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Giles Bain

Giles Bain

Giles undertakes all aspects of family work, including children matters in private and public law proceedings (representing Local Authorities, parents, third parties and children). Out of hours’ emergency work covered as well. Appearances in Family Proceedings Courts, County Courts, Crown Courts (PII matters), High Court. Proceedings from first appearance to final hearing in all the above-mentioned areas of work covered. Extensive experience in drafting (including pleadings, skeleton arguments, appeal documentation, practice direction documents, threshold documents and advices).  Notable cases include: \tThe London Borough of Barking & Dagenham v SG & Ors [2014] EWHC 3761 (Fam) 22 September 2014 – Further judgment of the High Court pending. \tB (A Child) [2014] EWCC B55 (Fam) 17 January 2014 \tRe S, K v The London Borough of Brent [2013] EWCA Civ 926 – Court of Appeal \tRe W (Fact Finding: Hearsay Evidence) [2013] EWCA Civ 1374 – Court of Appeal \tRe H (Children) (Sexual Abuse: Fact Finding) [2011] EWCA Civ 525 \tA London Borough v O and Others [2011] EWHC(Fam) 2754
Matthew Burman

Matthew Burman

Matthew specialises in public and private law proceedings under the Children Act 1989. He is regularly instructed to represent Local Authorities, parents and Children’s Guardians in care proceedings at all stages of the process from first to final hearing. In private law proceedings, Matthew regularly acts for mothers and fathers as well as ‘Rule 16.4’ Guardians. Matthew is often available to attend court at short notice. He ensures that his professional clients are updated promptly after every hearing and is also available to provide ad hoc advice between hearings as required. Matthew is also well versed in proceedings under the Family Law Act 1996 including applications for Non-Molestation Orders, Occupation Orders and transfers of tenancy. He has a wealth of experience before all levels of court from Magistrates to the High Court.
Kiran Channa

Kiran Channa

Accepts instructions in all areas of chambers specialisms, with a particular focus on both public and private children and applications under the Family Law Act 1996. Public Children Law Kiran is regularly instructed in public law proceedings acting for local authorities, grandparents and parents, in cases involving chronic neglect, substance misuse as well as domestic and physical abuse, acting for clients in case management hearings and final hearings. Most recently, Kiran successfully acted for a grandparent in obtaining a special guardianship order. Private Children Law Kiran has represented clients in cases which involve allegations of domestic, sexual and physical abuse and parental alienation. Kiran has experience of acting on behalf of parents and r.16.4 guardians.
Saiqa Chaudhry

Saiqa Chaudhry

Saiqa is a specialist children law barrister, and skilled practitioner in all aspects of family law. Saiqa regularly accepts instructions on behalf of local authorities, guardians and parents in both public and private law proceedings. Saiqa has a particular interest in cases involving serious injury to children, cases of serious sexual abuse and cases involving allegations of fabricated and/or induced illness (FII). Saiqa's practice also includes cases with an international element, involving children unlawfully removed from the jurisdiction.  Notable cases include: RE I [2020] EWCA Civ 2021 RE B (Uncertain perpetrators) (Rev 1) [2019] EWCA Civ 575 ZH v HS and Others (application to revoke adoption order) [2019] EWHC 2190 T (Children) (2014) EWHC 2164 Fam
Michael Connor

