Family – Children

                Family law awards winner regional chamber

 

“St John’s Buildings maintains a prominent presence on the Northern Circuit, covering the whole spectrum of children matters. The set represents children, parents and local authorities in complex children matters. The barristers advise on novel cases that challenge existing legislation and are highly experienced in cross-jurisdictional mandates. A source comments: “The chambers have very experienced and competent counsel. I have no hesitation in briefing them in complex matters.” Chambers UK Bar 2023

 

“The set now seems to be the prominent set for family matters in Manchester, both in terms of financial and children’s matters . They did excellent seminars online during lockdown.”

 

“The go-to chambers for Manchester. Excellent service right from the reception staff, clerks and barristers.” Legal 500 2023

 

The practice of family law has been an acknowledged strength of SJB for a considerable period and we rank as a leading family law Chambers in all of the major legal directories.

There are now more than 90 members of St John’s Buildings Chambers who are Children law specialists, including six King’s Counsel. Our practitioners’ range of experience stretches from those who have recently completed a specialist pupillage to those of many years’ seniority and eminence.

We are, in consequence, able to cover all aspects of family law and related work at all levels to a standard of excellence. We regularly appear in all levels of Courts up to and including the Family Division of the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

We are proud of the diversity of our team’s skills and experience and in particular the fact that we are able to offer practitioners who are pre-eminent in the fields of children and related work.

One of our great strengths is that each individual member benefits from being part of a cohesive team within a large multidisciplinary set of Chambers. This means that we are able to offer strength and depth of service from a setting where we can, when necessary, benefit from the experience and presence of other practitioners.

We strive to create an ethos which is user friendly and client focused.

 

“Nothing is ever too much trouble: calm and reassuring.”

 

“I deal with Ryan Barker, assistant senior clerk, and Mark Robinson, senior clerk, and they are always extremely efficient, approachable and helpful.”

 

“The clerks are the best around.”

 

“Paul Laverty, senior clerk, is brilliant. He is proactive on when briefs are prepared and bills are paid. He’s the right or left arm of those barristers. He’s probably the best clerk in the country.”

 

“The clerks are fantastic. The clerk I contact is Dan Johnson, who is excellent. He is friendly, approachable, responsive and always goes the extra mile to assist where he can.” Chambers UK Bar 2023

Public Law

We represent Local Authorities, Parents, Interveners, Guardians and the Official Solicitor in the all types of proceedings and the team has widespread experience of:

We provide training to Local Authorities, solicitors, social workers and organisations involved in family law proceedings.

Private Law

We regularly appear in all levels of Court up to and including the Family Division of the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Our team is deliberately developed with clients in mind. We have a large and highly trained team of family clerks who can help allocate any type of case to an expert barrister.

Our expertise includes:

Legal Directory Recommendations

 “The set has a wide range of counsel in terms of experience and costs. It’s my first choice for family matters.” Chambers UK Bar 2022

“St John’s Buildings has ‘huge strength in depth’ and is an ‘excellent set with consistently high quality counsel'” “It is a very strong set. They have excellent barristers with a range of expertise. Their seminars, especially during lockdown, were highly informative.” “The leading set for family work in the north of England. It has chambers in several cities which means that its network is unique.” Legal 500 2022

“It is the leading family set in Manchester – you go to them first,” says one source, while another interviewee reports: “I very highly rate all of the silks at the set.” Chambers UK Bar 2021

“The family clerks at St John’s Buildings are simply excellent. They are always willing to make enquiries to see if they can juggle the diaries.” “The clerks are brilliant and never let me down. I know that I can trust them implicitly.” Chambers UK Bar 2021

“St John’s Buildings’ has one of the largest family law offerings on the Northern Circuit and houses a legion of QCs and juniors specialising in the area… Its barristers serve a diverse clientele that includes local authorities… Solicitors note that the set has ‘a significant number of very able counsel’ and ‘a good range of choice’ which means ‘you can always find somebody to fit your case.'” Chambers & Partners 2019

“Children law is a core area of instruction, with members handling, among other areas, adoption, non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse and cases with international elements.” Legal 500 2019

“SJB wins plaudits for its impressive size and particular expertise in divorce and matrimonial finance matters in both a public and private law context. The set also handles overlapping children matters.”

“I couldn’t place them highly enough. I think they are the best set of family barristers outside of London. The service that the chambers provides is superb. I tend to instruct them more than anyone else.” Chambers and Partners

Portrait of Barrister Frances Heaton QC

Frances Heaton KC

Joint Head of ChambersYear of Silk: 2012

Karl Rowley KC

Year of Silk: 2013
Lorraine Cavanagh - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Lorraine Cavanagh KC

Head of the Family GroupYear of Silk: 2019
Kate Burnell - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Kate Burnell KC

Year of Silk: 2021
Joseph O'Brien - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Joseph O'Brien KC

Head of Court of ProtectionYear of Silk: 2022
profile-pic

Jane Crowley KC

Associate MemberYear of Silk: 1998
profile-pic

John Vater KC

Associate MemberYear of Silk: 2012

Sonia Gal

Year of call: 1982
Julian Lloyd - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Julian Lloyd

Year of call: 1985
Jane Walker - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Jane Walker

Year of call: 1987
Simon Crabtree - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Simon Crabtree

