The members at the London and Oxford-based set Harcourt Chambers have expertise in both public and private children law work, and the set is praised as a ’go-to chambers for complex matters’. Among the silks, head of chambers Nick Goodwin KC is highly sought after for his experience in handling complex medical evidence relating to babies and children, and he has also frequently appeared before the Court of Appeal. Jonathan Sampson KC is praised as an ‘excellent advocate with meticulous attention to detail’, and he is notably proficient in representing clients in cases surrounding the death of a child, as well as cases with an international element. John Vater KC and Aidan Vine KC are also key silks at the set. Turning to the juniors, Margaret Styles ‘works tirelessly for clients’ and has a strong grounding in care proceedings, and Alex Forbes ,’who is extremely well prepared and focussed in his approach to cases‘, also has a notable public law practice. ’Exceptional all round‘, Lucy Fairclough is highly skilled in cases surrounding allegations of sexual abuse, injuries to children, and domestic violence, with experience in proceedings involving the cross-examination of a child. Oliver Powell has more of an emphasis in private children law proceedings in the Family Court and the High Court. Care and adoption proceedings form a key part of Natasha Miller’s practice, as well as cases involving deprivation of liberty; she is lauded for her ‘razor sharp cross examination skills’.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks are amazing, particularly Jessica Keen and Laurie Amron, who have saved the day on more than one occasion.'
- 'Laurie Amron and Jessica Keen are top class. You feel as though you get personal service from national chambers.'
- 'The clerks are great. Matthew Malloy is always really responsive and personable.'
- 'The clerks are fantastic and always go the extra mile. Matthew Malloy and Laurie Amron are excellent.'
- 'The service offered by the chambers was brilliant. Very quick responses from Matthew Molloy.'
- 'Harcourt covers the full range of family matters, from pupil to KC. Very strong Juniors. Rarely have no availability.'
Lawyers
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Jonathan Sampson KC
'Jonathan is an experienced silk, and he is a calm and measured advocate. Jonathan is able to identify the key issue or submission in a case with ease, and to persuade even the most difficult of judges to his point of view, and he has an excellent knowledge of the law and medicine.'
John Vater KC
sight to behold.’
Aidan Vine KC
‘Aidan is a tenacious advocate; his written documents are always detailed and well-researched and in oral advocacy he will pursue his argument as far as he can.'
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Matthew Brookes-Baker
Matthew is one of the most effective and committed advocates around. He is clear and focused with every line he takes - a real force to be reckoned with.'
Alex Forbes
'Alex is extremely well prepared and focussed in his approach to cases. He is able to dissect complex medical opinion and present it in a way that can be readily understood.'
Hannah Mettam
‘Hannah is a fantastically skilled and knowledgeable advocate. Her advocacy is first class and she puts forward arguments clearly, effectively and politely. Hannah is always polite, courteous, available to have conferences, proactive, and efficient.'
Lucy Fairclough
client care is exemplary.'
Daniel Sheridan
'Dan has a real talent in relation to his advocacy. He is clear and firm in his approach but also empathy when undertaking his cross-examination. He is always child focused and has a real attention to detail on all cases.'
Margaret Styles
‘Margaret is a force to be reckoned with in the court room; a fierce advocate who is also so approachable. She will go the extra mile and genuinely makes a real difference to the cases you instruct her on, particularly the complex matters.'
Stephen Crispin
'A strong, calm, unflappable advocate who cuts straight to the key issues.'
Martha Gray
Natasha Miller
works tirelessly for clients, even in cases which seem to have less merit, and she is a strong advocate who is very well respected by judiciary and other counsel.'
Oliver Powell
‘Oliver is able to bring together key themes in what can often be complicated proceedings and present this in a very clear and organised format to the court.'
Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
