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Senate House Chambers Public Access

Under the Public Access rules, members of the public seeking legal advice in relation to either a specific piece of work or full representation in proceedings can instruct a barrister directly in appropriate cases.

Full details of the scheme are available on the Bar Council’s website - Click Here

This may include advice, representation or a written opinion on a specific issue. We tailor our service by providing a suitably qualified and experienced barrister to meet your specific needs whilst ensuring that costs are kept to a minimum.

Such is the dramatic impact of government cuts to legal aid that few people will now qualify for funding in most private family law applications. We understand that careful management of the privately funded costs of proceedings is essential for public access clients. The members of our Public Access team are specialists in their areas of law, and the benefit of instructing us directly is that we can provide the support, advice and assistance to guide you through the legal process in a cost effective way. Our specially trained Public Access clerks are responsible for the efficient management of this important part of our business.

Our barristers cannot conduct litigation for you, unless they are specifically trained to do so. Litigation involves issuing applications at court, filing and serving documents such as statements and court bundles. However, our Public Access barristers can provide assistance and guidance in drafting these as documents.

In the majority of cases we charge a fixed fee for each piece of work undertaken, which is payable no later than 7 working days in advance and as outlined in the Terms of Business which will be sent to you when instructions have been confirmed.

The table below sets out an estimate of the range of fixed fees which vary depending upon the complexity of your matter and the seniority of the barrister you would like to instruct.

The fees are not inclusive of VAT, and the rates charged will depend on factors such as the individual barrister’s level of experience and complexity of the issues in the case. These matters will be discussed with you before a fee is confirmed and agreed.

Any additional fees will be set out in the Terms of Business . An example of additional fees may include assistance with drafting some types of documents and completion of court forms. In addition, travel to a court more than a 40 miles radius outside of Senate House Chambers would be charged at an hourly rate for travel plus mileage, all of which would be confirmed in the client care letter issued at the time.

As a rough guide, proceedings under the Children Act 1989 can take six to twelve months to resolve. This does not include possible appeals and there are exceptional cases where matters may take longer to conclude. We are obliged to make you aware that a barrister cannot undertake legal aid work under the Public Access Scheme unless a solicitor has instructed that individual. If you wish to obtain clarification as to whether you are eligible for legal aid before instructing us we would recommend that you consult a solicitor for the purpose of carrying out a legal aid eligibility check.

We would refer you to the Government’s online guidance on legal aid for further information.

www.gov.uk/legal-aid

Our People

Michelle Christie Joint Head of Chambers

Year of Call: 1999

01604 210979

Specialist areas

Adoption and Special Guardianship

Care Proceedings

Child Arrangements

Representation of Children

Profile

Michelle is a specialist in the law relating to children. Her practice consists of approximately 90% Public Law through which she represents the full ambit of parties; parents including via the Official Solicitor, local authorities, Children’s Guardians and children who can be represented in their own right.

Michelle has particular expertise in the following areas:

• Complex Care Proceedings

• Fabricated and Induced Illness

• Infant deaths and near fatal injuries

• Complex medical cases.

• Sexual abuse including inter-familial and inter-sibling.

• Running Care proceedings where there are concurrent criminal proceedings.

On occasion Michelle conducts complex Private Law Children proceedings involving:

• Allegations of abuse are raised.

• Parental Alienation.

• There is a high profile element.

Michelle has been junior to leading counsel on many occasions and has had the pleasure of being led by Jo Delahunty QC, Leslie Samuels QC, Cyrus Larizadeh QC, Darren Howe QC and John Vater QC. Michelle also acts as a leading junior in complex cases.

Education University:

De Montfort University (1998)

Law School: Inns of Court School of Law (1999)

Memberships

Family Law Bar Association

Middle Temple

What our clients are saying Michelle is popular with Solicitors and Lay Clients as a result of:

• Her forensic skills and exceptionally thorough case preparation and analysis.

• The quality of her preparatory and written work, which has often attracted praise from the judiciary in judgments.

• Michelle’s cross-examination techniques of experts and other witnesses.

• Michelle’s exceptional advocacy skills are coupled with a very personable and kind approach to lay clients, which assist greatly in making the court process less daunting.

Cases

C (A child : Fact Finding : Delay) [2014] EWFC B72 (21 November 2014) ED, Re [2015]

EWFC B84 (29 May 2015)

NORHAMPTONSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL v (1) MZ (2) FD (3) FL (2015)

P (A Child), Re [2018] EWCA Civ 720 (11 April 2018)

Pro bono work

Michelle is very much committed to pro bono representation and is willing to continue to represent clients in circumstances were funding is no longer available and the interests of justice require continued representation.

