Public Law Care and Adoption

Overview

"The barristers dealing with Public Law Children Act cases in this set and in the local area are excellent." Legal 500 2023 

We are experts in Public law proceedings. We have a long-standing reputation for being an outstanding set of chambers in this area with years of experience in dealing with complicated public law children cases of the utmost gravity, including cases of child death, serious non-accidental injury, fabricated or induced illness, serial neglect, cases under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court concerning life-sustaining medical treatment for children, restraint of publicity, and wardship.

Our barristers appear regularly in all levels of courts, from appellate courts to the High Court, County Court and the FPC. We are regularly instructed by parents, by CAFCASS, and also by Local Authorities all around the country. In addition, we have considerable experience acting for relatives of those involved in care proceedings, foster parents, step-parents, and the Official Solicitor.

St Philips Family is renowned for how our barristers and clerks work closely and co-operatively with solicitors and clients to ensure an excellent level of service.

Many of our barristers have appeared in significant cases which have helped to shape the current law relating to care proceedings. Our barristers regularly contribute articles to law journals and publications. A number of the team have published major works in the field of family law.

A number of our barristers also sit as part-time members of the judiciary including one Deputy High Court Judge, six Recorders of the County Courts, two Deputy District Judges and a Deputy Assistant Coroner.

Our barristers are regularly involved in offering training to various groups, including Social Workers and medical experts. St Philips Family ran a highly successful roadshow training event throughout the Midlands explaining the complexities of the PLO to other practitioners, with the support of the Designated Family Judges in Coventry, Worcester, Derby, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Telford, Wolverhampton and Stoke on Trent.