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

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.

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 nonaccidental 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 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.