Public Law Care and Adoption

St Philips has a long-standing reputation as an outstanding set in public law children work.

Our barristers handle cases of the utmost gravity, including child death, serious non-accidental injury, fabricated or induced illness, serial neglect, applications under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court concerning life-sustaining medical treatment, restraint of publicity, and wardship.

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

Who we act for

We are regularly instructed by parents, local authorities and Cafcass throughout the country. We also have considerable experience acting for intervenors, extended family members, foster parents, step-parents and the Official Solicitor.

At every level

Our barristers appear at all levels of court, from the Family Procedure Court and County Court through to the High Court and appellate courts. Members of the team have appeared in significant reported cases that have shaped the current law on care proceedings, and contribute regularly to legal journals and major publications in the field.

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 an excellent, responsive service at every stage.

Judicial experience and training

The team includes a Deputy High Court Judge, Recorders, Deputy District Judges and a Deputy Assistant Coroner. We are also actively involved in training social workers, medical experts and other practitioners including a widely attended PLO roadshow delivered across the Midlands with the support of Designated Family Judges in Coventry, Worcester, Derby, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Telford, Wolverhampton and Stoke-on-Trent.