Profile
Work Department
Position
Elizabeth McGrath KC (Liz) was called to the Bar in 1987 and has practiced exclusively in family law for over 20 years, with a focus on children and care disputes. She was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2014 and is 3PB’s Head of Chambers.
Liz has extensive expertise in public law, acting for Local Authorities, parents, and children in the High Court and the Court of Appeal. She has been instructed in numerous complex fact-finding hearings involving allegations of sexual abuse and non-accidental injuries and has appeared in several reported cases.
She is often instructed in highly sensitive private law children disputes, particularly those involving residence, contact, relocation, LGBT parenting, and surrogacy. Her vast experience across both private and public family law, combined with her down-to-earth and approachable manner, inspires confidence in instructing solicitors and allows her to build a strong rapport with clients.
Liz’s meticulous preparation ensures she quickly identifies the key issues in complex cases. While she provides firm and fair advice with a focus on early resolution where possible, she is also known for her concise, robust, and effective advocacy when a judicial decision is required.
Family
Liz was called to the Bar in 1987 and has practiced exclusively in the field of family law for over 20 years. She frequently appears in complex and sensitive cases involving children, both in public and private law proceedings, often dealing with intricate factual and expert evidence.
Liz has a proven ability to manage high-conflict cases with a calm and professional approach while dedicating significant energy to advocating for her clients.
She is also available for work internationally on all Children-related family law matters.
Reported Cases
- A Local Authority v Mother & Ors [2024] EWHC 3511 (Fam)
- P and E (Care Proceedings: Whether to Hold Fact-Finding Hearing), Re [2024] EWCA Civ 403
- The Mother & Anor v Shropshire Council & Anor [2024] EWHC 344 (Fam)
- A Local Authority -v- MM, NM, MC, CM and W, X , Y and Z (Children acting through their Guardian) [2020] EWFC 65
- Re ABC (Children: Overlaying Child) [2020] EWFC [57]
- B-T (A Child: Threshold Conditions) [2020] EWCA Civ 697
- RE AA (Children) & 25 Ors [2019] EWFC 64
- E (A Child) (Family Proceedings: Evidence), Re [2016] EWCA Civ 473; [2016] 4 W.L.R. 105
- Stockport MBC v AM [2016] EWFC 12
- A CC v AB [2015] EWFC 82
- W (Children) (Adoption: Procedure: Conditions), Re [2015] EWCA Civ 403; [2016] 1 F.L.R. 454; [2015] 3 F.C.R. 99; [2015] Fam. Law 765
- Coventry City Council v B [2012] EWHC 4014 (Fam); [2015] 1 F.L.R. 411; [2014] Fam. Law 954
- E (A Child) (Wardship Order: Child in Voluntary Accommodation), Re [2012] EWCA Civ 1773; [2013] 2 F.L.R. 63; [2013] Fam. Law 399
- K (A Child) (Post Adoption Placement Breakdown), Re [2012] EWHC 4148 (Fam); [2013] 1 F.L.R. 1; [2012] Fam. Law 1450
- Coventry City Council v O [2011] EWCA Civ 729; [2012] Fam. 210; [2012] 3 W.L.R. 208; [2012] P.T.S.R. 835; [2011] 2 F.L.R. 936; [2011] 3 F.C.R. 38; [2012] B.L.G.R. 279; [2011]
- Fam. Law 921; (2011) 108(27) L.S.G. 23; (2011) 161 N.L.J. 952; Times, July 1, 2011; Official Transcript
- J (A Child) (Care Proceedings: Injuries), Re [2009] EWHC 1383 (Fam); [2009] 2 F.L.R. 99; [2009] Fam. Law 479
Career
Year of Call: 1987
Year of Silk: 2014
Memberships
- Association of Lawyers for Children
- Family Law Association
- British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering
Content supplied by 3PB
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Ian Charlton is always attentive and will always be available to help. Isabelle Lea is extremely good, has excellent communication and makes you feel that she has everything under control.'
- 'Ian Charlton is a go-to. You can completely trust his opinion.'
- 'David Sadler is efficient, helpful and provides excellent customer service.'
- 'The clerks are helpful and always willing to assist, and they will go above and beyond in order to accommodate choice of counsel. They are so helpful. Gemma Hyett is wonderful to deal with.'
- 'The clerks' room is excellent. Ian Charlton, Gemma Hyett, Rob Leonard and Philip Jones are exceptional and will do anything they can to help and are very approachable.'
- 'Isabelle Lee and Gemma Hyett are fantastic; very swift to respond and always on top of their barristers' diaries.'
- 'An excellent, strong clerking team. Ian Charlton is always accommodating and helpful and is extremely well supported by Isabelle Lee, Gemma Hyett, and Philip Jones who are always pleasant, responsive and helpful and cannot do enough.'
- 'Ian Charlton and Rob Leonard are class acts. They go the extra mile on availability as well as fee negotiation. You feel like you have a genuine relationship with them. They really look after you.'