Family: Children

Mark Twomey KC tackles a wide range of family law areas. He handles both public and private children law work including care and adoption issues, and is also an expert in matters with parallel criminal aspects. He is well respected for his sensitive representation of vulnerable clients.

"One of the best children lawyers in the world, he's a very clever person who looks at the big picture. He knows the law backwards and is very good with clients."

"Mark Twomey is an exceptional barrister. He's extremely intelligent and highly analytical, but also friendly and approachable."

"Mark gets to the heart of the issue and is an extremely relaxed and persuasive advocate in court. He is fearless and right at the top of the tree."

Martha Cover is a widely respected and highly experienced practitioner who has a reputation as a specialist in complex children law matters. She covers a wide range of sensitive matters including cases concerning serious injury and death. Cover has particular expertise in cases concerning wrongful adoption.

"Martha is approachable, great with judges and clients alike, and very astute."

"Her seniority and experience means she can hold her own with anyone."

"She has a distinguished track record of working tirelessly for her clients, and is someone who brings great expertise, knowledge, charm and humour to her cases."

Victoria Roberts is a children barrister with valued expertise in matters involving a deprivation of liberty and immigration crossover. She is further highlighted for her abilities on international cases and Section 31 proceedings. Her experience also extends to fabricated illness and non-accidental injury cases.

"No matter whom she is representing you know she will be masterful in everything she does. You breathe a sigh of relief if she is in court as you know she will do a superb job."

"She is always well prepared and clear on what her position is."

"Hard-working and amazingly well prepared, she leaves no stone unturned and goes over and above in the client's cause."

Alex Laing is a family junior who has experience of appearing before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in children law cases. He assists vulnerable clients with sensitive cases, some of which involve ECHR regulation. He is also experienced in financial remedy proceedings.

"Alex is, without doubt, a formidable barrister, who is extremely skilled in advocacy. He has exceptional legal knowledge."

"His knowledge of black letter law is stunning for someone who is still relatively junior. His paperwork can win cases before they've even really begun and his advocacy is deadly."

"Alex's innate ability to connect with vulnerable clients through kindness and understanding is truly remarkable."

Alison Easton is a well-respected advocate who represents parents, local authorities and guardians in public care proceedings. Her cases often involve sensitive issues such as state-enforced adoption, and allegations of induced illness and non-accidental injury. She garners market praise for her representation of vulnerable clients.

"Alison is robust yet supremely professional. Forensically brilliant, she has other advocates and judges eating out of her hand. A real delight to work with."

"An excellent advocate who knows how to pitch an argument. She invariably looks at the bigger picture and concentrates on how to secure the best possible outcome for her client."

"Alison Easton is a very impressive advocate, both in terms of her written and oral advocacy. She is forward-thinking and gets great results for her clients."

Anna Walsh is a barrister of ten years' standing who had extensive experience as a solicitor before coming to the Bar. She specialises in both public and private law family cases including parental alienation and non-accidental injury matters.

"Anna is one of the safest pairs of hands in the courtroom."

"She has a fantastic rapport with clients and is experienced and practical."

"A very good advocate who thinks on her feet. She has a lovely firm manner in court and is very focused."

Christopher Archer specialises in public law children work and is frequently instructed in cases of unusual sensitivity or those that require the representation of vulnerable clients. He regularly acts for local authorities, parents and children, and has particular expertise in cases concerning parental homicide, non-accidental injury and significant sexual abuse.

"Chris is an excellent advocate, who can be relied upon to handle the most complex of cases."

"When you instruct him you can have confidence that your client's needs will be met."

"A very organised and highly knowledgeable barrister, who is prompt in the provision of his advice."

Dermot Casey acts on behalf of all parties in public law children proceedings, and also handles judicial reviews. He has appeared in cases involving serious allegations of domestic abuse and non-accidental injury. Casey worked as a social worker before being called to the Bar in 1994.

"Dermot scrutinises the evidence and presents cogent arguments to the court. When instructing him one feels confident that no stone will be left unturned."