Stuart Yeung Barrister

Year of Call: 1989

(01604) 210979

Specialist areas

Adoption and Special Guardianship

Care Proceedings

Child Arrangements

Profile

Stuart Yeung is an experienced child law practitioner specialising in public and private law proceedings. Stuart acts on behalf of local authorities, parents, children and intervenors on the Midlands Circuit. Acting on behalf of local authorities usually involves numerous parties and complex issues arising out of serious nonaccidental injury and/or death and complex medical issues. Stuart employs a proactive, careful and sensitive approach to his preparation, has good case management skills and the ability to identify key issues and communicate effectively with professional and lay clients alike.

Stuart’s experience and current practice includes cases involving:

• Serious non-accidental injury

• Fabricated and/or induced illness, including hospital intervenors

• Female Genital Mutilation

• Sexual abuse

• Concurrent criminal proceedings

• Human Rights Act claims arising from public law proceedings

• Chronic neglect

• Drug and alcohol abuse (including FDAC

proceedings)

• Adoption

• Special Guardianship

• Domestic Violence

• Child arrangements (formerly residence and contact) disputes, including intractable contact disputes

Education University: Leicester Polytechnic (1988) LL.B (Hons)

Law School: Inns of Court School of Law (1989)

Memberships

Family Law Bar Association

Inner Temple

Midlands Circuit

Stuart is able to take instructions under the Public Access scheme.

Stuart is a registered pupil supervisor

Cases

Re W-A (Children: Foreign Conviction) [2022] EWCA Civ 1118

A County Council v CAFCASS [2019] EWHC 2369 (Fam)

Northamptonshire County Council v AB & CD [2019] EWHC 1807 (Fam)

Rachel

01604 210979

Specialist areas

Adoption and Special Guardianship

Care Proceedings

Child Arrangements

Domestic Violence

Profile

Rachel Watkins is a family law specialist with extensive experience in complex and serious public and private law proceedings. Rachel’s expertise spans the full range of child related matters including those involving non-accidental injury, incest, and honour based violence with many cases having the added complexity of concurrent criminal proceedings.

Rachel is regularly instructed by local authorities, the Official Solicitor, parents, children’s guardians, children who require separate representation, intervenors and other persons seeking orders in respect of a child. Rachel also accepts instructions on a direct access basis.

Cases feature:

• Serious non-accidental injury

• Incest

• Forced marriage

• Deprivation of liberty

• Mental health and litigation capacity

• Honour based violence

• Chronic neglect

• Children beyond parental control

• Clients with learning difficulties

• Child arrangement orders including protracted disputes in relation to contact

• Removal from the jurisdiction of England and Wales

• Changing of a child’s name or school

• Domestic violence including non-molestation and occupation orders

Memberships

Middle Temple

Registered pupillage supervisor

Cases S-L (Children) [2011] EWCA Civ 1022 (Court of Appeal)

Y and E (Children) (Sexual Abuse Allegations) [2019] EWCA Civ 206 (Court of Appeal)

Penny Van Spall Barrister

Specialist areas

Adoption and Special Guardianship

Care Proceedings

Child Arrangements

Domestic Violence

Profile

Penny Van Spall is an experienced child law practitioner specialising in both public and private law proceedings. Penny comes from a previous background of being a social worker and also a probation officer. Penny is able to deal with empathy and clear advice to those who struggle with capacity or mental health issues as well as those who are professional and articulate. Penny will work in an open fashion with clients and their instructing solicitors, assisting clients to understand the process and issues whilst also listening carefully to their respective instructions

Penny acts on behalf of local authorities, parents, children’s guardians, competent children and intervenors in a wide range of cases including:

• Serious non-accidental injury

• Fabricated and/or induced illness

• Female Genital Mutilation

• Sexual abuse

• Concurrent criminal proceedings

• Children/ families where special educational needs

• Chronic neglect

• Drug and alcohol abuse (including FDAC proceedings)

• Adoption including adoptions with international elements

• Special Guardianship

• Domestic Violence

• Child arrangements disputes, including both live with and contact disputes

Education

Sunderland Polytechnic...BA(Hons)

Communications Studies

Sheffield University...CQSW and Post Graduate

Diploma in App Socio Studies

Nottingham Law School...CPE

Nottingham Law School....Bar Vocational Course

Memberships

Family Law Bar Association

Midland Circuit

Gray’s Inn

What our clients are saying

Penny Van Spall is described as an experienced advocate who is skilled at dealing with difficult issues in a straight forward manner. Penny is a child focused and empathetic advocate who will give difficult advice when required. Penny works hard to explain matters to clients.

