Public Children: Shaping New Law into Solution-Focused Advice for your Clients

Allegations

How do you deal with allegations made by children if (1) there is no supporting evidence or (2) the allegation is not repeated (made previously to a teacher or foster carer)?

Answered by: Tina Cook QC of 42BR

Tina is "a leading light, incredibly astute: a real star who is utterly dedicated to her cases". She is highly experienced in handling cases involving non-accidental and fatal injury.

Care orders

How do you show that all efforts have been made to support birth parents before removing a child or children?

How to incorporate the views of birth parents in the application?

Answered by: Andrew Bagchi QC of 1GC

Andrew is an "outstanding children silk with a fantastic ability to analyse parents' motives and behaviour." He routinely appears in highly sensitive and challenging cases.

Coercive control

Drawing on live cases involving children and vulnerable witnesses, how do you deal with coercive control, domestic violence and honour-based violence as part of a fact-finding hearing?

Answered by: Susan Grocott QC of Deans Court Chambers

Susan is "a fabulous advocate and leader" and "rapidly distils complex information to the essential arguments." She sits as a Deputy High Court Judge.

Contact

In light of the Nuffield research on the importance of sibling relationships, what is a reasonable level of contact between siblings?

How far can you push the court?

Answered by: Elizabeth Isaacs QC of St Ives Chambers

Elizabeth is "a titan for children's work." "A QC of choice for cases which challenge the law." She radiates creative energy and sits as a Deputy High Court Judge.

ABE interviews

Supported by caselaw and real-life examples, how do you go about evaluating and challenging ABE interviews?

Answered by: Julia Cheetham QC of Deans Court Chambers

Julia appeared in two leading cases on challenging ABE interviews: Re P [2019] EWFC and AA and 25 Others (Children) [2019] EWFC. "She is an exceptional advocate and a pleasure to work with."

Findings

Is there a shift in the wind over the summary dismissal of findings and the discharge of intervenors?

How can you expect the judges to react?

Answered by: Damian Woodward-Carlton QC of 42BR

Damian is "an exceptional advocate - incredibly robust and persuasive." Recent cases include allegations of supporting terrorism and family members travelling to Syria.

DoL Orders

What are the unresolved issues - both legal and practical - over deprivation of liberty orders for children of all ages; their use, impact and the provision of secure accommodation?

Answered by: Sarah Phillimore of St Johns Chambers

Sarah continues to impress with her stellar public children law practice. "She has phenomenal judgement and an unerring instinct for what the courts might do."

Adoption

Is there any clarity on the involvement of adoptive parents in the applications and courts process?

Whose application is it and what is required to persuade the court to dispense with parental consent?

Answered by: Penny Howe QC of Pump Court Chambers

Penny is "quite simply one of the most impressive practitioners in this field." "Superb, assiduous and persuasive; experienced in all aspects of public children law."