Practice Areas
Direct Access
Awards
‘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
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)
Appointments
Law for Change legal panel
Profile
Chris is a leading family law barrister specialising in public and private children work.
Chris’ core case load includes:
– Complex public law proceedings, with a focus on cases concerning alleged non-accidental injuries, and proceedings with an international component;
– In his private law work Chris is frequently instructed in cases concerning serious allegations of domestic and/or sexual abuse; and
– Applications under the Adoption and Children Act 2002, with a focus on contested adoptions, proceedings following relinquishment, and adoptions with an international dimension.
Chris is highly regarded for his appellate work and is an accomplished appeal advocate. He is frequently instructed in appeals before the Court of Appeal and High Court, often as sole, or lead, counsel. Recently Chris has had success acting for an appellant local authority challenging the refusal of a placement order application, in a significant appeal concerning reliance on hair strand testing in an application for interim removal, and the appeal against the anonymity order preventing the naming of Judges who had presided in Family Proceedings concerning Sara Sharif.
Beyond Chambers’ core areas of work Chris has developed a particular expertise in applications, arising from family proceedings, under the Human Rights Act 1998 having pursued applications for declarations of incompatibility in relation to diplomatic immunity, and the irrevocability of the parental responsibility of married fathers.
Chris has extensive experience of media and reporting applications arising from family proceedings, and has appeared in many of the leading cases concerning transparency in the Family Court including:
– Representing Rights of Women, along with Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC and Charlotte Baker, in Griffiths v Tickle
– Representing freelance journalist Louise Tickle in the successful appeal in Tickle v Father & Ors [2023] leading to publication of a transcript in which a Circuit Judge expressed views on transparency;
– Representation of media organisations including the BBC, and acting for Tortoise Media Ltd in an application to report on family proceedings arising from parents investigated for murder and abortion related offences under the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861, reported by Phoebe Gates;
– Acting for the appellant journalists, Louise Tickle and Hannah Summers working in a freelance capacity, in application for disclosure and permission to publish in proceedings concerning Sara Sharif and leading James Nottage in the subsequent appeal to the Court of Appeal to challenge an order providing for judicial anonymity.
Chris’ background as a family law specialist, along with his wide experience of acting for journalists and media organisations in the Family Court, leave him well placed to advise on applications for disclosure and/or permission to publish, and, where required, he can offer advice and representation on an urgent basis where matters are time sensitive.
Public Children Law
Chris has had a significant focus on public law proceedings throughout his career, and very extensive of experience of appearing in cases at all levels.
Chris is frequently instructed in complex cases with contested medical expert evidence arising from alleged non-accidental injury. Much of Chris’ case loads sees him appearing in the High Court, often against leading counsel.
When acting for parents in public law proceedings:
– Chris is especially highly regarded for his work with vulnerable clients, or those requiring additional support arising from their cognitive profile, mental health diagnoses, or experience of trauma;
– Chris is committed, as far as possible, to provide consistency of representation for his clients;
– Chris has considerable experience of working as part of a team – whether with a leader, or leading – with intermediaries, interpreters, or specialist deaf interpreters to support his clients to participate fully and fairly in proceedings.
Chris has extensive experience of advising and representing local authorities and has a strong strategic focus to support his client departments in complex, and contentious proceedings. Chris has particular experience:
– Representing local authorities in heavy medical cases where is frequently instructed as sole, or lead counsel;
– In proceedings under the Adoption and Children Act 2002, including in contested adoption applications;
– Where the case has an additional international dimension;
– Advising – often as a matter of urgency – in cases in which he did not appear at first instance where an appeal is contemplated.
Chris has a particular interest in niche areas of public law work, including relinquishment for adoption, applications for authorisation of deprivations of liberty, and applications under the 1996 Hague Convention.
Private Children Law
Since acting in the seminal case of Re H-N (for the appellant mother in Re T, who he continued to represent in the remitted proceedings following the successful appeal) Chris has continued to develop a wide ranging private law practice with a particular focus on contentious private law proceedings in which contested allegations of abuse arise. Chris’ directory entries highlight his experience with vulnerable clients, and his sensitive and supportive approach to clients.
Chris has acted in private law appeals across the Family Court, Family Division, and Court of Appeal. He is frequently brought in to advise on appeal given his experience, technical approach, and knowledge of the law, and is committed to providing consistency of representation where a successful appeal results in a retrial and/or remitted proceedings.
Chris is often instructed in private law proceedings which are technical, or concern novel applications of the law where his tactical advice, and strong written and oral advocacy, make him a go-to barrister.
International Children Law
Chris has particular experience in public law cases with an international dimension having acted in cases concerning in-bound and out-bound applications under Article 15 BIIR.
Chris has been instructed in a number of cases under the 1996 Hague Convention, including:
– Acting for the Child and Family Agency of Ireland in Child and Family Agency v Ireland v AB [2021] EWHC 1774 (Fam), the first transfer request under Article 8
– Re D (Care Proceedings: 1996 Hague Convention: Article 9 Request [2021] EWHC 1970 (Fam) one of the first occasions when the provisions of Articles 8 and 9 were given substantive consideration
– Representing a father seeking a request to transfer jurisdiction to the Courts of England and Wales in E v D (Child: Transfer of Proceedings Art. 9 of Hague Convention 1996) [2024] EWHC 2422 (Fam)
Chris has appeared in many of the leading cases concerning the risk of radicalisation in the Family Court. He has experience of cases concerning returnees from Syria, and has acted, as part of a wider multi-disciplinary team to seek to secure the repatriation of British Nationals.
Professional Memberships
Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
Family Law Bar Association
Association of Lawyers for Children
Directories
“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
‘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
“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