Media Ltd in an application to report on family proceedings arising from parents investigated for murder and abortion related offences under the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861, reported by Phoebe Gates;
– Acting for the appellant journalists, Louise Tickle and Hannah Summers working in a freelance capacity, in application for disclosure and permission to publish in proceedings concerning Sara Sharif and leading James Nottage in the subsequent appeal to the Court of Appeal to challenge an order providing for judicial anonymity.

Chris’ background as a family law specialist, along with his wide experience of acting for journalists and media organisations in the Family Court, leave him well placed to advise on applications for disclosure and/or permission to publish, and, where required, he can offer advice and representation on an urgent basis where matters are time sensitive.

Career

Appointments

Law for Change legal panel

Memberships

Professional Memberships

Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn Family Law Bar Association Association of Lawyers for Children

Education

Education & Qualifications

MA (Cantab) History GDL BVC St John’s College, Cambridge (2003-6) City University (2006/7) Inns of Court School of Law (2007/8)

Leisure

Parkrunner.

Mentions

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