"Dermot is a go-to for complex lengthy cases. He is authoritative, well prepared and calm in his approach."

"Dermot's considered, clear approach is invaluable, particularly if tricky points of law have to be explored."

Greg Williams focuses his practice on the handling of highly contentious matrimonial finance litigation. He appears in cases whose points of contention include loan repayments, TOLATA, Schedule 1 applications and property assets. He has significant experience of representing unmarried clients in cohabitation disputes.

"Greg has such an in-depth knowledge of case law and is a master at adapting the relevant case law to a client's circumstances."

"Greg has a calm manner and is incredibly respectful of the client and the court. He's very nice to work with"

"A formidable expert in TOLATA matters and someone not afraid to give robust and sensible advice."

Judith Pepper has experience in all areas of private law family work, but is best known for tackling public law cases representing local authorities, parents and guardians, children, and intervenors. She is often instructed in complex care proceedings involving non-accidental injury, sexual abuse allegations, serious domestic violence, and placement outside the jurisdiction. Pepper also undertakes cases involving vulnerable adults and forced marriage.

"Her cross-examination of witnesses is excellent. She gets to the heart of the issue quickly and is able to ask difficult questions."

"She's very thorough and deals really well with complex police evidence. She always has the ear of the judge."

"Judith doesn't miss a trick and doesn't get intimidated - she fights her corner and won't be put off. A barrister with a very clear head, she sees the entire picture when handling cases."

Kate Hudson specialises in public law children’s work, representing the full gamut of clients including local authorities, parents, children themselves or interveners. She has additional expertise in matters with parallel criminal proceedings.

"Kate is a superb advocate, who is brilliant on her feet and produces documents to a high standard. She can hold her own against silks without any difficulty."

"She goes above and beyond for the clients she represents."

"Kate has a wealth of experience and takes even complicated cases very much in her stride."

Michael Horton KC is a highly praised family law barrister who is respected for his TOLATA and financial remedy expertise. His practice also encompasses complicated matters involving jurisdiction issues. He also represents clients in enforcement order disputes and postnuptial agreements.

"A walking encyclopaedia of financial and TOLATA knowledge. He goes above and beyond for his clients and his submissions are always flawless."

"Mike is always a delight to work with, and adds novel and insightful angles to many a legal argument."

"He is always thoroughly prepared and his case strategy and negotiation tactics are always on-point."

"He is at the top of his game whether at first instance or in the higher courts."

Shiva Ancliffe KC is an experienced barrister who specialises in care proceedings involving non-accidental injury cases, and who has experience of being instructed by the Official Solicitor on behalf of vulnerable parents. She is an expert in child abduction, child exploitation and adoption issues.

"An excellent KC, who is very skilled and knowledgeable."

"Clients really like her as she has an empathetic nature few others can match."

"A barrister with a lot of emotional intelligence, she manages to draw out confessions and admittance of abuse in the most elegant way."

Anarkali Musgrave is a barrister with a recognised children practice who is noted for her representation of vulnerable clients. She concentrates her practice on sensitive disputes involving sexual and physical abuse allegations. Musgrave is also skilled in representing clients in parental alienation-related cases.

"A real warrior on Children Act matters and one of the most strategic barristers around."

"She is pragmatic, sophisticated and someone loved by clients."

"She is a powerhouse in the courtroom and tenacious when required."

Anne-Marie Glover handles a vast range of public and private children law work, often featuring cross-border complications. She is frequently instructed to represent parents and children in relocation disputes, adoption matters and placement breakdowns, as well as cases that require scrutiny of large amounts of medical evidence such as non-accidental injuries cases.

"Advocates expertly and knows what points to take. She knows how to achieve the best possible results for her clients."

"She is a really thoughtful advocate, whose views are carefully thought out and precise. She is someone who can bring a calm aura to a hostile set of circumstances."

"She will delve into the papers and look over every point that is worth making, taking into account the perspectives of others in the case."

