St. Philips Chambers

Bethany Armitage

Beth Armitage

Introduction

Beth accepts instructions in all areas of public law and private law children work (including domestic violence injunctions and occupation orders). During her time at chambers Beth has conducted a range of proceedings from lengthy fact-finding hearings in both public and private law to appeals as well as cases heard in the high court. Beth was shortlisted for Birmingham Young Barrister of the Year in 2024 and was nominated for Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year in 2025.

Prior to commencing her Pupillage Beth taught debating and public speaking classes to students in the UK and Kenya as a mentor in a charitable programme aimed at improving social mobility amongst those from underprivileged backgrounds.

Beth has been actively involved in a range of voluntary organisations for a number of years, she currently mentors for both the Young Legal Aid Lawyers organisation and yearly as part of the national Young Citizens Mock Trial Competition. Beth continues to volunteer and offer pro bono work with Advocate (formerly the Bar Pro Bono Unit) and through various universities.

Published Cases

GO v MM [2024] EWHC 2116 (Fam)

Representing the appellant father in an appeal relating his application for enforcement and change of residence, the background included findings against the mother of fabricating allegations of sexual abuse against the father and implanting false memories of the abuse into the children’s minds. The successful appeal surrounded the circuit judge’s case management decisions to exclude evidence and conclude proceedings without the opportunity for challenge in oral evidence.

Re The E Children [2024] EWFC 250 (B)

Representing the 16.4 appointed children’s guardian in a fact-finding hearing surrounding concerns of domestic abuse and parental alienation.

MacDougall v SW & Ors (sperm donor: parental responsibility or contact) [2022] EWFC 50

Representing two of the respondent mothers in a sperm donor case where the court decided to name the applicant father and make a section 91(14) barring order.

Recent Cases

Public law:

WCC v G (throughout 2025 concluded September) – represented a mother in a multi-day composite fact-find/final hearing surrounding a number of allegations of inflicted injuries and neglect, the hearing involved cross-examination of a number of expert witnesses and lengthy cross-examination of the parents who denied causing any harm.

BCC v U (throughout early 2025) – represented a mother in proceedings concerning a child with long-term disabilities and allegations that the mother had inflicted injuries (fractures) to the child. Challenged the local authority case by way of medical evidence and finalised proceedings with no legal order.

SCC v W (December 2024) – represented a guardian in a 4 day final hearing involving serious concerns of physical abuse against the children and the ordering of a section 26 order coupled with a placement order to enable one of the siblings to be adopted whilst recognising the importance of maintaining the sibling relationship.

SCC v W (September 2023 & January 2024)– represented the vulnerable mother in a multi-day fact-finding hearing involving allegations of honour-based violence and serious domestic and emotional abuse, thereafter representing her in the final hearing.

DCC v S (August 2023) – represented the father in a composite final hearing involving allegations that he had perpetrated non-accidental injuries by shaking his child causing bruising and brain injuries.

SCC v Y (January 2022) – instructed as a junior to senior counsel representing the children’s guardian in a 4-week fact-finding hearing involving allegations of FI and FII.

Private law:

S v K (December 2025) – represented a mother in her application for internal relocation, successfully challenged the Section 7 report and the court allowed her application to relocate to another area of the UK.

A v H (September 2025) – represented a father successfully opposing the mother’s application to relocate to another country outside of the jurisdiction with the child.

L v M (July 2025 onwards) – represented a mother in the fact-find securing findings against the father of controlling and coercive behaviour and findings of parental alienation.

G v B (January 2025 onwards) – represented a 16.4 children’s guardian at a fact-finding hearing involving a high level of conflict between the parents. At the hearing the allegations included stalking, controlling and coercive behaviour, drugs and alcohol misuse and verbally abusive behaviours. The court also made a finding of fabrication of a witness statement by a third party at the outcome of the hearing, the decision of the court thereafter resulting in a Section 37 direction being made and local authority involvement.

K v O (July 2023) – acted for the respondent in non-molestation proceedings, successfully disproved the allegations which resulted in the application being dismissed, findings against the applicant that she had been motivated in making her allegations to secure her immigration status and a costs order being awarded in the respondent’s favour of just over £18,000.

K v N (2021) – represented a 16.4 children’s guardian in a case involving the attempted murder of one of the parents. Successful application to remove the parent’s parental responsibility and dismiss their application for both forms of contact.

L v C (2021) – acted for the 16.4 children’s guardian in a 2-week fact-finding hearing where the judge made serious findings that the father had fabricated himself having a life-threatening illness, such lies causing emotional harm. The case also involved allegations of tampering with the child’s medication and concerns of FI/FII.

Pro bono work

Beth mentors with the Young Legal Aid Lawyers organisation and as part of the yearly Young Citizens Mock Trial Competitions. Beth provides pro bono assistance through both her work with Advocate (formerly the pro bono unit) and the Birmingham City University legal clinic. Beth also undertakes pro bono work with students at the University of Birmingham, has been included on the Pro Bono Recognition List for 2024 and has been nominated for the Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year in 2025.

 

Education

LLB (Hons), Law, University of Birmingham, 2:1

BPTC (LLM), BPP, Very Competent

Appointments and Memberships

Birmingham City University Legal Advisory Board Member

Pupil Supervisor approved

St Philips Pupillage Committee

St Philips Recruitment Committee

West Midlands FLBA

National FLBA

Gray’s Inn

Testimonials

“Bethany has a specific strength in dealing with vulnerable clients, as she takes the time to understand clients’ needs and continuously advocates for their best interests. She excels at explaining complex legal concepts in layman’s terms, ensuring that clients fully understand their situations and options, and her empathetic and humanistic approach enables clients to give their instructions without fear of judgement.” Legal 500 2026

Languages

English

Bethany Armitage

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