South Eastern Circuit
Harcourt Chambers 'offers excellent breadth of experience when it comes to children law cases'. Nick Goodwin KC is active in private and public child law matters, while Aidan Vine KC advises on child abduction cases and care proceedings. International children law cases form a key pillar of Edward Devereux KC's practice. Turning to the juniors, the 'incredibly talented advocate' Mehvish Chaudhry has particular strength in handling private child law proceedings. In a boost to the senior end of chambers, Rob George KC was appointed to silk level in March 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Also Oxford (0844 561 7135). Deals with family, human rights and professional negligence.
Recent notable cases:
The Child and Family Agency (Ireland) v M & Ors [2018] EWHC 1581 (Fam)
GP (A Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 1677 – Court of Appeal. 1980 Hague Convention. Article 13b. Grave risk of harm to child if abducting parent returned to home country to face imprisonment for child abduction.
Re Z (A Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 157 (translation costs)
H (A Child) v Northamptonshire County Council and the Legal Aid Agency [2017] EWHC 282 (Fam) (human rights damages, the legal aid charge and costs)
Re: H (A Child) (International Abduction; Asylum and Welfare) [2016] EWCA Civ 988, [2017] 2 FLR 527 (child abduction, wardship, return orders and asylum)
Re D (A Child) [2016] EWHC 1154 (Fam) (child abduction and Brussels II Revised return orders)
Career
Called 1995, Middle Temple; Silk 2016. Former Pegasus scholar and temporary lawyer at European Court of Human Rights. Publications: contributory editor, Butterworths ‘Family Law Service’ (jurisdictions and human rights).
Languages
French.
Education
St Edward’s School, Oxford; Lincoln College, Oxford University (1992 BA Hons); Cornell University (1993 MA Hons).
Content supplied by Harcourt Chambers
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Clients can count on Harcourt clerks for timely updates and impeccable communication throughout their instruction, in particular Laurie Amron and Matt Molloy. Their proactive and friendly approach ensures that clients receive the highest level of service with fast, understandable and helpful responses at every stage of the process.'
- 'Clerks are exceptional. Matt Molloy stands out for going out of his way to help even in the most urgent of cases.'
- 'Matt Molloy is fantastic as he will always go the extra mile to assist.'
- 'Excellent - a truly first-class clerks room. They are efficient, friendly and really go the extra mile. Standouts are Matt Molloy and Laurie Amron.'
- 'Harcourt Chambers are exceptional.'
- 'A go to chambers for family law. Their expertise is second to none.'
- 'An outstanding set of practitioners.'
- 'A brilliant set for children matters and international children work.'