Cases

F v F (2007 EWHC 2543 [FAM]

Specialist areas

Adoption and Special Guardianship

Care Proceedings

Child Arrangements

Domestic Violence

Profile

Elizabeth Gooderham is a very experienced advocate who, after an early career at the bar undertaking both criminal and family law now specialises solely in all aspects of child-care law.

Elizabeth specialises in public and complex private law proceedings. Elizabeth is a thorough and detailed advocate with an ability to get to the heart of the matter. She has a sensitive and understanding approach when dealing with vulnerable clients, including those with mental health difficulties, young parents and competent children.

Elizabeth acts on behalf of local authorities, parents, children’s guardians, competent children and intervenors in a wide range of cases, including:

• Serious non-accidental injury

• Sexual abuse

• Concurrent criminal proceedings

• Chronic neglect

• Drug and alcohol abuse (including FDAC proceedings)

• Parents with mental health difficulties

• Adoption

• Special Guardianship

• Domestic Violence

• Child arrangements disputes

• Parental alienation

Education

University:

University of Derby (2000)

Law School: Inns of Court School of Law (2001)

Memberships

Family Law Bar Association

Inner Temple

Midland Circuit

Jenna Allen Barrister

Year of Call: 2002

01604210979

Specialist Areas

Adoption and Special Guardianship

Care Proceedings

Child Arrangements

Domestic Violence

Profile

Beginning her career in the Criminal Courts, and later expanding and developing her practice to specialise in Public (Care) and Private Law

Children matters, Jenna has earned her a deserved reputation amongst solicitors and the judiciary as a formidable advocate. Her wealth of experience extends across all tiers of the judicial system, from the Magistrates and Youth Court, through the Crown and County Court to the High Court and Court of Appeal.

As an advocate for Parents, Intervenors and Children/Guardians, Jenna is adept at handling cases involving:

• Domestic Abuse – representing both victims and perpetrators

• Sexual Abuse

• Severe Neglect

• Vulnerable parents, including those with learning disabilities

• Drug/alcohol addictions and dependency issues

• Intractable contact disputes

What our clients are saying

Jenna is a diligent, committed and effective advocate who always strives to achieve the best outcome for those she represents whilst giving well-founded and realistic advice. She is known for her ability to effectively deal with conflict and potential hostility. A particular strength is her ability to skilfully challenge expert and professional witnesses.

Education:

Leicester University, LLB Hons (2001)

Nottingham Law School; Bar Vocational CourseVery Competent (2002)

Appointments and Memberships:

Lincoln’s inn

Midland Circuit

• Bar Council’s Direct Public Access scheme

• Jenna is a registered pupil supervisor

Grant Keyes Barrister

01604 210979

Specialist areas

Care Proceedings, Child Arrangements, Adoption and Special Guardianship

Profile

Grant is an experienced specialist family law practitioner in public and private children law. Grant always fights for the rights of his clients and has the ability to disseminate the most complex cases into the key facts in a calm manner, whilst providing clear and realistic advice. Grant uses his forensic approach to complex cases and skilled advocacy whilst maintaining a calm and warm manner with his clients. Grant has the experience of working with the most vulnerable individuals who have suffered significant trauma in their lives, and regularly works with intermediaries on particularly emotionally charged and complex cases.

Grant acts on behalf of parents, children’s guardians, children and intervenors in a wide range of cases:

• Serious non-accidental injury

• Fabricated and/or induced illness

• Sexual Abuse

• Domestic Violence

• Chronic Neglect

• Drug and Alcohol Abuse (including FDAC proceedings)

• Adoption including Revocation of Adoption

• Special Guardianship

• Secure Accommodation/Deprivation of Liberty

• Child arrangements disputes, including intractable contact disputes

Education

University:

University of Leicester (BA)

Warwick Business School (MBA)

Law School

BPP London (2005)

Memberships/Scholarships

Family Law Bar Association

Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn

- Richard York Scholarship (2006)

- CPE Scholarship (2005)

What our clients are saying

Grant has a reputation for his high level of advocacy, demonstrating his forensic ability to find the ‘needle in the haystack’ and to always fight for his client. He is truly client focused and robust in his approach, whilst remaining calm in the ‘eye of the storm’. He cares about his clients and will do what is right whilst always being professional providing advice in a straightforward and direct style. Grant represents clients in the County Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.

Cases

Re X, T, A, E &S [2020] EWCA Civ 1680 (Court of Appeal –NAI Fact Finding -Judge had erred in his approach. It was not open to the Judge to find that T self-harmed as a result of the conduct of the parents.

