Practice Areas
I am the Head of the Family Department and specialise the law relating to children, with a particular emphasis on international cases. I am experienced in child abduction, child relocation, child arrangements, adoption, wardship, complex care proceedings involving allegations of non-accidental injury, serious sexual abuse, factitious illness, radicalisation as well as mental health issues. I am regularly instructed in complex private law cases involving allegations of abuse, alienating behaviours and high conflict cases. I have represented my clients at all levels of Court including the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the CJEU. I have been involved in many reported and high-profile cases some of which have changed the face of law in this jurisdiction. I regularly carry out my own advocacy and am well known for my representation of children both in all types of family proceedings, from care proceedings to child abduction.
Professional Memberships
I am a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers; the UK Central Authority’s International Child Abduction Unit Solicitors panel and I sit on Resolution’s International Committee. I have been on the Law Society’s Children Panel for thirty years. I am a member of the Association of Lawyers for children (ALC) and a founding member of CALA (Child Abduction Lawyers Association).
I lecture on the law relating to children and have written articles and submissions on the changing face of family law. Recently I co-authored Resolution's Guide to International Family Law. I also prepared with others guidance for the profession on the impact of Brexit on practice and procedure as it relates to family, and in particular the law relating to children. I have given talks to both Resolution members and to the International Academy of Family Lawyers on the changes to family law in England and Wales.