Michael Connor

Michael is a dual qualified lawyer in both Australia and England & Wales and enjoys appearing in the broad spectrum of family law matters, from public children cases to financial remedies disputes. Children (Public Law):  Michael is regularly instructed across all areas of public proceedings in cases involving chronic neglect, substance abuse, mental health issues, domestic, sexual, physical abuse and injury, and cases with an international dimension. He accepts instructions from local authorities, parents, children’s guardians and intervenors. Michael is often called upon to draft threshold documents, advise on findings sought, and also to review evidence. Michael has appeared at all stages of public law hearings, from case management, to fact-finding hearings and up to and including final hearings. Children (Private Law): Michael has extensive experience in private children disputes, both drawing from his experience in Australia, and current practice in England. Michael is briefed to appear at a wide range of private law matters involving intractable contact disputes, parental alienation, complex allegations of physical and sexual abuse, and also cases with an international element. Michael acts at all stages of section 8 applications, including at fact-finding hearings and final hearings. Family Finance & Property: Michael has a growing financial remedies practice and enjoys building on his extensive Australian experience in this area. Michael’s Australian practice involved regularly acting for clients in cases with international features (including forum disputes), statutory financial agreements (pre/post-nups), financial enforcement and non-disclosure, and the analysis of company accounts and family trusts. Domestic Violence & Injunctions:  Michael regularly accepts instructions across the full range of Family Law Act applications, including non-molestation orders, occupation orders and transfer of tenancy applications. Michael has experience in proceedings involving allegations of serious domestic abuse, including in cases where allegations are linked to ongoing or imminent Children Act proceedings.
Katherine Couper

Katherine Couper

Katherine is a specialist family barrister who maintains a diverse practice spanning children and finance work. Private Law Katherine’s practice encompasses a wide range of child arrangement disputes, internal and external relocation, Family Law Act applications (including forced marriage), specific issue conflicts, and FGM protection orders. She has had several high profile successes in securing change of residence for children who have been the subjects of parental alienation. Katherine has particular expertise in applications under the Hague Convention concerning international child abduction. Before coming to the Bar, she worked in the child abduction team of a pre-eminent London solicitors’ firm. Matrimonial Finance Katherine appears and advises in cases involving a wide-range of issues, including Schedule 1 provision and disputes between cohabitees relating to Trusts of Land. She is praised for her straightforward and pragmatic advice. Katherine is often instructed to advise on non-litigious matters, including the drafting of pre and post-nuptial agreements. Public Law Children Disputes Katherine has broad experience acting for local authorities, parents and children, including in the areas of non-accidental injury, substance misuse, domestic violence, and international placements. She has particular experience dealing with disputes involving international jurisdictional issues. Notable Cases: \tInstructed as disclosure counsel to the Attorney General of the States of Jersey during the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry (http://www.jerseycareinquiry.org); \tRe AB (a child) (special guardianship order) [2016] All ER (D) 91  – obtained a special guardianship order for paternal grandparents, despite a local authority care plan of placement for adoption; \tC-B v C-B [2019] – secured a finding that a litigation compromise had been reached in pre-proceeding negotiations pertaining to marital finances and obtained an order for enforcement of that compromise; \tVN v VN [2019] – secured findings of parental alienation within a complex fact-finding exercise, which led to an order for change of residence for the subject children; \tM v M [2018] – Obtained an urgent prohibited steps order to prevent the circumcision of a 4-year-old, in circumstances where there was a parental dispute about his religious upbringing.
Ann Courtney

Ann Courtney

Ann undertakes work in all areas of family law especially public law for all parties, international child abduction, financial matters including claims by cohabiting partners, residence and contact disputes. Ann has 20 years litigation experience which is mainly court room based. She has conducted many cases from first appearance through to final hearing, as well as in the Court of Appeal. Ann is regularly instructed to prepare advices and pleadings. Ann has a particular interest in non-accidental injury cases in care proceedings and mental health issues as affecting parenting capacity. Having represented several deaf without speech clients this is a group within society whose representation Ann feels needs a special awareness and she would be very willing to assist such clients.
Amelia Culverwell

Amelia Culverwell

Amelia accepts instructions in all areas of Family Law. She represents local authorities, parents and children in public law proceedings. She also regularly represents parents in private children cases and also undertakes financial relief work. She has experience of immigration law and so is well-equipped to deal with family cases which also involve immigration issues. Amelia has been particularly commended for her sensitive and patient approach when working with clients who have learning difficulties or a mental illness. Amelia also undertakes pro bono work, representing parents of children with special needs in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunals.
Elissa Da Costa-Waldman MCArb

