Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Family: Children - London (Bar)

5
Band 5

What the Team is Known For

A set with substantial strength in public and private children law matters, and the further capability to handle financial proceedings. The 35-plus family barristers here are well versed in highly sensitive matters involving non-accidental injury, child death, sexual abuse, FGM, fictitious illness and child trafficking. They are also equipped to handle TOLATA, Schedule 1 and parental alienation cases. Clients include highly vulnerable individuals, as well as parents, guardians and local authorities. Commentators say: "New Court Chambers has a wide range of barristers available at all levels of experience, who provide a good level of service." Another adds: "The barristers at New Court Chambers distinguish themselves from others due to their hands-on handling of cases."

Paul Bloomfield is the senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Christopher Poole
1
Christopher Poole
1
Band 1

Christopher Poole handles the whole spectrum of children-related issues, from non-accidental injury to abuse, medical treatment and forced marriage cases. Poole is joint head of chambers and is commended for his work on behalf of local authorities in serious matters. In addition, he has handled matters concerning sensitive cultural and religious differences.

A silk level junior, who is extremely capable. He has a very good manner with the clients and is easy to work with.

It is always a joy to work with Chris. He is incredibly responsive and able to provide an exceptional level of support to his instructing solicitor.

He manages to combine being relatable to the client with being able to manage the difficult personalities that sometimes present in care proceedings.

Andrew Shaw
2
Andrew Shaw
2
Band 2

Andrew Shaw is noted for his expert representation of parents, children and local authorities in a wide range of public and private law children cases. He is highly experienced in handling matters involving complex medical and psychological evidence, and is regularly instructed in non-accidental injury cases.

A robust and reliable advocate.

Andrew is a very strategic barrister, whose preparation is first class and whose cross-examination is fantastic. He is a brilliant barrister to have in your corner.

Andrew Shaw is a phenomenal barrister. He rolls up his sleeves and gets stuck into the most challenging and complex of cases.

Andrew is a tenacious barrister who adopts innovative approaches to problem-solving within care proceedings. He adds value to any proceedings that he is involved with.

Andrew is a steady pair of hands. It is very easy to work alongside him.

Giles Bain
2
Giles Bain
2
Band 2

Giles Bain, the co-head of chambers, focuses on complex public law children cases, representing parents, children and local authorities. His practice sees him engaged in serious matters, including those relating to sexual abuse and non-accidental injury.

Giles is a skilled advocate who is highly experienced in all areas. I really enjoy working with him.

Giles Bain is incredibly competent and incredibly calm.

Giles is an incredibly competent senior barrister who is an absolute pleasure to work with.

Sam Wallace
2
Sam Wallace
2
Band 2

Sam Wallace is an experienced junior noted for his expert handling of complex children law cases involving serious non-accidental injuries. He is regularly instructed in matters concerning forced marriage, FGM, child death, fictitious illness and allegations of abuse. His varied client list includes children, parents and local authorities.

Sam displays a good mastery of papers and always offers good client care.

Clients feels very confident with Sam and are confident that their case has been put to the court with great effect. He has a great understanding of the law and is an excellent advocate.

Sam Wallace is a strong advocate who is extremely personable. He builds excellent rapport with all involved in a case.

Jemimah Hendrick
3
Jemimah Hendrick
3
Band 3

A former High Court judge’s clerk to two judges in the Family Division, Jemimah Hendrick is a practitioner who handles public and private law children proceedings. She appears for local authorities, parents and children's guardians.

Jemimah is well equipped to deal with vulnerable clients in cases of the highest complexity. She's very good at handling people, excellent with clients and someone with a wonderful manner.

She is an excellent advocate who is not afraid of making her points to the court even when opposed by all the other advocates in the case.

Jemimah Hendrick is a formidable barrister. Her advocacy is excellent and her written skills impressive.

Jemimah is a thorough and tenacious barrister who is years beyond her call in terms of skill. She commands any courtroom that she is in with her precise and considered opinions.

She provides a high level of service and is always available when you need some guidance. She is an excellent advocate and her knowledge of the law is brilliant.

Kyri Lefteri
3
Kyri Lefteri
3
Band 3

Kyri Lefteri is a specialist children lawyer who appears at all levels of tribunal up to the Court of Appeal. He represents local authorities, parents, guardians, children and other family members, and further handles private law and abduction proceedings, some of which are international in scope.

Kyri is a fine barrister and great to work with. He will always ensure the client's needs are met and he is a skilled advocate too.

Kyri displays excellent client rapport and is a skilled and persuasive advocate.

A tenacious advocate, who will go above and beyond to troubleshoot cases.

A very effective advocate, who is also very pleasant with it. Kyri is just very hardworking and someone who knows his stuff. In and out of court. he's fair and never unnecessarily confrontational.

3
Saiqa Chaudhry
3
Band 3

Saiqa Chaudhry acts for local authorities, parents and children in public and private law matters. She is an expert in care proceedings, many of which involve complex medical issues, and regularly handles matters concerning accidental injury and cases of factitious illness. She also sits as a Deputy District Judge on the Midlands Circuit for civil and family law cases.

