Family: Children

Gemma Taylor KC is renowned for handling serious public law cases relating to severe injury and abuse. She exhibits strength representing parents and children in matters with complex medical evidence. Taylor has experience in cases that overlap with Human Rights Act claims.

"Gemma Taylor is ahead of the pack when it comes to handling vulnerable witnesses. Her cross-examination is concise and no nonsense, and she always has the ear of the court."

"Gemma is excellent. She is clear thinking, calm, approachable and always perfectly prepared."

"A highly intelligent and skilled barrister."

Katie Phillips exhibits expertise in family cases concerning vulnerable children in complex care proceedings. Her experience encompasses a range of issues from child death and sexual assault to international adoption. She acts for all parties and specialises in non-accidental injury matters.

"Katie Phillips is a remarkable junior, who has a brilliant manner with all kinds of clients, including the most challenging. She is able to bring calm to any situation with ease."

"Katie is very professional and has excellent client care. Her ability to advise and advocate on complex matters is brilliant."

"A strong advocate, with a very sensible approach. She is always in great demand."

Tina Cook KC is a well-regarded children practitioner who is known for her expertise in public law care work. Her practice consists of cases involving sensitive issues such as fictitious illness and sexual abuse. She is also at home dealing with cases involving complex genetic disorders. Cook represents local authorities, children and parents.

"Watching her cross-examine is a masterclass. She really brings people along with her and makes them come round to her way of thinking."

"She takes a very sensible approach to cases, and always focuses on the children and clients."

"Tina is excellent. She's responsive, on top of her work and very knowledgeable. She is also pragmatic and willing to go the extra mile to help."

Jonathan Bennett acts on behalf of all parties in care proceedings and specialises in non-accidental injury cases with complex forensic evidence. He is also proficient in private and public law cases involving matters of serious abuse and neglect. He often appears before the Court of Appeal and is noted for the strength of his advocacy.

"Jonathan is a strong and robust advocate."

Damian Woodward-Carlton KC represents an array of clients at the Family Bar in medical cases spanning non-accidental injuries, fabricated and induced illnesses and domestic abuse cases.

"An excellent KC who has a great manner with clients and a real eye for detail."

"Damian is a lawyer of understated brilliance, who is completely unflappable when everything around him is falling apart."

"Damian was both brilliant and down to earth. His input and advice made my complex case seem very simple."

Philip McCormack is a public law specialist with experience in civil and criminal proceedings. He mainly represents children in complex proceedings across a range of matters including those relating to infant death and abuse. McCormack represents all parties to proceedings, including children.

"An excellent barrister with strong advocacy and client care skills."

"Philip is great with clients and very dedicated. He makes sure he has done all the groundwork, something which is the key to the preparation of a good case."

"He has a nice, calm, underrated advocacy style."

Sharan Bhachu is noted for her experience in welfare hearings, and represents a wide variety of clients including parents, local authorities and children's guardians. Her expertise covers a broad array of matters including cases involving transgender and cultural issues.

"Sharan is very responsive, on top of her work and highly knowledgeable. She is also pragmatic and willing to go the extra mile to help."

"Her clarity of insight into a case is always valued."

"An impressive advocate who was very articulate. She knew the case inside-out."