Clerking team

Tim Booth
Tim Booth

Senior Clerk Sheffield

Suzanne Heron

Lead Clerk, Family and Court of Protection

Jayne Harper

Family and Court of Protection Clerk

Fiona read law at Manchester Metropolitan University before studying for the Law Society Finals at Chester Law School. She trained as a solicitor commencing her articles with Nelsons in Nottingham, before transferring to the Bar. Fiona was called to the Bar by the Inner temple in 1992. She initially practised in Criminal and Family Law but for almost 20 years has specialised exclusively in the field of Family Law.

Children (Public and Private law)

Fiona has substantial and extensive experience in all aspects of family law relating to children. She is regularly instructed, particularly on behalf of parents but also by Local Authorities and on behalf of children, in cases involving serious allegations of physical, sexual and emotional abuse in addition to having substantial experience of dealing with cases involving complex medical evidence. Fiona has significant experience of acting for children by way of direct instruction and on behalf of extended family members in public law proceedings.

Fiona has an ability to communicate directly and effectively with lay clients, often in very difficult circumstances and her approachable, friendly disposition make her ideally suited to cases of a sensitive nature and in particular those involving young and/or vulnerable clients. She is recognised for her ability to give clear and pragmatic advice.

Cases

A Local Authority v C and L (2015)

Represented a 17-year-old mother in public law proceedings where there had been previous findings that the mother along with the father, was not excluded from causing serious brain injury and fractures to her infant son. Following a re-opening of the findings the mother was successfully removed from the pool of perpetrators.

A Local Authority v J (2012)

Acted for the Local Authority in care proceedings which resulted in the making of orders permanently removing the children from the care of the family. Subsequently acted in committal proceedings against the maternal grandmother for repeated breaches of an order preventing her from posting details of the proceedings on social media sites. The grandmother was committed to prison for four months.

Memberships

  • Family Law Bar Association

Education

  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Chester Law School
  • Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training