Chet Desai

Chet Desai is a highly experienced child care lawyer with over 25 years’ experience representing children, parents, grandparents, and interveners in complex care proceedings. He regularly appears before the Court of Appeal, High Court, County Court, and Magistrates’ Court.

Chet’s practice covers the full spectrum of child protection matters, including neglect, substance misuse, domestic and sexual abuse, non-accidental injury, emotional harm, fabricated or induced illness, and cases involving child sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Renowned for his calm, approachable manner and clear, jargon-free advice, Chet is deeply committed to ensuring that clients feel supported and well-informed throughout every stage of proceedings. As Head of the East Midlands Care Department, he leads a dedicated and growing team recognised for its professionalism, compassion, and expertise.

An accredited member of the Law Society Children Panel since 2005, Chet also holds a Master’s degree in Law and plays an active role in developing junior lawyers through in-house training and mentoring.

Chet has been repeatedly recognised for his excellence in both Chambers UK (Notable Practitioner 2016–2020) and The Legal 500 (Recommended Lawyer 2017–2018).

Notable Cases

A City Council v M & Others [2014] EWHC 3601 (Fam) – Represented grandparents in care proceedings following the death of a baby.

A Local Authority v K & Others [2022] EWHC 2341 (Fam) – Represented a father in complex care proceedings involving child removal at birth, trafficking concerns, and public interest immunity orders.

Re D (A Child) [2018] – Represented a child in a five-day sexual abuse trial involving multiple victims.

A Local Authority v SR, RR & Others [2021] – Represented a teenager in a nationally reported case linked to a gang-related murder, covering secure accommodation, deprivation of liberty, and care order proceedings.

Professional Memberships and Qualifications

Accredited Specialist, Law Society Children Panel (since 2005)

Member, Association of Lawyers for Children

Specialisms

Neglect

Substance and alcohol misuse

Domestic and sexual abuse

Non-accidental injury

Emotional harm

Fabricated and induced illness

Child sexual exploitation and trafficking

Outside of work, Chet enjoys travelling, theatre, dining out, cricket, and is a self-confessed “long-suffering” West Bromwich Albion supporter.