Great to work with, she has excellent strategic awareness, and her case preparation is superb.

Saiqa Chaudhry is very organised and very able. She knows the boundaries and goes about everything very efficiently.

Saiqa is careful in her preparation, good at reading a case and excellent at understanding some of the complexities that aren't immediately obvious. She has a degree of insight not everybody has.

3
Sarah McMeechan
3
Band 3

Sarah McMeechan handles both public and private law children work, acting for local authorities, parents, children, family members and intervening parties. She regularly undertakes cases involving complex contact disputes, forced marriage, deprivation of liberty and injuries to children.

Sarah McMeechan has a good manner with clients.

She is reliable and always ready to argue the case.

Sarah is a fantastic advocate, who remains calm and achieves her objectives on each occasion.

3
Sarah Nuttall
3
Band 3

Sarah Nuttall undertakes complex public law cases concerning allegations of sexual abuse, non-accidental injury, and factitious illness. She regularly handles matters involving highly vulnerable parties and cases with an international element.

Sarah Nuttall has forensic knowledge of her cases and argues strongly for her clients. Her presentation, both written and oral, is excellent and she is a great barrister in public law cases.

She combines deep empathy with a remarkable ability to simplify complex legal concepts, ensuring her clients fully understand their positions and options.

Sarah is a great advocate and also a very skilled lawyer. Her attention to detail and analysis of the law and evidence are amazing - she will leave no stone unturned when dealing with cases.

4
Laura Harrington
4
Band 4

Laura Harrington is a well-respected advocate with experience of handling some of the most sensitive types of public children work. She regularly appears in proceedings involving non-accidental injuries and sexual abuse. She has advocated in the High Court and frequently acts on behalf of local authorities, as well as guardians and parents.

Laura goes above and beyond to achieve the best possible outcome. She's approachable and provides clear and practical advice.

Laura is a good advocate who is great to work with - she approaches all her cases with sympathy and skill. Clients like her.

Laura is an effective advocate who deals with complex matters in court effectively and works well with the clients.

4
Philippa Jenkins
4
Band 4

Philippa Jenkins is an expert in public law children work who routinely appears on behalf of local authorities, guardians and children in the Family Court at all levels. She often acts on behalf of vulnerable clients in non-accidental injury cases among other sensitive matters. Jenkins also appears in private children proceedings.

An experienced and robust advocate.

A calm presence in a case, who quietly gets the job done in an effective fashion. She has a very good eye for detail.

Philippa is friendly, approachable and so full of knowledge. She is great with lay clients and approaches each matter with the same dedication.

Robert Wilkinson
4
Robert Wilkinson
4
Band 4

Robert Wilkinson is a well regarded public law specialist. He is regularly called upon to handle cases involving serious allegations of abuse. He acts for a range of clients but has a particular focus representing children.

Robert is reliable, hard-working and good with clients in vulnerable situations.

Rob Wilkinson is an excellent advocate, who takes time to fully understand the issues in order to provide the client with the best possible representation.

Rob has an ability to identify issues swiftly and offer solutions. Clients ask for him by name, as he is skilled and has a great, personable character. He always provides timely feedback and advice.

Sally Jackson
4
Sally Jackson
4
Band 4

Sally Jackson covers the full range of family cases, from complex children proceedings to high-value divorce disputes. She often acts in disputes involving non-disclosure and complex business structures. Jackson also frequently handles such financial issues as Schedule 1 and TOLATA applications.

An exceptionally effective operator, whose preparation is excellent. She's great in conference with clients of all types. Her judgement of cases and the best approach to take is always spot on.

4
Sam Prout
4
Band 4

Sam Prout is a committed junior with appellate experience, who regularly acts for both local authorities and parents in care and child arrangement proceedings. He has good experience of handling non-accidental injury cases.

A self-effacing man who excels at what he does and is a pleasure to be against. He's a really big asset to the Family Bar.

Sam is a real gentleman, who quickly forges excellent relationships with clients, showing sensitivity to them and an understanding of their situations. He always provides sensible, pragmatic advice.

Ranked Barristers at
New Court Chambers

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Filter by
Band

Juniors

London (Bar)

Family: Children

Christopher Poole
1
Christopher Poole
1
Band 1
Andrew Shaw
2
Andrew Shaw
2
Band 2
Giles Bain
2
Giles Bain
2
Band 2
Sam Wallace
2
Sam Wallace
2
Band 2
Jemimah Hendrick
3
Jemimah Hendrick
3
Band 3
Kyri Lefteri
3
Kyri Lefteri
3
Band 3
3
Saiqa Chaudhry
3
Band 3
3
Sarah McMeechan
3
Band 3
3
Sarah Nuttall
3
Band 3
4
Laura Harrington
4
Band 4
4
Philippa Jenkins
4
Band 4
Robert Wilkinson
4
Robert Wilkinson
4
Band 4
4
Sam Prout
4
Band 4
Family: Matrimonial Finance

Sally Jackson
4
Sally Jackson
4
Band 4