Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(01707) 329 333About
Provided by Crane & Staples
Department Overview
The Public Law Care Team at Crane & Staples have an excellent reputation for handling the most challenging and complex childcare cases in a professional, empathetic yet firm manner.
The department is headed by Senior Associate Solicitor Sian Churchill. Other solicitors include Senior Associate Janet Martland, and Associate Lilas Kayani.
The team are committed to helping parties reach agreement without the need for contested hearings, where possible. However, if court proceedings are issued, the team have the skills to undertake their own advocacy in care matters, at all levels up to final hearing. They also have an excellent network of reputable barristers to instruct where required. High-level cases often involve the instruction of Silk and renowned medical experts.
Types of Work
Public Law matters at Crane & Staples include complex care cases, often involving:
- Abuse (including sexual abuse)
- Non-accidental injury
- Fabricated or induced illness
- Neglect
- Drug/Alcohol addiction
- Mental health
- Deprivation of Liberty
- Secure Accommodation
- Matters with a criminal crossover
Accreditations
The firm has been Lexcel accredited for 18 years. This is the quality mark of the Law Society.
Everyone in the Family team is a member of Resolution.
Each team member also has individual accreditations, including: Resolution Accredited Specialist, Law Society Children's Panel, Family Law and Family Law (Advanced).
Chambers Review
Crane & Staples provides a range of family law services from its base in Welwyn Garden City, including significant public law expertise. The team primarily represents parents and other adult family members in care proceedings arising from allegations of abuse, neglect and non-accidental injury, as well as representing young people in cases concerning deprivation of liberty.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team works extremely well together across various experience levels and their approach to cases is often one of collaboration, drawing on different strengths within the team."
"They are an intelligent, highly motivated team of lawyers who offer sound, realistic advice to their clients and leave no stone unturned in trying to achieve the best possible outcome."
"It's a fabulous team, I am very happy I chose them to represent me and I cannot give them enough applause."
"The team works extremely well together across various experience levels and their approach to cases is often one of collaboration, drawing on different strengths within the team."
"They are an intelligent, highly motivated team of lawyers who offer sound, realistic advice to their clients and leave no stone unturned in trying to achieve the best possible outcome."
"It's a fabulous team, I am very happy I chose them to represent me and I cannot give them enough applause."
Notable Practitioners
Sian Churchill is a senior associate at Crane & Staples and is head of the public law care team. She is recognised for her expertise representing parents and other family members in very complex cases involving such issues as sexual abuse, drug misuse and neglect.
"Sian has knowledge and experience well beyond her years and she goes the extra mile for her clients."
"Sian is absolutely fantastic. She has a real empathy with her clients, an eye for detail and is creative in her thinking."
"Her knowledge of the law is impeccable and she has a knack for anticipating any curveball in a case and ensures she is always ready to deal with them."
"Sian has a huge amount of experience and cares hugely about her clients. She has very good judgement and gives very sensible legal advice in a very thorough way."
Ranked Lawyers at
Crane & Staples
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Provided by Crane & Staples