Elissa Da Costa-Waldman MCArb

Elissa is an established practitioner in her chosen field.  Using a creative and innovative approach to finding solutions to client’s financial matters on divorce, she is also an experienced and principled negotiator as well as an assertive and effective advocate, being National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) trained.  Elissa prides herself on having an ‘inclusive practice’ demonstrating approachability and sensitivity in dealing with alternative family structures.  Indeed, in addition to her practice in Matrimonial Finance, Elissa is also an expert in cohabitation claims of both heterosexual and homosexual partners.  She is able to draft cohabitation agreements at the beginning of the cohabitation relationship as well as a ‘separation agreement’ in the event of relationship breakdown.  In addition, a fearless advocate and well versed in the Civil Procedure Rules, Elissa represents many former cohabitants in court to deal with their property disputes where the parties have been unable to resolve them using other forms of dispute resolution. Elissa also undertakes private child law matters including contact and residence disputes and relocation whether domestic or international.  Elissa also undertakes work within the Court of Protection.
Nicola Hall

Nicola Hall

Nicola Hall has a broad practice in family law regularly appearing in the High Court, County Courts and Family Proceedings Courts. Nicola has a sound knowledge of Children Act Applications, both public and private and adoption and regularly represents both local authorities and parents in all aspects of Children Act proceedings. Nicola has significant experience dealing with complex cases involving non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse, domestic violence and child abduction/trafficking, as well as cases involving foreign elements, non-biological parents and human rights’ breaches. Nicola undertakes all work in relation to matrimonial finance and has dealt with cases ranging from limited to significant assets. Notable cases include: C (A Child) (Special Guardianship Order) [2019] EWCA Civ 2281 Bexley LBC v CW & 6 Ors [2014] EWFC 25 KC v Newham LBC [2010] E.L.R 429
Stephanie Hine

Stephanie Hine

Stephanie is an experienced family practitioner specialising in public law care proceedings and private law proceedings. She regularly receives instructions from local authorities, parents, guardians and interveners at all stages of care cases. She specialises in cases with allegations of serious sexual abuse requiring complex forensic fact-finding. In respect of private law cases Stephanie frequently acts for applicants and respondents in difficult disputes regarding arrangements for children. She has appeared at all levels of the Family Court, from first hearing EPOs, right through to the Court of Appeal.  Notable cases include: Re AB [2018] EWFC 3 Re L (Care Proceedings: Removal of Child) [2008] 1 FLR 575
Sally Homer

Sally Homer

Sally joined New Court Chambers as a tenant in 2012 following successful completion of her pupillage. She has a wealth of experience in all areas of family law having worked in both private practice and the public sector. Sally has also practised in criminal and mental health law. Sally came to the Bar as an experienced advocate having conducted hearings in the Family Proceedings Court, County Court and the High Court representing clients from first appointment through to final hearing. She is regularly instructed on behalf of Local Authorities in public law proceedings and has an excellent understanding of Local Authority internal procedures having worked ‘in-house’ for a number of years. Sally also has considerable experience of representing lay parties and is skilled at representing vulnerable clients, particularly those with complex mental health problems, with sensitivity and understanding.
Sally Jackson

Sally Jackson

Sally’s practice is primarily focussed on matrimonial finance and cohabitation disputes, as well as on disputes involving children on the breakdown of relationships. She regularly handles high value financial cases and those involving complex business structures, on and off shore assets and third party intervenors. She is well versed in dealing with cases involving jurisdictional disputes and pre-nuptial agreements. Sally also has a strong TLATA practice and has been instructed on numerous cases involving large property portfolios, as well as on Schedule 1 disputes. Sally regularly deals with private law children disputes, including leave to remove applications. Across all areas of her practice, Sally strongly believes in the importance of providing clear, robust advice at all stages of proceedings in order to maximise the chances of settlement. She combines a tough advocacy style with a highly personable approach. She understands the anxiety which clients feel when involved in contentious family disputes and she provides exceptional client care. Tattersall v Tattersall [2013] EWCA Civ 774 [2014] 1 FLR 997
Kezia Kernighan