Re S [2020] EWCA Civ 1382 (Court of Appeal – Judge had erred in his approach to, and analysis of, the medical evidence and findings of fact relating to a serious head injury suffered by the child.)

Re H-B-S [2020] EWCA Civ 1027 (Court of Appeal – Judge had been wrong to discharge interim care orders in the middle of a fact finding)

Re AB, CD, XB & YD [2020] EWFC 15 – (High Court –Fabricated Illness, Sexual Abuse – Finding of Fact – client exonerated)

Re T (A Child) sub nom OCC v (1) A (Mother) (2) B (Father) (3) T (BY Guardian) (4 & 5) C & D (Paternal Aunt & Uncle) (2017) (Successful challenge to Foster to Adopt – child returned to the family)

Re S [2015] (non-reported) – (Non-accidental injury (fracture) to a 6 month old baby – Finding of Fact hearing –child returned home to family)

Re P [2015] (a child) NCC v (1) LC (2) GA (3) P [2010] EWCA Crim 1348

Samantha Dunn Barrister

Year of Call: 2008

01604 210979

Specialist areas

Adoption and Special Guardianship

Care Proceedings

Child Arrangements

Domestic Violence

Profile

Samantha Dunn is an experienced and established family law practitioner that has specialised primarily in care proceedings. Samantha provides clients with frank but sensitive advice enabling them to make informed decisions throughout the duration of the case. Samantha thoroughly cares about the work that she undertakes and will often go ‘above and beyond’ for the benefit of her lay and professional clients. She is a tenacious and persuasive advocate adept in both negotiation and court room advocacy skills.

She has experience representing a number of Local Authorities, Guardians, parents and other interested parties / intervenors in cases involving:-

• Serious non-accidental injuries (fractures – including baby-shake cases, bruising, sexual abuse cases);

• Physical and sexual abuse of children and / or adults;

• Fabricated and/or induced illness;

• Female Genital Mutilation;

• Chronic neglect, emotional and psychological abuse;

• Drug and alcohol abuse (including FDAC proceedings);

• Adults or children with learning difficulties and / or disabilities;

• Domestic Violence / Domestic Abuse (including honour-based violence);

• Adoption;

• Special Guardianship;

• Child arrangements disputes, including intractable contact disputes and alienation;

Samantha is qualified to accept instructions on a Direct Access basis.

Education

University: University of Derby (2007)

Law School: University of Nottingham (2008)

Memberships

Family Law Bar Association

Middle Temple

What our clients are saying Samantha is renowned for her no-nonsense straighttalking approach. She has excellent client care skills and will provide clients with firm but sensitive advice to ensure they are equipped and empowered to make the right choices throughout their litigation.

Cases

Re W-A (Children: Foreign Conviction) [2022] EWCA Civ 1118

T (A Child: Fact Finding) [2014] EWFC B115 (12 September 2014)

NCC v L & Anor [2014] EWHC 4828 (Fam) (21 July 2014)

Charlene Henderson Barrister

Year of Call: 2009

01604 210979

Specialist areas

Adoption and Special Guardianship

Care Proceedings

Child Arrangements

Domestic Violence

Profile

Charlene practices exclusively in children matters, covering all aspects of private and public children’s work in the family field. Charlene began her practice in both crime and family; her mixed practice has equipped her with knowledge of the crossover between the criminal and family jurisdictions. Charlene conducted her last ever criminal case in the Court of Appeal.

Charlene has experience in representing local authorities, parents, interveners, related parties, children’s guardians and competent children at all stages of care proceedings. She appears before all levels of the judiciary, including in the High Court and Court of Appeal. Her work in this field includes:

• Fact finding hearings comprising serious nonaccidental injury (‘shaken’ baby allegations, multiple fractures and multiple bruising).

• Fact finding hearings involving sexual abuse allegations.

• Re-litigation/challenge to historic findings.

• Drug and alcohol abuse, including FDAC proceedings.

• Mental illness or learning difficulties, including when the client is represented by the Official Solicitor.

• Representation of young clients.

• Serious domestic violence.

• Chronic neglect.

• Removal from jurisdiction.

• High conflict cases (parental alienation and malign influence).

• Appeal hearings.

Public Access scheme:

Charlene regularly accepts instructions under the Public Access scheme.

Education

University: University of Sussex (2008)

Law School: BPP London (2009)

Memberships

Family Law Bar Association

Lincoln’s Inn

What our clients are saying

Charlene takes a dedicated approach to all of her cases and has a reputation for representing clients with passion and conviction. She has a fierce tenacity in the courtroom and has been described as an “impressive advocate” with an “astonishing command of her case”. Her knowledge, preparation and organisation of papers has been referred to as “exceptional”.