Matthew Richardson is a family law practitioner rated for his knowledge of domestic and multi-jurisdictional financial remedy disputes. His expertise encompasses historic non-payment cases and contentious matters involving pensions. Richardson is also notable for his TOLATA experience.

"Matthew is a fantastic advocate, who is very well liked by clients - they trust him."

"Matthew imposes a calming effect on clients. They always feel that they have been well listened to and that their best interests are being looked after."

"A go-to when it comes to procedural questions. He is committed to reaching a solution for clients without hostility and unnecessary conflict."

Ramanjit Kang is aprivate and public law childrenpractitioner specialising in the representation of parents,intervenorsand childrenin proceedings involvingserious allegations of harm, complex medical evidence, parental alienatingbehavioursand intractable hostility.She frequently handles cases with multi-jurisdictionaldimensions andhas experience ofappearingbefore the High Courtand Court of Appeal.She also previously practised as afamilysolicitor-advocateafterher call to the Bar in 2007.

"A really impressive advocate, who's quick on her feet and highly persuasive. She's really smart, very tactically aware and someone who gives clients really sound advice."

"A brilliantly skilled advocate. In submissions, she exudes clarity and efficiency, making her points in a powerfully persuasive way. She further ensures clients feel listened to and empathised with."

"She makes her points quietly, but effectively. You want her on your side."

Sarah Branson handles complex cases, some of them multi-jurisdictional in nature, dealing with issues such as serious sexual abuse, non-accidental injury, human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. She has featured in a number of reported cases and has made a number of visits to the Court of Appeal.

"An amazing barrister, who goes the extra mile for clients. She relates to people and makes them feel comfortable."

"A fierce advocate."

"Brilliant in court and ready to take on any challenge."

"She is loved by my clients for her ability to explain things in a way they can understand. She really does go the extra mile for all of them."

Sarah Tyler is regularly instructed in all aspects of private law proceedings including those concerning internal and international relocation and cases under the inherent jurisdiction. She has recently acted in cases concerned with the interplay between the 1951 Geneva Convention on asylum and the 1980 Hague Convention. Other areas of expertise include cases of allegations of domestic abuse, and those relating to parental alienation.

"A fearless and determined advocate, who will fight to the bitter end for her clients. She genuinely cares, and will work tirelessly to ensure no stone is left unturned."

"Sarah is incredibly good on the detail and her cross-examination benefits from this as she is all over the papers - she reads absolutely everything."

"She has a very keen legal mind and goes about things in a practical and realistic way."

Sophie Hill has a mixed matrimonial finance and children law practice. Her practice concerning the latter sees her handling private children proceedings, particularly those involving local authority involvement, vulnerable parents and those with mental health diagnoses.

"Sophie is an outstanding advocate, whose knowledge and technical skills are outstanding. Her client care is exceptional and she always goes above and beyond to satisfy those that instruct her."

"Astute and perceptive with regard to the intricacies and nuances of each case, Sophie calmly and systematically dissects even the most complex of matters."

"Sophie is an excellent lawyer. who has a degree of empathy not every barrister has. She's clever, she knows the law well, she does good paperwork and she reads judges well."

Rachel Cooper has a strong and up-and-coming practice in children and finance law. She is well versed in high-value asset disputes involving properties and those with international elements.

"Rachel grasps the fine detail of each case. She is pragmatic and a very safe pair of hands."

"Rachel Cooper does an amazing job in unusual and difficult cases. She's one of the outstanding individuals in the next generation of family barristers"

Srishti Suresh is a very impressive up-and-coming children law barrister. She is very well versed in private and public law matters involving very sensitive issues such as suspected induced illness, non-accidental injury, forced marriage and child arrangement decisions and education.

"Srishti provides fantastic client care and bedside manner. A true favourite of clients and solicitors alike."

"Srishti shows an ability to deal with detail in quantity and is unflappable."

"Srishti commands the courtroom with her clear and persuasive advocacy. She has no fear tackling nuanced and complex arguments head-on. Through her considered advice, clients feel heard and forearmed."