Kezia Kernighan

Kezia accepts instructions in all areas of public and private children law and in injunctive applications under the Family Law Act 1996. Public Children Law: Kezia is regularly instructed by local authorities and parents in care and adoption proceedings involving chronic neglect, emotional abuse, substance misuse, domestic abuse and parental alienation. Kezia has experience of representing parents in Family Drug and Alcohol Court proceedings. Private Children Law: Kezia has successfully conducted multiple Fact-Finding hearings concerning serious allegations of domestic and physical abuse and has experience of cases with an international element.
George Lafazanides

George Lafazanides

George has a wealth of experience in representing parents and children in divorce, financial, adoption, wardship, and public and private law Children Act proceedings before different levels of tribunals, from Magistrates to complex High Court proceedings. He has conducted numerous High Court trials with complexities such as international elements, shaking injuries and FII. He more recently receives instructions from Local Authorities in addition to representing parents and children.  Notable cases include: Re L (A Child) (Jurisdiction – Private Fostering) [2015] EWHC 1617 (Fam) – Private fostering – Habitual residence – Jurisdiction Re E (A Child) [2020] EWFC 73 – Fact Find in a complex FII case
Kyri Lefteri

Kyri Lefteri

Kyri has a specialist family practice with particular emphasis on children work. Kyri has experience in all aspects of children law, including Public and Private law proceedings, Adoption and Child Abduction. He is regularly instructed in lengthy finding of fact hearings, final hearings and appeals, together with interim hearings and interlocutory applications. Kyri also represents clients in international family law cases and has appeared in the High Court in child abduction matters. An increasing proportion of Kyri’s practice relates to jurisdictional disputes in Family Law cases, including acting for clients who reside overseas. Kyri’s practice also includes Ancillary/Financial Relief and Family Law Injunctions.  Notable cases include: Re S (Withholding Evidence) [2022] EWFC 76 Re I [2020] EWCA Civ 281 Re S (A Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 249 Re P [2016] EWHC 1170 (fam) Redbridge v SNA [2015] EWHC 2140 (fam) P (A Child: Use of s.20 CA 1989) [2014] EWFC 775 Re SJ (A Child) [2011] EWHC 473 (Fam)
Kayleigh Long

Kayleigh Long

Kayleigh has a specialist family law practice, covering all areas of public children, private children and matrimonial finance. Kayleigh is well regarded for being professional and thorough whilst maintaining her down to earth and approachable style.  Notable cases include: RBG v M – Kayleigh represented a Local Authority in this case through to final hearing where three independent expert witnesses attended for cross examination. Re M – Kayleigh represented a Father in a 4 day finding of fact hearing involving serious allegations including attempted drowning. LRB v J – Kayleigh represented a Father in a 4 day finding of fact in care proceedings, where Father was exonerated of allegations involving serious domestic violence against the mother and child. Re H – Kayleigh represented a Mother in complex care proceedings before the High Court where the child was removed from the jurisdiction. The case involved issues around habitual residence, collection and recovery orders. O v O – Kayleigh successfully obtained an occupation order for the Wife in a case involving serious domestic violence that had been ongoing for several decades. I v J – Kayleigh represented a Wife in an application in the High Court for leave to apply for financial relief after an overseas divorce pursuant to Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 involving complex legal argument.
Samuel Marks

Samuel Marks

Accepts instructions in all areas of family law, with a particular emphasis on public and private children and applications under the Family Law Act 1996. Public law Samuel has represented local authorities, parents, special guardians, and children’s guardians. He has been led in cases involving allegations of serious sexual abuse. He frequently works in the Family Drug and Alcohol Court and has appeared before all levels of tribunal including Magistrates, the High Court, and the Court of Appeal.  Notable cases include: Re B-M (Children: Findings of Fact) [2021] EWCA Civ 1371 Private law: Samuel is regularly instructed in all areas of private children work. Samuel has experience of acting on behalf of parents, family members, and special guardians. Family Law Act: Samuel has both successfully made and resisted applications for injunctive relief under the Family Law Act 1996. At a recent hearing, he successfully obtained findings sought by his client, including coercive and controlling behaviour. Other: Samuel would welcome instructions in Court of Protection work and maintains a keen interest in developments in this area of law.
Sarah McMeechan