Year of call: 1988

Paula Davitt

Year of call: 1988

Damian Sanders

Year of call: 1988

Clare Grundy

Year of call: 1989
Lisa Partington - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Lisa Partington

Year of call: 1989
Jonathan Thompson - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Jonathan Thompson

Year of call: 1990
Mark Roberts - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Mark Roberts

Year of call: 1991
Jonathan Taylor - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Jonathan Taylor

Year of call: 1991
Patricia Pratt - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Patricia Pratt

Year of call: 1991

Deborah Shield

Year of call: 1991
Fiona Walker - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Fiona Walker

Year of call: 1992
Ginnette Fitzharris - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Ginnette Fitzharris

Year of call: 1993

Rachael Banks

Year of call: 1993
Penelope Stanistreet - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Penelope Stanistreet

Year of call: 1993

Megan Rhys

Year of call: 1994
Justine Cole - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Justine Cole

Year of call: 1994
Helen Wren - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Helen Wrenn

Year of call: 1994

Lisa Houghton

Year of call: 1994

Sara Mann

Year of call: 1994
Pauline McHugh - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Pauline McHugh

Year of call: 1995

Archna Dawar

Year of call: 1996
Rachael Rowley Fox- Barrister at St John's Buildings

Rachael Rowley-Fox

Year of call: 1998

Susan Edwards

Year of call: 1998
Andrew Lord - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Andrew Lord

Year of call: 1999

Saima Bhat

Year of call: 1999
Rhian Livesley - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Rhian Livesley

Year of call: 2000
Nichola Quinney - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Nicola Quinney

Year of call: 2001
Andrew Wynne - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Andrew Wynne

Year of call: 2001
Sylvia Vir Singh - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Sylvia Vir Singh

Year of call: 2001
Mark Senior - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Mark Senior

Year of call: 2002
Gordon Semple - St John's Buildings Barristers Chambers

Gordon Semple

Year of call: 2003
Simon Pallo - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Simon Pallo

Year of call: 2003

Clodagh Maguire

Year of call: 2003

Stephen Brown

Year of call: 2003

Jade Abraham

Year of call: 2004

Philippa Waddell

Year of call: 2004

Catherine Rimmer

Year of call: 2004
Peta Harrison - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Louise Stanbury

Year of call: 2004
Peta Harrison - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Peta Harrison

Year of call: 2004
Helen Wilson - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Helen Wilson

Year of call: 2004

Shaun Spencer

Year of call: 2005
Lucy Marshall - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Lucy Marshall

Year of call: 2005

Neil Christian

Year of call: 2005

Frances De Navarro

Year of call: 2005
Kate Morley - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Kate Morley

Year of call: 2006
Helen Davey - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Helen Davey

Year of call: 2006

Kerrie Broughton

Year of call: 2006

Richard Veni

Year of call: 2006
Jane Wheatley - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Jane Wheatley

Year of call: 2007

Neil Owen-Casey

Year of call: 2007
Andrew Haggis - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Andrew Haggis

Year of call: 2007

Hannah Wood

Year of call: 2007

Josephine Chu

Year of call: 2007

Lance Dodgson

Year of call: 2007

Natalia Levine

Year of call: 2007
Cerys Williams - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Cerys Williams

Year of call: 2008

Elisabeth Cooper

Year of call: 2008
Hannah Walker - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Hannah Walker

Year of call: 2008
Matthew Carey - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Matthew Carey

Year of call: 2008
Jonathan Bellamy - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Jonathan Bellamy

Year of call: 2008

Lucinda France-Hayhurst

Year of call: 2009

Kerry Holt

Year of call: 2009
Ashley Singh - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Ashley Singh

Year of call: 2009
Elliw Roberts - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Elliw Roberts

Year of call: 2009
Ginny Whiteley - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Ginny Whiteley

Year of call: 2010
Jessica Southcote-Want - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Jessica Southcote-Want

Year of call: 2010

Zoe Cheng

Year of call: 2011

Rachael Hughes

Year of call: 2011

Laura Twist

Year of call: 2012
Eleanor Keehan- Barrister at St John's Buildings

Eleanor Keehan

Year of call: 2013

Callum Brook

Year of call: 2013

Harriet Jones

Year of call: 2014
Fatima Zafar - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Fatima Zafar

Year of call: 2015
Simon Heaney - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Simon Heaney

Year of call: 2017

Julie Richardson

Year of call: 2017

Jessica Purchase

Year of call: 2017

John McKenna

Year of call: 2018

Helen Varty

Year of call: 2019

Andrew Mountain

Year of call: 2019

Helen Maguire

Year of call: 2010
Michelle Burley - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Michelle Burley

Year of call: 2012
Kate Spence - Barrister at St John's Buildings

Kate Spence

Year of call: 2013
Navpreeth Gihair -Barrister at St John's Buildings

Navpreeth Gihair

Year of call: 2013

Niamh Ross

Year of call: 2016

Natalie Powell

Year of call: 2017

Helen Crowell

Year of call: 2019

Daniel Currie

Year of call: 2019

Rebecca Carr

Year of call: 2015
Pupil Barrister Alexandra Carrie

Alexandra Carrier

Year of call: 2020
Sara Harrison-Fisher - Pupil Barrister

Sara Harrison-Fisher

Year of call: 2018