Private Law Children and Domestic Abuse

St Philips has a long-standing reputation as an outstanding set in private law children work and domestic abuse.

Our barristers advise and represent clients across the full range of private law disputes, including international child abduction, leave to remove from the jurisdiction, disputes concerning education, religious upbringing and medical treatment, LGBTQ+ parenting, intractable contact disputes, cases involving serious allegations of mistreatment or false allegations, non-molestation and occupation orders, and injunctive relief for the protection of personal property.

At every level

We appear regularly at all levels of court, from the Family Procedure Court and County Court through to the High Court and appellate courts. We are instructed by parents and by Cafcass, and remain committed to the excellent representation of parents and children regardless of funding constraints.

Working with you

St Philips Family is known for the close, co-operative way our barristers and clerks work alongside instructing solicitors and their clients. We are committed to delivering a responsive, high-quality service at every stage of proceedings.

Shaping the law

Members of the team have appeared in significant reported cases that have shaped the current law on private law children proceedings. Our barristers contribute regularly to legal journals and major publications in the field.

Judicial experience

The team includes a Deputy High Court Judge, Recorders, Deputy District Judges and a Deputy Assistant Coroner.

Our Private Law Children and Domestic Abuse Barristers:

Please get in touch with our dedicated family clerking team with any questions regarding our service and expertise.

Mark Mansell, Anthony Burgess, Kelly Fullwood, Sarah Doyle and Ellie Hogan-Evans.

family@st-philips.com +44 (0)121 246 1600
Contact Us

News News

RELATED RELATED

News News

RELATED RELATED

News News

RELATED RELATED

News News

RELATED RELATED

Lauren Starmer
Family
15/04/2026

Finalising at IRH: robust resolution or forfeited fairness? A reflection...

Introduction In his judgment of Re S-W (children) [2015] EWCA Civ 27, Sir James Munby quoted the age-old maxim that ‘justice delayed is justice denied’ but went on to make...

Care Conference 2026 - Save the Date
Events
15/04/2026

Public Law Proceedings in the Age of Tech & AI: Care...

We are delighted to announce further details concerning our upcoming Annual Care Conference – Public Law Proceedings in the Age of Tech & AI. A full-day programme featuring external speakers and Barristers...

Hannah Jarvis
Family
01/04/2026

Standard of Living and Financial Needs: Invasion of Non-Matrimonial Assets...

Pupil barrister Hannah Jarvis explores how the courts approach financial needs in short marriages, focusing on when non-matrimonial assets may be brought into play. Distribution of Assets The objective of...

William Horwood & Lauren Starmer
Family
20/03/2026

Court of Appeal Hands Down Judgment in Re J, Re...

The Court of Appeal has today handed down judgment in Re J, Re M, Re P (Loss of Parental Responsibility) [2026] EWCA Civ 344, three conjoined appeals dealing with legal parentage. The...

Care Conference 2026 - Save the Date
Family
12/03/2026

Care Conference: Public Law Proceedings in the Age of Tech...

We are delighted to confirm that our Annual Child Care Conference will be returning on Friday, 12th June 2026 at the Library of Birmingham. Following last year’s success, we are...

Katie Stephens
Family
18/02/2026

Personal Conduct in Financial Remedy Proceedings: What Cusworth J’s Recent...

Katie Stephens has had an article “Personal Conduct in Financial Remedy Proceedings: What Cusworth J’s Recent Decisions Tell Us” published by Financial Remedies Journal. In the article, Katie discusses two...

Family
05/02/2026

Anna Peaston to Return to Chambers following Maternity Leave

We are delighted to inform you that Anna Peaston will return to the St Philips Family Team on Monday 16th February 2026 following her Maternity Leave. Anna is a specialist family...

St. Philips Chambers
Family
26/01/2026

Vacancy: Senior Family Clerk

We are recruiting for a senior leader, responsible for the strategic direction, commercial performance, and long-term development of Chambers’ Family Practice. Working closely with the Chief Executive and Director of Clerking,...

William Horwood & Lauren Starmer
Family
21/11/2025

William Horwood and Lauren Starmer to appear in landmark appeal

The Court of Appeal will next week hear three conjoined appeals dealing with legal parentage. The court will consider the impact of a declaration of non-parentage in the case of...

Sara Lewis KC & Carolyn Jones
Family
17/11/2025

Sara Lewis KC & Carolyn Jones Appeared for 1st Respondent...

Sara Lewis KC and Carolyn Jones appeared for the first respondent in Re N (A Child) (Death of Sibling) [2025] EWFC 325. The case concerned care proceedings brought by a...