Sarah McMeechan

Sarah is a specialist practitioner in Family Law. She has particular experience in the areas of Public and Private Law children at all levels of Court, including the Court of Appeal. Her practice is now almost exclusively in Public Law (Care) Proceedings, in which she has extensive experience in representing Local Authorities, parents, extended family members, interveners and children. Her practice includes cases, which involve complex facts, concurrent criminal proceedings and investigations, chronic neglect, emotional, physical and sexual abuse and non accidental injuries. She has experience in dealing with cases involving vulnerable adults with substance misuse issues, mental health and cognitive difficulties. She drafts threshold documents, practice direction documents and Court Orders on a regular basis. She aims to ensure that clients receive a detailed and prompt written report after all Court hearings and in relation to instructions to ‘advise’. Sarah has previous experience of criminal law, both in prosecution and defence. She has also been instructed by Local Authorities to appear in the criminal courts in relation to matters of Public Interest Immunity.
Dinali Nanayakkara

Dinali Nanayakkara

Dinali has extensive experience in all aspects of family law. In public law she has represented local authorities, parents and children in tribunals ranging from the family proceedings courts to the High Court. She has acted in multiple-day hearings dealing with allegations of serious non-accidental injuries; chronic neglect and emotional abuse. She is especially skilled in working with vulnerable clients or those who have mental health difficulties and has a particular interest in cases where there is a cross-cultural dimension. Her private law work includes s8 applications and family law injunctions and has involved lengthy fact-finding hearings dealing with grave allegations of domestic violence.
Sarah Nuttall

Sarah Nuttall

Sarah specialises in public and private law children cases, including adoption proceedings, and is regularly instructed by local authorities, parents and children's guardians. Sarah accepts instructions on all aspects of public law work and is developing a practice (in her own right and as a led junior) with an increasing focus on complex and serious issues such as non-accidental injury, sexual abuse, mental health problems and FII. In private law matters, Sarah is frequently instructed to represent children in high-conflict cases that include implacable hostility and alienation.  Notable cases include: AB (Adoption or Rehabilitation) [2017] EWFC B44 (4 July 2017)
Sabrina Polak

Sabrina Polak

Specialist family law barrister with experience in all areas of family law. Sabrina regularly acts for Local Authorities, parents and children. She has represented parties at interim removal hearings, case management hearings, issues resolution hearings and final hearings. Sabrina has been involved in cases involving neglect, non-accidental injuries and sexual abuse. Sabrina also has experience in representing Local Authorities in Public Interest Immunity cases at the Crown Court. Sabrina has represented parents in private law children proceedings. She has experience of child arrangements order applications and finding of fact hearings. Sabrina also has experience of specific issue order and prohibited steps order applications, applications for temporary leave to remove from the jurisdiction, cases involving internal relocation and cases involving change of name applications and applications in respect of parental responsibility. She has appeared in the High Court. Sabrina has acted for applicants and respondents in non-molestation order and occupation order applications under the Family Law Act 1996. She has experience of without notice hearings and contested final hearings. Sabrina has experience of Court of Protection cases. In particular, she has an understanding of the deprivation of liberty safeguards as well as welfare, property and financial affairs.
Christopher Poole

Christopher Poole

All aspects of the law relating to children including in particular care and adoption proceedings and medical treatment cases. Often, but not exclusively, representing Local Authorities and Children’s Guardians. Special interest in cases involving serious factual disputes and medical evidence Notable Cases: Re B-M [2021]EWCA Civ 1218 Local Authority v M & others [2020] EWHC 2801 Local Authority v M & others [2020] EWHC 1216. K (children) [2019] EWCA Civ 2264 S-P (FGM; welfare) [2019] EWFC B77 S-P (FGM; reopening fact finding) [2019] EWFC B76 S-P (FGM; fact finding) [2018] EWFC B101. WCC v M [2017] EWHC 1221. WCC v M [2017] EWHC 5168 Y (Children) (Findings of Fact as to Radicalisation) (Pt.2) [2016] EWHC 3825 (Fam). Y (Children) (Findings of Fact as to Radicalisation) (Pt.1) [2016] EWHC 3826 (Fam). Y (Children) (Radicalisation: Interim Removal) [2016] EWHC 3827 (Fam). LBBD v C & Ors [2014] EWHC 2472. Re H (a child) [2014] EWHC 970
Raisa Saley

