Practice Areas
Direct Access
Awards
‘Chris is a brilliant advocate, who goes over and above for his clients. His calm, confident and robust approach means his client’s case is put in the best possible way.’
Chambers and Partners, 2025
‘Chris is a compelling advocate. He builds strong relationships with clients, and can explain the most complex of issues in a straightforward way.’
Legal 500, 2025
Experience
Year of Call: 2008
Qualifications
MA (Cantab) History
GDL
BVC
Education
St John’s College, Cambridge (2003-6)
City University (2006/7)
Inns of Court School of Law (2007/8)
Profile
Chris specialises in proceedings relating to children whether public, private or international. He is regularly instructed – both in his own right and as a led junior – by local authorities, parents, guardians and other interested parties at all levels including the Family Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.
Chris has been involved in a number of high profile cases concerning contested adoption, the relinquishment of children and risk of radicalisation and his work was recognised as Family Law Junior Barrister of the Year at the Jordan Publishing Family Law Awards 2016.
Chris’ practice covers the full range of cases concerning children whether in the course of local authority initiated proceedings or in private applications. His practise encompasses cases of the utmost gravity – including sexual abuse and serious inflicted injuries – alongside those with novel or contentious legal issue. He brings his experience, sensitivity and commitment to bear in ensuring that his clients – whether parents, professionals or others – are supported and represented through the litigation process.
Chris has been at the forefront of a number of cases concerning the risk of radicalisation in a family law context and has experience of representing both local authorities and parents. He was instructed in one of the first cases to use wardship in the context of teenage girls said to be at risk of travelling to Syria. He has an extensive knowledge of the issues involved as well as experience of contested applications concerning disclosure of sensitive material and reporting restrictions.
In his work relating to adoption Chris has been instructed in a number of contentious adoption application and has been involved in long-running adoption proceedings, acting for a father seeking the rehabilitation of his daughter, heard by the President over 3-weeks following two hearings in the Court of Appeal. He has also developed a specialism in cases concerning relinquished infants where he has acted for, and advised, local authorities as well as having represented family members.
Chris is a reviewer and undertakes work for the Bar Pro Bono unit and is committed to ensuring that where his clients may be more vulnerable – by virtue of language, disability or geographical location – are properly protected and represented before the Court.
Chris writes and lectures regularly with a particular focus on public law proceedings, adoption and radicalisation.
Away from work Chris is a dedicated runner: he ran the 2016 London Marathon on behalf of St John Ambulance and is a regular parkrunner. (www.parkrun.com)
Away from work Chris is a dedicated runner he ran the 2016 London Marathon on behalf of St John Ambulance. He helped set up a local Junior parkrun and is himself a committed parkrunner
Professional Memberships
Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
Family Law Bar Association
Association of Lawyers for Children
Directories
‘Chris is a compelling advocate. He builds strong relationships with clients, and can explain the most complex of issues in a straightforward way.’
Legal 500, 2025
“Chris is a brilliant advocate, who goes over and above for his clients. His calm, confident and robust approach means his client’s case is put in the best possible way.”
“Instructing him is like instructing a silk as he’s really clever and really tactically astute. He’s quietly formidable – when I see other barristers around him, they pale in comparison.”
“Chris is calm, intelligent and articulate. His advocacy is excellent and he is wonderfully adept at explaining complex concepts to vulnerable clients. A real go-to barrister for children work.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“He is an absolute powerhouse, who is willing to go out of his way for clients.”
“He is creative in his thinking and doesn’t miss an opportunity to challenge the other side’s position.”
“Chris is an excellent all-rounder. His knowledge of the law is flawless, but it is his compassion and care with clients that is most impressive.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024
‘Chris is academically sharp, thoughtful and insightful with his cases. He relishes the law and is committed to making sure it progresses to reflect society. He is excellent to work with as part of a team – pleasant yet oozing confidence.’
Legal 500, 2024
“A very bright and extremely impressive junior, who has very good client skills and is really good on the law. He’s nice to work with.”
“Chris is an excellent barrister, who’s incredibly knowledgeable about the law and has a personable, calm and sensitive approach with clients, including very vulnerable people.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
‘Chris is a very experienced and highly effective children’s junior with a formidable track record of experience and success in dealing with complex, cutting-edge public law cases with an international dimension. His knowledge of the law and procedure is encyclopedic, and his intellectual agility is matched by a forceful yet pragmatic approach that makes him attractive to specialist solicitors, not least to those at local authorities and other institutional clients.’
Legal 500, 2023
“He’s hard-working and absolutely dedicated to his clients.” “He handles detailed, complex cases with alacrity and ease.” “Chris is clever, calm, approachable and collaborative. He always responds to queries or requests for help as quickly as he can.”
Recent work: Represented the local authority in an appeal concerning a child who was vaccinated while in care. The main issue was whether a local authority with a care order could vaccinate a child despite parental objections.
Chambers & Partners, 2022
‘A talented junior unafraid to take on cases from which others might shy away.’
Legal 500, 2022
A well-respected junior who is increasingly well versed in matters concerning the overlap between public law and international children issues. He has additional experience in cases involving radicalisation and also enjoys particular renown for his work in abduction cases.
Strengths: “An extraordinarily prolific advocate who appears in cases against silks unled. He has a demon brain and is a superb cross-examiner.”
Recent work: Represented an appellant father in an effort to restrict disclosure to the police of information arising from family proceedings. The information concerned alleged radicalisation of a family who had returned from Syria.
Chambers & Partners, 2021
‘A highly intelligent, knowledgeable barrister who is a skilled advocate.’
Legal 500, 2021
A well-respected junior who is increasingly well-versed in matters concerning the overlap between public law and international children issues. He has additional experience in cases involving radicalisation and also enjoys particular renown for his work in abduction cases.
Strengths: “He’s highly intelligent and brilliant with clients.”
Chambers & Partners 2020
‘Highly intelligent and meticulous, he will not leave any stone unturned; a fearless and eloquent advocate.’
Legal 500, 2020
A well-respected junior who is increasingly well versed in matters concerning the overlap between public law and international children issues. He has experience in cases involving contested adoption and relinquished children. He enjoys particular renown for his work in radicalisation cases, and often appears in the High Court.
Strengths: “He’s a very good lawyer and an excellent advocate. If there isn’t an answer, he’ll find one.”
Recent work: Represented the local authority in proceedings concerning the risk of radicalisation with regard to a mother and baby who had just returned from Syria.
Chambers & Partners 2019
‘His paperwork is exceptional.’
Legal 500, 2019
A well-respected junior who is increasingly well versed in matters concerning the overlap between public law and international children issues. He has experience in contested adoption, relinquished children and radicalisation cases.
Strengths: “He’s very intelligent and has picked things up and taken cases to places you wouldn’t think they could go. He’s definitely a rising star.”
Chambers & Partners 2018