Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Family: Children - North Eastern (Bar)
What the Team is Known For
Parklane Plowden acts for a range of clients, including local authorities, parents and guardians, in a variety of children law proceedings. The cases undertaken by the barristers often involve serious abuse and injuries, as well as complex issues such as international abduction, relocations and parental neglect. The set is a first port of call for instructing solicitors handling care proceedings. The set also possesses impressive strength in financial remedy cases, and the barristers are equipped to handle cohabitation disputes and cases involving complex assets. Market commentators note that Parklane Plowden houses "a great range of advocates with the ability to handle the most complex of matters."
Stephen Render is the senior practice director.
Strengths
Parklane Plowden has a clerking team who are a joy to work with.
The clerks are always speedy in their responses.
Notable practitioners
Clare Garnham undertakes advocacy in a range of family-related public law cases. She predominantly acts for local authorities, as well as parents, on child protection matters relating to serious matters such as abuse, injury and neglect. She is also noted for her ability to handle international issues.
Clare Garnham is an experienced advocate who is great with clients.
Louise McCallum is a highly regarded family law specialist with extensive experience of children matters, especially those involving highly complex medical evidence. She is widely respected for her prowess in handling sexual abuse, child fatality and illnesses cases, and acts on behalf of children and local authorities across various courts, including the High Court.
She is thorough, considered and a strong advocate both in writing and on her feet.
Sara Anning has considerable experience representing children, parents and local authorities in highly complex children cases. She is recognised for her ability to handle the full breadth of children law, including adoptions, serious abuse allegations and fabricated illness cases.
She has attention to detail, fantastic cross examination and her client care is second to none.
Alex Taylor is a children law specialist with a strong reputation for handling complex cases. He is instructed by local authorities, as well as parents and on behalf of children, and is regularly called on to assist with injury and abuse matters, as well as foster and adoption-related cases.
He is very good at seeing the wood for the trees and thinking outside the box.
Iain Hutchinson is a child law specialist who acts for local authorities, parents and children on serious cases regarding issues such as sexual abuse, serious injury, induced illness and care proceedings.
He is strong, careful and certainly a sensible barrister who will fight his corner hard.
Julia Nelson is well versed in handling a broad spectrum of family law matters, with particular expertise in children cases. She advises on internal relocations and residence disputes, as well as other highly contentious children issues. She also has experience in financial provision cases.
Julia Nelson is a very experienced, gutsy counsel who is prepared to provide around the clock support and advice on a case.
Simon Wilkinson is well regarded for public children work involving serious allegations of abuse and complexities around evidence. He is particularly noted for representing local authorities in cases concerning sexual abuse, serious injuries and induced illness. He has experience acting in the High Court and Court of Appeal.
He is clearly respected by the court and other advocates and demonstrates confidently and persuasively to the court.
Simon Wilkinson remains calm under pressure.
Maxine Best has a solid reputation as an expert in children law matters. She regularly acts for children, parents and local authorities on a variety of issues, ranging from serious physical and emotional abuse allegations to child neglect.
Maxine Best is very good.
Nathaniel Garner is a highly respected children law specialist with experience handling public and private law cases. He has particular experience of representing vulnerable clients.
Nathaniel is an excellent advocate.