4PB garners praise for being ‘the best set for children law specialists’. The team is very highly regarded for its expertise in handling a wide spectrum of private, public, and international children law matters. The set is home to Barbara Mills KC, who was elected Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales 2025 in January 2025, and has extensive experience in handling complex cases involving allegations of serious injuries and parental alienation; she sits as joint head of chambers with Charles Hale KC, ‘a true star of the profession’. The ’formidable’ Jo Delahunty KC is ‘a force of nature’, with an excellent track record in handling complex cases involving the deaths of children, allegations of serious injuries and fabricated or induced illnesses, to name a few areas of instruction. Among the juniors, the ’robust’ Justine Johnson is regularly instructed in proceeding concerning applications to remove children from the jurisdiction, and the ‘pragmatic’ Sally Bradley acts on complex cases concerning adoption, relocation, and alleged physical, sexual and emotional abuse. In recent developments, Jacqueline Renton KC was elevated to silk in March 2025, and Bibi Badejo and Imogen Mellor joined the team in June 2025. Alex Verdan KC joined the employed Bar with partnership at Stewarts Law LLP, where he leads the firm’s child law team.
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Profile

Profile

Work Department

International Children Law; Private Children Law

Position

Overview

Jacqueline specialises in the field of international children law. Running alongside her international practice, she also has a substantial practice in complex / high conflict private children law disputes. She is very experienced in complex and sensitive litigation, both at first instance and appellate level, and was against KC’s for many years prior to taking silk.

For many years, Jacqueline has been ranked in Band 1 in Chambers and Partners, the Legal 500 and The Spear’s 500 Directory. She has been shortlisted for a number of legal awards over the years. Upon taking silk, she was featured in “The Silk Class of 2025: Ten Names to Note” by the Legal 500.

Jacqueline has appeared in a significant number of the most important decisions in this jurisdiction (and abroad) relating to the development of international children law. Her cases often involve complex and novel points of law, and she has played an important role in the development of this area of jurisprudence for many years. To date, she has appeared in 79 reported cases.

Jacqueline appears regularly in the High Court. She also has a substantial appellate practice having, to date, appeared in 16 appeals to the Court of Appeal and 6 appeals to the UK Supreme Court.

In addition to her domestic practice, Jacqueline has appeared before the Court of Justice of the European Union where she made oral submissions in the case of UD v XB [2019] C-393/18 (PPU), and has filed two amicus curiae briefs before the US Supreme Court.

Jacqueline has represented a number of celebrities over the years, as well as numerous UHNW / HNW clients. She also remains fully committed to publicly funded and pro bono work.

Jacqueline is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and a member of the International Family Justice Committee. She is the lead editor of the international section of ‘Rayden and Jackson’. Jacqueline lectures in this jurisdiction and abroad, and has given expert evidence in the House of Lords as to the impact of Brexit on European family law.

Publications/Training

Lead editor of the international section of ‘Rayden and Jackson’.

Career

Awards

  • Shortlisted Family Law Junior of the Year at LexisNexis Legal Awards 2024
  • Shortlisted Family Law Junior of the Year at Chambers UK Bar Awards 2016
  • Shortlisted Family Law Junior of the Year at Jordans Family Law Awards 2016
  • Queen Mother Scholarship, Middle Temple, 2006
  • Queen Mother Scholarship, Middle Temple, 2005

Memberships

Professional Memberships  
  • Family Law Bar Association
  • Middle Temple
  • Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers.

Education

Education & Qualifications

  • Private International Law Course, The Hague Academy of
  • International Law, Den Haag 2007
  • Bar Vocational Course, Inns of Court School of Law, 2007
  • Diploma in Law, City University, 2006
  • BA (Hons) Theology and Politics, University of Bristol, 2005
  • Queen Mother Scholarship, Middle Temple, 2006
  • Queen Mother Scholarship, Middle Temple, 2005

Content supplied by 4PB

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The service in the clerk's room is first rate. Michael Reeves operates a tight ship.'
  • 'Michael Reeves is the most superb of clerks. He knows what his solicitors need and always works hard to ensure that the clients needs are met. Paul Hennessey is friendly, efficient and really excellent. Both are ably supported by Kenny Martin, Jamie Byrne, and Denise Fallon.'
  • 'Paul Hennessy is superb.'
  • 'The 4PB clerks go above and beyond to provide an excellent service.'
  • '4PB is a standout chambers in the field of family law.'
  • 'Outstanding children set, with a really fantastic cross-section of knowledgeable and top-class barristers.'
  • 'A brilliant chambers with a particular strength in children work.'
  • 'Very strong set.'