Department profile
Garden Court Chambers

Family: Children

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)

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Garden Court Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Family: Children - London (Bar)

Band 5

What the Team is Known For

Garden Court Chambers is home to a stable of highly able barristers who assist their clients with both children and matrimonial finance matters. Members prove particularly strong on public children law cases, often appearing in care proceedings involving accusations of abuse, domestic violence, child death, non-accidental injury, FGM and factitious illness. They also represent clients in private law children and financial remedy matters, including cases relating to TOLATA, Schedule 1 and parental alienation, some of which are international in nature. One solicitor comments: "Garden Court Chambers has specialist barristers who have exceptional skill."

Kevin McCarthy is the Senior Family Practice Manager.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Garden Court clerks are always on hand to assist in any way that they can. This provides for a seamless service.

    Family: Children respondentUK Bar

  • The clerks always respond very quickly to my enquiries and do their best to meet my clients' needs.

    Family: Children respondentUK Bar

  • The clerks are always helpful and accommodating.

    Family: Children respondentUK Bar

  • All the clerks are approachable and efficient. Kevin McCarthy is especially helpful.

    Family: Children respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Malek Wan Daud
    Malek Wan Daud

    Malek Wan Daud

    Malek Wan Daud is a public law practitioner handling complex care work on behalf of all parties, with a particular interest in representing minority individuals and vulnerable clients. He is known for his participation in serious cases involving allegations of sexual abuse, drug use, domestic violence and neglect. He has expertise in contact and residency disputes both domestic and international in nature.

    • He's level-headed, knowledgeable, really experienced and just a really good person.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Malek is fantastic with both parent clients and professional children's guardians. He is able to find the balance between sensitively advising vulnerable clients and putting their case strongly.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Skilled and feted for her calm, well-managed cross-examination.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Malek has a wealth of experience and his representation of children through their guardians is thorough and always effective.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
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  • Stephen Lue
    Stephen Lue

    Stephen Lue

    Stephen Lue's practice encompasses both public and private law work. He regularly handles cases of a highly sensitive nature, including those involving serious allegations of non-accidental injuries, and sexual abuse. He frequently acts on behalf of parents, guardians and interveners against local authorities in care proceedings. Lue is capable of handling cases with international elements attached to them.

    • Stephen has the ability to empathise with his clients so that they fully trust him. His preparation of cases is extremely thorough and his advocacy is supreme. He has great strategic awareness also.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Stephen is an exceptional advocate. He has faultless client care skills and is a pleasure to instruct.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • His razor-sharp focus allows him to identify the key issues efficiently and he is astute in formulating case strategies that best serve his clients’ interests.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Stephen will go the extra mile for his clients and is so helpful in his advice to solicitors.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Stephen’s written work is of the highest calibre, consistently reflecting meticulous attention to detail, clarity and precision.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
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  • Maggie Jones
    Maggie Jones

    Maggie Jones

    Maggie Jones is known for her representation of parents in complex public care proceedings as well as her skill in acting for vulnerable parties, including children. She engages in cases relating to post-adoption contact and immigration, and has further expertise in cases involving an international angle.

    • Maggie has always been a very thorough, hard-working person who does complex cases.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
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  • Amanda Meusz
    Amanda Meusz

    Amanda Meusz

    Amanda Meusz is an incredibly well-respected barrister who specialises in children law work. Meusz has vast knowledge of matters including non-accidental injury, abuse and fabricated illness, among many others. She has appeared at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court.

    • Amanda Meusz's attention to detail is inspiring. She is a clear and tenacious advocate, who champions the needs of clients.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • She is extremely professional and highly skilled. Her submissions are amazing - no detail is ever missed - and her client care is remarkable.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • Amanda is exceptional in her field. She is an asset to any case and will always give it her all. Her astute knowledge of law and her handling of vulnerable clients are outstanding.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
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  • James Holmes
    James Holmes

    James Holmes

    James Holmes is a well-respected family law junior with a particular focus on public children law matters. He has acted in matters covering the full range of children law including non-accidental injury and fabricated illness, as well as cases involving FGM. James represents parents, children and local authorities.

    • You know you're in safe hands when you instruct James.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • James is brilliant in court and an excellent advocate. He also really looks at and prepares cases well, such that he has real foresight as regards the way things are likely to go.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • James has excellent case law knowledge.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

    • James is an excellent advocate, who is thorough and well prepared. He has a natural ability to work with the most challenging clients and put them at ease.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at Garden Court Chambers (5)

London (Bar)

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