Christopher Adams, who regularly acts for local authorities, parents, and children in cases surrounding serious injuries to children, and Christopher Watson, who is experienced in international adoption and inherent jurisdiction cases, jointly head up the children law group at St Philips Chambers, within which sits specialist family practitioner Sara Lewis KC, who is often in the High Court due to her ‘fantastic knowledge of the medical issues’, representing clients in cases of the upmost seriousness surrounding complex medical evidence and allegations of causing catastrophic and fatal injuries to children, as well as sexual abuse and fabricated and induced illness cases. The set is praised for having ‘top-class barristers’, and head of the family team as a whole is Carolyn Jones, a ‘formidable advocate’ who handles both public and private law matters. The ‘sagacious and highly experienced’ Gemma Bowes has considerable strength in proceedings surrounding forced marriages, fabricated illness, and extremism. Nicholas Brown boasts expertise in care proceedings, with particular expertise in cases regarding FGM; he has an ‘eye for detail and is extremely knowledgeable about the law and procedure’. Yolanda Pemberton exclusively acts in public law matters and is highly equipped to act in cases surrounding historic sexual abuse, neglect, and radicalisation. William Horwood predominately acts in public law proceedings and is sought after for his expertise in handling cases regarding the placement of children outside of the UK.
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Work Department

Family

Position

Carolyn Jones is Head of the St Philips Family Law Group and joint Deputy Head of Chambers.

Carolyn is a Family Law Specialist known for her no nonsense approach. She has a reputation for excellent client care, scrupulous preparation and intrepid advocacy. She gives direct advice and will speak openly and honestly about the strengths and weaknesses of a case. Carolyn regularly conducts cases in the Family court, High Court and the Appellate courts.

Carolyn regularly lectures on all aspects of family law.

Carolyn is regularly instructed in complex public law cases to act for local authorities, parents, guardians and intervenors and her experience covers cases which include:

  • Child death cases,
  • Non accidental head injury,
  • Sexual abuse,
  • Physical abuse,
  • Chronic neglect and drug and alcohol abuse,
  • Human and child trafficking,
  • Fictitious illness,
  • Adoption breakdowns,
  • PII applications,
  • Instructions by the official solicitor to represent vulnerable individuals,
  • Wardship,
  • Forced marriage

Most of the private law cases Carolyn receives instructions in, have a complex element to them, including following the breakdown of a same sex relationship.

Carolyn is experienced in representing the child as a separate party in the proceedings.

She has also been instructed in many cases where the application is for removal from the jurisdiction and is therefore extremely familiar with all of the caselaw, procedure and issues in cases of this type.

Career

Called 1995, Lincoln’s Inn.

Memberships

Association of Lawyers for Children; Family Law Association; British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering.

Education

Queen Mary and Westfield College, London University (law).

Content supplied by St Philips Chambers

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Very receptive chambers with clerks that are responsive and helpful. Anthony Burgess and Sarah Doyle particularly amenable and friendly and do their best to accommodate any requests.'
  • 'St Philips is the go-to chambers in Birmingham with top-class barristers, but having top class barristers do not make the chambers alone - it is also having top class clerks in Kelly Fullwood and Mark Mansell. The clerking at St Philips is brilliant and very supportive and will go that extra mile to support you and the case.'
  • 'The clerks are very helpful and accommodating, especially Kelly Fullwood, who is always friendly and happy to help.'
  • 'Mark Mansell, Anthony Burgess, and Kelly Fullwood are all very capable clerks. Their response times are fast and they work hard to ensure continuity of counsel wherever possible.'
  • 'All the clerks are helpful, particularly Mark Mansell and Kelly Fullwood, who are excellent. Experienced and know the individual strengths of their barristers.'
  • 'Mark Mansell, along with his clerking team, have an excellent reputation in the local area providing a quality service which makes this chambers the first port of call when looking to instruct counsel. Mr Mansell has always strived to assist in difficult situations and, at times, at very short notice.'
  • 'St Philips' clerks are at the top of their game! The most efficient, seamless and no-hassle service offered at every turn. Mark Mansell, Kelly Fullwood, Anthony Burgess, Sarah Doyle and Ellie Hogan-Evans are professional, passionate, friendly and incredibly committed. The solicitors of Birmingham would be lost without them!'
  • 'The clerks are fantastic and will try and move heaven and earth if needs be to help me. Kelly Fullwood is quite simply a magician.'