Judith Murray KC and Rachel Chisholm Appeared in The Times Today Discussing the Impacts of Economic Abuse in the Family Courts
In an article published in The Times, Judith Murray KC and Rachel Chisholm discuss how abusers “seek to use the court process to perpetuate further abuse”.
Their piece, titled “Family courts must not let themselves be used as tools of abuse, highlights the tactics employed by abusers, the impact on victims and the challenge facing the family court “to manage the process while guarding against attempted abusive behaviour”.
Click here to read the article.
9 Members of 4PB Appear in the Two-Day Court of Appeal Hearing in the Matter of Re: Sharif Children
9 members of chambers will appear in a two day Court of Appeal hearing 14/15 January 2025. This is an appeal from an order made by Williams J, sitting in the High Court Family Division in December 2024, relating to the historic family court cases involving Sara Sharif. In particular, The appellants challenge the decision to restrain the naming of “any Judge who heard the historic proceedings” concerning Sara Sharif and her siblings. The appeal will likely provide general guidance on the issue of transparency and the naming of judges.
The live streamed broadcast of the appeal will be accessible from the judiciary’s website.
Acting for the respondents:
- Alex Verdan KC, leading Rebecca Foulkes, are instructed by Hilka Hollmann (Dawson Cornwell), representing the Children (through their Children’s Guardian)
- Deirdre Fottrell KC is instructed by Surrey County Council
- Cyrus Larizadeh KC, leading Clarissa Wigoder, are instructed by Bridget Thomson (Osborne Law), representing Urfan Sharif
- Joy Brereton KC, leading Amean Elgadhy, are instructed by Sanam Khan (City Law Chambers), representing Beinash Batool
Chris Barnes, leading James Nottage, appears for the appellant, journalists Hannah Summers and Louise Tickle.
Barbara Mills KC Makes History as Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales for 2025
Our very own Joint Head of Chambers, Barbara Mills KC, has made history as Chair of The Bar Council of England and Wales for 2025. Her groundbreaking appointment marks several historic firsts. Barbara becomes the first black woman and the first person of colour to hold the role, as well as leading the first all-female officer team in the Bar Council’s 130-year history, working alongside Vice-Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC and Treasurer Lucinda Orr. Barbara also becomes the first Family Law barrister in 35 years to chair the Bar since Sir Robert Johnson.
In her inaugural address, Barbara outlined her personal priorities for the year. She pledged “to raise the profile of family law and to help the Government in its mission to halve violence against women and girls.” She also emphasised the importance of embedding wellbeing as “a skill and a core part of effective practice management” and committed to making “further strides in our pursuit of equality, diversity and inclusion”.
In her closing words, Barbara drew on an African proverb from her Ghanaian upbringing: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” before inviting the Bar to “walk with [her] so we can go far together.”
Charles Hale KC, Joint Head of 4PB, commented:
“I am delighted both for Barbara and for the Bar, that Barbara has now become Chair of the Bar of England and Wales. I know I speak on behalf of all of my Chambers, her family and friends, when I say that we are incredibly proud of what she has achieved and what she will now go on to achieve! There will be young black girls who will see what Barbara has achieved, and they will be inspired to achieve themselves. That in itself is a legacy, even before the year in office is done.”
Chris Barnes Represents Journalists Louise Tickle and Hannah Summers in an Appeal Over Disclosure in the Sara Sharif Case
Reported Case: Andrew Powell and Olivia Gaunt Represent a Surrogate Pro Bono in a New Parental Order Case – R & Anor v A & Anor [2024] EWFC 34
Andrew Powell and Olivia Gaunt represented the first respondent surrogate, by her litigation friend the Official Solicitor, pro bono in R & Anor v A (by her litigation friend, The Official Solicitor) & Anor [2024] EWFC 34. In what is understood to be the first case of this nature, the case concerned a domestic surrogacy arrangement where the court found that the first respondent surrogate was incapable of giving agreement to a parental order. Mrs Justice Judd made a parental order in favour of the applicant intended parents. Andrew and Olivia were instructed by Alison Leivesley of Bindmans LLP
The 4PB Private Children Law Update – Summer/Autumn 2024 edition is now available.
Click here to download your copy.