Cases

Re Z (A Child: Committal Proceedings) [2020]

EWFC B5

Andrew Duncan Barrister

Year of Call: 2011

01604 210979

Specialist areas

Adoption and Special Guardianship, Care Proceedings, Child Arrangements, Domestic Violence, Financial Remedy Proceedings

Profile

Andrew has developed a strong reputation in all areas of Family Disputes. He is regularly instructed in complex private and public law cases. He has developed a reputation as a fearless advocate who dispenses with advice in a frank and down to earth manner.

Professional clients can expect Andrew to be a team player, who goes the extra mile and values the importance of working together. Andrew is instructed across all levels of court allocation. He regularly deals with complex physical and sexual abuse allegations, and within the private law sphere has developed a trusted reputation for cases involving complex parental alienation.

Andrew represents Parents, Local Authorities, Children (directly or through their guardian), intervenors, grandparents and divorcees. Andrew without doubt has an ability to get straight to the point, he is a strong negotiator, and a resolute cross examiner.

Andrew is regularly instructed in cases involving complex issues such as; international relocation, parental alienation, significant substance misuse, mental health issues, domestic violence and non-accidental injury.

Andrew has participated as both Appellant and Respondent in many appeal hearings. A number of those appeals have resulted in re-hearings being directed.

Andrew also regularly accepts instructions directly from members of the public under the Direct Access scheme and sees many referrals as a consequence of his successes.

Education

University:

University of Sussex LL.B (Hons) Law (2009): University of Edinburgh LL.M Law (2010)

Law School:

BPP Law School (London)

Bar Professional Training Course (2011)

Memberships

Family Law Bar Association

The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn

What our clients are saying

Andrew is well known for getting results and having a strong presence in the court room. Known for good communication skills, robust advice, and a forensic cross examiner.

Cases

Re A & B [2022] EWFC 44

Bedford Borough Council v CD & Ors (Rev 1) [2020] EWHC 3298 (Fam)

Bedford Borough Council v CD & Ors (Rev 1) [2020] EWHC 1996 (Fam)

Re B (A Child) [2020] EWFC 34

Re B [2023] Andrew represented a Local Authority in a legally complex case where there was a positively assessed special guardian, and a known prospective adopter, neither of which the child lived with at the time of the final hearing. Andrew successfully obtained care and placement orders on behalf of the Local Authority following legal argument.

Re DS [2022] Andrew represented a father where allegations were made of the most serious form of sexual abuse against both him and his brother in law. After a 10 day fact find where two sets of care proceedings were consolidated, no findings were made against Andrew’s client, who was exonerated, immediately allowed to return to the family home and the care proceedings were dismissed.

Re RM [2022] Andrew represented a father where significant historic findings had been made against him at an earlier fact find hearing and an application for further assessment of him had been refused. Following Andrew’s cross examination at the welfare hearing where care and placement orders were sought, the Judge acceded to Andrew’s application for expert risk assessment and an adjournment of the final hearing for that assessment to be completed.

Re D [2022] Andrew represented maternal family members during a lengthy welfare hearing at the High Court to determine where a child would live following the killing of her mother by the father. The father was held on remand for murder throughout the duration of the trial.

Re C [2022] Andrew sought an order for adoption on behalf of foster carers in a very complex case where the foster carers had cared for a child for almost 3 years at the time of the hearing, but where there was a positively assessed family member and the added complexity of linked care proceedings in relation to a sibling child being heard at the same time.

Re E [2021] Andrew represented a mother, led by Queens Counsel, where the parents were in the pool of possible perpetrators following discovery of two rib fracture during a routine X-Ray. Andrew’s team brought about the withdrawal of the case by the Local Authority and the parents were exonerated.

Re T [2021] Andrew successfully sought the transfer of living arrangements for two sibling children from the mother to the father where there had been earlier findings of parental alienation and a failed therapeutic process.

Re RN [2021] Andrew successfully sought findings on behalf of his client of the falsification of various allegations of domestic abuse including that the mother had falsified an allegation of attempted murder.

Re L [2021] Andrew dealt with a complex conjoined cases where the birth parents sought contact with a previously adopted sibling group in private proceedings at the same time as adoptive family were involved in public law proceedings following the breakdown of the adoptive placement.

Re CE (2020)

Andrew appeared for a mother, accused of parental alienation as assessed by a psychologist. Andrew was instructed late in the proceedings when a fact find, and welfare hearing were listed. His advice, and representation brought about agreement to the proceedings and resulted in the vacating of the fact find hearing and the child remaining in the care of his client.