Raisa Saley

Raisa regularly represents Local Authorities, parents and children in both public and private law proceedings. Raisa undertakes Family Law Act injunctions and frequently conducts ex parte and return date hearings in cases involving domestic violence and harassment. Raisa has appeared in the Family Proceedings Court, County Court and High Court, representing clients from the first appointment through to the appeal stage. She is often instructed in highly contested and complex family matters and has acted in multiple-day hearings with allegations of chronic neglect, physical and emotional abuse. Raisa has considerable experience drafting documents for court including position statements, threshold documents and other practice direction documents. Having previously worked with victims of domestic violence through a charitable project, Raisa is particularly skilled at representing vulnerable clients. She is very aware of the difficult and conflicting emotions clients experience when coming to court and has been described as having a personable and professional approach to her work.
Andrew Shaw

Andrew Shaw

Andrew is a specialist children law barrister, and skilled practitioner in all aspects of family law and the Court of Protection. Andrew represents a breadth of parties within public law care proceedings including parents, Local Authorities and Children’s Guardians. Andrew’s public law practice includes complex and serious abuse cases such as NAI, sexual abuse and forced marriage; and those cases with international element, including child abduction, and child trafficking. In private law, these include intractable contact disputes, separately represented child(ren), parental alienation and cases involving serious domestic violence and sexual abuse. Andrew’s is skilled in computers and technology, being chambers' resident IT expert, and applies these skills within complex forensic cases.  Notable cases include: R (Children: Control of Court Documents) [2021] EWCA Civ 162 N (A Child) [2019] EWCA Civ 1997 Buckinghamshire County Council v RT [2018] EWCOP 12 Bedfordshire Police Constabulary v RU & Anor [2013] EWHC 2350 (Fam), [2013] WLR (D) 319 B (A Local Authority) v AM [2010] EWHC B31 (Fam)
Sam Wallace

Sam Wallace

Sam specialises in both public and private children law, where he has experience in acting for local authorities, parents, guardians and separately represented children. He has particular interest and experience in cases involving serious injury and child death, cases involving allegations of fabricated and induced illness, cases in both the public and private law sphere involving allegations of serious parental alienation and cases involving forced marriage, FGM and honour-based violence. Sam also has a growing interest in cases with an international element, and he has recent experience in acting for both applicants and respondents in international child abduction proceedings in both Hague Convention and non/Hague Convention cases.
Robert Wilkinson

Robert Wilkinson

Robert specialises in all aspects of the law relating to children. Robert’s practice increasingly involves representing children through their appointed Guardian, both in public law care proceedings, and to a greater extent in private law proceedings through Rule 16.4. Robert also readily receives instructions on behalf of Local Authorities, parents and interveners in public law children proceedings as well as the full range of private law children and Family Law Act work. Robert frequently acts in complex care cases involving allegations of serious physical, emotional and sexual abuse and has appeared at all levels from lay justices to the Court of Appeal.  
Wing Yan Chan

Wing Yan Chan

Wing practises in both public and private children law and the court of protection. She has a broad experience representing local authorities, parents, grandparents and children.  Issues regularly involve neglect, emotional and physical abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, mental health difficulties and placement outside the jurisdiction.  She also has experience of cases involving force feeding, fabricated and factitious illness, and complex cases involving multiple children.  She regularly appears before circuit and high court judges. In private law proceedings, Wing represents clients in a range of s.8 Children Act 1989 matters, including residence, contact, prohibited steps orders and applications to remove the child from the jurisdiction.  She also represents clients in Family Law Act 1996 injunctions and domestic violence matters.