Department profile
42BR Barristers

Family: Children

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)

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42BR Barristers

Rankings

Chambers Review

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Family: Children - London (Bar)

Band 4

What the Team is Known For

A well-renowned children set commended by peers and clients alike. Barristers here are frequently instructed in the representation of vulnerable clients in care proceedings. The cases it handles are complex and sensitive, many of them being within the context of non-accidental injury and sexual abuse. Members have further expertise in private children cases. Some of the many areas it covers include matters concerning child abduction, forced marriage, radicalisation and asylum applications. An interviewee remarks that "the set has very experienced, knowledgeable and helpful barristers who stand out and go the extra mile." Another source adds: "Their counsel are experienced and balance this with excellent client care and support."

James Tidman is the Senior Family Practice Manager.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks, particularly Luke Goodman and James Tidnam, senior practice manager, are always very responsive to requests and will do all they can to assist.

    Family: Children respondentUK Bar

  • Practice manager Daragh Henderson is extremely efficient, highly responsive and a joy to work with.

    Family: Children respondentUK Bar

  • The clerks really understand the needs of solicitors and the intricacies of persuading the clients to instruct counsel. The level of service from the clerks at 42BR has always been excellent.

    Family: Children respondentUK Bar

  • Practice manager Tim Dockrill is phenomenal and deserves a commendation on his own. I owe the efficient running of my hearings and my legal practice to Tim.

    Family: Children respondentUK Bar

  • Practice manager Luke Goodman stands out as he provides excellent service.

    Family: Children respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Gemma Taylor
    Gemma Taylor

    Gemma Taylor

    Gemma Taylor KC is renowned for handling serious public law cases relating to severe injury and abuse. She exhibits strength representing parents and children in matters with complex medical evidence. Taylor has experience in cases that overlap with Human Rights Act claims.

    • Gemma Taylor is meticulous in her preparation and has a cool, calm and collected manner in court. She never loses control of a witness.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Gemma is friendly and approachable, particularly when dealing with complex, often fraught, matters. She's a joy to work with and someone who imparts knowledge every time you instruct her.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
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  • Tina Cook
    Tina Cook

    Tina Cook

    Tina Cook KC is a well-regarded children practitioner who is known for her expertise in public law care work. Her practice consists of cases involving sensitive issues such as fictitious illness and sexual abuse. She is also at home dealing with cases involving complex genetic disorders. Cook represents local authorities, children and parents.

    • An exceptional silk. It is a real treat to watch her cross-examine.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Tina Cook is an exceptional advocate with an incredible skill set. She is approachable, very well prepared and outstanding inside and outside of court.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • A joy to instruct and a complete breath of fresh air. Tina knows the papers inside out, is good with anxious clients, and she achieves incredible results. Her cross-examination of experts is superb.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
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  • Sharan Bhachu
    Sharan Bhachu

    Sharan Bhachu

    Sharan Bhachu is noted for her experience in welfare hearings, and represents a wide variety of clients including parents, local authorities and children's guardians. Her expertise covers a broad array of matters including cases involving transgender and cultural issues.

    • A complete advocate. She's an adaptable performer who displays exceptional client care.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Knowledgeable, responsive and on top of her work, she is a pragmatic barrister, who is willing to go the extra mile to help.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
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  • Damian Woodward-Carlton
    Damian Woodward-Carlton

    Damian Woodward-Carlton

    Damian Woodward-Carlton KC represents an array of clients at the Family Bar in medical cases spanning non-accidental injuries, fabricated and induced illnesses and domestic abuse cases.

    • Damian combines great client care with real forensic ability. He's a go-to silk for complex medical cases involving serious injury and child death.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Damian is a very approachable KC who is extremely helpful and supportive.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
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  • Jonathan Bennett
    Jonathan Bennett

    Jonathan Bennett

    Jonathan Bennett acts on behalf of all parties in care proceedings and specialises in non-accidental injury cases with complex forensic evidence. He is also proficient in private and public law cases involving matters of serious abuse and neglect. He often appears before the Court of Appeal and is noted for the strength of his advocacy.

    • Jonathan always produces particularly good written work including superior skeleton arguments.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • A strong and robust advocate.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
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  • Philip McCormack
    Philip McCormack

    Philip McCormack

    Philip McCormack is a public law specialist with experience in civil and criminal proceedings. He mainly represents children in complex proceedings across a range of matters including those relating to infant death and abuse. McCormack represents all parties to proceedings, including children.

    • Philip is always well prepared and always ahead of the game. He is a considered and effective advocate with fantastic client care skills.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Philip is composed and persuasive. He's the voice of reason at all times.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Excellent in terms of both preparation and advocacy, and a calm-headed character who focuses on what needs to be done for the client.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
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  • Kate Claxton
    Kate Claxton

    Kate Claxton

    Kate Claxton brings her previous experience as a family law solicitor to bear in complex children law cases. She is instructed by local authorities, parents and guardians in complex care proceedings, non-accidental injury cases and matters involving international elements.

    • Kate Claxton is a very approachable advocate in whom you can have the utmost confidence.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Kate provides a high level of service and is always willing to step in to assist with urgent matters. She very quickly gets to grips with matters and displays a high level of proficiency.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Kate prepares thoroughly for every single hearing and, as a former Children Panel Solicitor, she understands the instructing solicitor's job well.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Kate is very helpful and easy to work with. It is always a pleasure to instruct her.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
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  • Katie Phillips
    Katie Phillips

    Katie Phillips

    Katie Phillips exhibits expertise in family cases concerning vulnerable children in complex care proceedings. Her experience encompasses a range of issues from child death and sexual assault to international adoption. She acts for all parties and specialises in non-accidental injury matters.

    • Outstanding in terms of her preparation and advocacy, she is a go-to advocate for complex and sophisticated matters, who always ensures the client receives trusted representation.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Katie is an excellent advocate who is nimbly able to navigate difficulties as they arise in court.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at 42BR Barristers (8)

London (Bar)

42BR Barristers has rankings in the following guides

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