Department profile
Crane & Staples

Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

Share profile

Crane & Staples

Rankings

About

Provided by Crane & Staples

Department Overview

The Public Law Care Team at Crane & Staples have an excellent reputation for handling the most challenging and complex childcare cases in a professional, empathetic yet firm manner. 

The department is headed by Senior Associate Solicitor Sian Churchill. Other solicitors include Senior Associate Janet Martland, and Associate Lilas Kayani.

The team are committed to helping parties reach agreement without the need for contested hearings, where possible. However, if court proceedings are issued, the team have the skills to undertake their own advocacy in care matters, at all levels up to final hearing. They also have an excellent network of reputable barristers to instruct where required. High-level cases often involve the instruction of Silk and renowned medical experts.

Types of Work

Public Law matters at Crane & Staples include complex care cases, often involving:

  • Abuse (including sexual abuse)
  • Non-accidental injury
  • Fabricated or induced illness
  • Neglect
  • Drug/Alcohol addiction
  • Mental health
  • Deprivation of Liberty
  • Secure Accommodation
  • Matters with a criminal crossover

Accreditations

The firm has been Lexcel accredited for 18 years. This is the quality mark of the Law Society.

Everyone in the Family team is a member of Resolution.

Each team member also has individual accreditations, including: Resolution Accredited Specialist, Law Society Children's Panel, Family Law and Family Law (Advanced).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters - UK-wide

Band 2

What the Team is Known For
Crane & Staples provides a range of family law services from its base in Welwyn Garden City, including significant public law expertise. The team primarily represents parents and other adult family members in care proceedings arising from allegations of abuse, neglect and non-accidental injury, as well as representing young people in cases concerning deprivation of liberty.
View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The care department at Crane & Staples go over and above for their clients. The team have very good legal knowledge and prepare their cases thoroughly, giving realistic advice from an early stage.

    Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters respondentUK

  • They are aware of their clients' particular needs and the challenges they face. This helps them give realistic and practical advice and good legal strategy.

    Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters respondentUK

  • Crane & Staples has exceptional solicitors at all levels and can handle anything children public law related.

    Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters respondentUK

  • Crane & Staples is an excellent team of people who are intelligent, hard-working and committed to achieving the best possible outcome.

    Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Janet Martland
    Janet Martland

    Janet Martland

    Janet Martland acts on behalf of both parents and children in care proceedings and has particular expertise in matters involving concern around drug and alcohol abuse.

    • Janet Martland is a great solicitor.

      Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters respondentUK

    • Janet is exceptional in her advice to us. She is always willing to be flexible to meet clients' needs and put clients at ease.

      Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters respondentUK

    • Janet has always gone above and beyond for me. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

      Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters respondentUK
    View profile
  • Lilas Kayani
    Lilas Kayani

    Lilas Kayani

    Lilas Kayani has wide-ranging experience within both public and private law children matters. She is noted for her expertise representing parents in complex care proceedings.

    • Lilas Kayani is the epitome of professionalism, delivering outstanding results with precision and effectiveness.

      Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters respondentUK

    • Lilas is absolutely fantastic. She has an excellent, down-to-earth, clear and reliable approach to the client.

      Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters respondentUK

    • Lilas is a very astute and competent lawyer whose approach to client care is impeccable.

      Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters respondentUK
    View profile

Ranked Individuals at Crane & Staples (2)

UK-wide

Members

Provided by Crane & Staples

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership