Family – Children

                

 

“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:

• Abuse and Non-Accidental Injuries
• Fabricated or Induced Illness
• Addiction (parent and child addiction including addiction at birth)
• Disputed Expert Evidence
• Education and Special Educational Needs
• Jurisdictional Issues
• Neglect
• Deprivation of Liberty (Children)
• Court of Protection and Mental Health proceedings (see Court of Protection Team)

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:

• Arbitration – click here for information on our Family Law Arbitrators
• Child Arrangements
• Guardianship
• Human Rights
• Domestic Violence
• Jurisdiction
• Leave to Remove
• Parental Responsibility
• Prohibited Steps
• Specific Issue
• Wardship
• Parental Alienation
• Surrogacy
• Family Law Act applications (Non-Molestation, Occupation and Forced Marriage Protection Orders)

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