Lauded as 'a consistently impressive set of talented barristers', 1 GC | Family Law has established expertise in handling the full range of public and private children law work. Andrew Norton KC is adept at advising on public and private child law matters, often representing local authorities, parents, and children in complex cases; he co-heads the set with Sally Stone KC, who is sought after for her strength in handling care and adoption proceedings, often involving allegations of serious injuries and the deaths of children. Sam Momtaz KC is instructed in cases concerning alleged radicalisation and fabricated or induced illnesses. Turning to the juniors, Claire Heppenstall 'combines clarity, persuasion, and authority in the courtroom', and Daisy Hughes' 'cross-examination is formidably effective'. In recent developments, Emily James KC and Richard Jones KC were both appointed to silk in March 2025, and Kiran Channa joined the team in April 2025.
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Profile

Profile

Position

Richard Jones KC practices across the full range of serious children cases both in the public and private sphere. In the private law field, his work encompasses the full array of disputes, covering both international leave to remove and internal relocations as well as matters relating to alleged parental alienation and intractable disputes. Richard’s work also has an increasing focus on both child abduction as well as surrogacy and parental order applications relating to s.54 of the HFEA 2008.

In the public law field, Richard is frequently instructed by both Local Authorities and parents in complex care proceedings involving disputed medical evidence and serious allegations of physical or emotional harm. Richard also is often instructed of behalf of Children’s Guardians and has appeared at all court levels up to the Court of Appeal.

Career

Called in 2003.

Year of Silk: 2025

Memberships

Association of Lawyers for Children Bar Council Member 2015-2017 Family Law Bar Association (FLBA) Family Mediators Association (FMA) and of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Education

MA (Hons) Cantab; Emmanuel College, Cambridge University

Trained mediator

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Paul Harris runs a tight ship.'
  • 'Paul Harris leads from the front, always super quick and willing to move mountains to make things happen.'
  • 'Paul Harris is a dynamo of energy, David McDonald is Mr. Reliable, and the rest of the clerks' team regularly solve the insolvable.'
  • 'The clerking team at 1GC is second to none—professional, friendly, responsive, and always solution-focused.'
  • 'An outstanding set.'
  • '1GC is renowned for its exceptional family law practice.'
  • 'One of the leading chambers in relation to public law children work.'
  • 'Market-leading set.'
L500 | 1GC | Family Law > Family: children and domestic abuse > London Bar | Legal 500 law firm profiles