Salford CC v W others (Religion and Declaration of Looked After Status)[2021] EWHC 61 (Fam)
Lorraine Cavanagh QC led Niamh Ross in this application for a prohibited steps order.
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Niamh practises in all areas of children law, with a particular interest in public law proceedings.
Having been granted the Gray’s Inn William Shaw QC Award, Niamh achieved an “Outstanding” grade in the BPTC and was called to the Bar in 2016. Prior to this, Niamh graduated with an LLB in Law with First Class Honours from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2015. Alongside her studies, Niamh acted as a volunteer supporter for Victim Support in Newham, specialising in supporting victims of domestic abuse.
Niamh accepted tenancy at St John’s Buildings in November 2017 following the successful completion of her pupillage.
Children (Public and Private law)
Niamh practices primarily in public law children proceedings and applications under the inherent jurisdiction including for declarations authorising the deprivation of liberty of children and young people.
Niamh regularly represents local authorities, parents, children, and interveners at all stages of public law proceedings.
Niamh has experience of cases involving serious non-accidental injuries and sexual abuse.
Niamh is particularly passionate about the representation of vulnerable people. Niamh has completed the FLBA vulnerable witness advocacy training.
Reported Cases
Salford CC v W & others (Religion and Declaration of Looked After Status) [2021] EWHC 61 (Fam)
Led by Lorraine Cavanagh KC in this application for a prohibited steps order to prevent the prospective special guardians from allowing the children to receive the sacraments of the Roman Catholic faith until they were 16 years old. The judgment is available here.
Salford CC v W & Ors [2021] EWHC 1689 (Fam)
Niamh acted in this application for freestanding declarations under the inherent jurisdiction as to the children’s legal status. The judgment is available here.
Trafford Borough Council v B & Ors [2022] EWHC 1406 (Fam)
Niamh acted for the local authority in this application for declarations authorising the deprivation of liberty of a young person. The judgment is available here.
Other Notable Cases
A local authority v J 2023
Acting for the child directly, successfully argued that a 13-year-old boy should be able to return to the care of his parents contrary to the local authority’s care plan and recommendations of the Children’s Guardian.
A local authority v D 2023
Represented a mother accused of significant emotional and physical abuse. Some of the most serious findings sought were not made.
A local authority v T 2022
Represented a local authority seeking findings against a father of sexual abuse of the subject children.
A local authority v J 2022
Successfully argued on behalf of a local authority that the Family Court of England and Wales should retain jurisdiction despite an application for transfer made by another state.
A local authority v M 2022
Represented an intervener in care proceedings facing allegations of fracturing a baby’s arm.
A local authority v H 2020
Whilst representing a local authority, secured findings of serious shaking type injuries despite the evidence of several medical experts being challenged.
A local authority v B 2019
Represented an intervener facing allegations of causing unusual and significant injuries to a toddler’s fingernails. Undertook cross-examination of expert dermatologist and paediatrician.
Education
- Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training
