Sian Churchill

Practice Areas

Specialist in Children Law and Domestic Abuse matters including:

- Representing parents, grandparents and other family members in care proceedings in cases involving allegations of non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, drug and alcohol misuse, neglect, mental health concerns, and lack of capacity, amongst others.

- Representing parents in contesting adoption applications.

- Representing prospective adopters in contested adoption applications.

- Representing parents in private law Children Act proceedings, including Child Arrangements Orders (previously contact and residence), Prohibited Steps Orders, Specific Issue Orders and Wardship.

- Assisting victims of domestic abuse and representing them in obtaining a Non-Molestation Order to protect them.

Career

Qualified 2014; joined Crane & Staples in 2019; Senior Associate and Head of the Public Law Care team 2022.

Professional Memberships

Resolution Accredited Specialist in Private Law and Public Law Children Act matters.

Resolution Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee - Disabled Lawyers subcommitee.

The Law Society's Disabled Solicitors Network

Hertfordshire Law Society

Work Highlights

- Father v Mother & Anor [2024] EWHC 2578 (Fam) (02 August 2024)

- H-W (Care Proceedings: Further Fact-Finding Hearing)

- H-W (Children) (No 2) [2022] UKSC 17 On appeal from: [2021] EWCA Civ 1451.

- H-W (Children: Proportionality) [2021] EWCA Civ 1451 (07 October 2021)

- S (A Child: Adequacy of Reasoning), Re [2019] EWCA Civ 1845 (31 October 2019)

- EY (Fact-Finding Hearing) [2023] EWCA Civ 1241 (27 October 2023)

- UDTQ, Re (No Adequate Care Planning) [2024] EWFC 19 (31 January 2024)

- U, Re (A Child: Deprivation of Liberty) [2024] EWHC 228 (Fam) (02 February 2024)

Awards