Clerking team

Gail Whelan

Family Clerk

David Harrald

Family Clerk

Elisa Clement

Family Clerk

Helen was called to the Bar by Inner Temple in 1994. She is an expert family law barrister, with considerable experience of children matters.

Helen is fluent in both Modern Greek and Spanish, and has a particular interest in international aspects of family law, including external relocation. She has given talks and lectures to solicitors, social workers and other professionals.

Children (Public and Private law)

Helen’s experience in children cases is extensive and she has appeared at all levels of the family court, frequently appearing before High Court Judges. She is regularly instructed to act on behalf of children, guardians, parents and step-parents, local authorities, intervenors and grandparents in both private and public law proceedings including care, adoption and special guardianship orders. She is a trusted and popular advocate who brings tenacity, attention to detail and a practical focus to complex issues.

Her cases have included:

  • The rights of parents to be fully involved in all aspects of their children’s upbringing, including spending time with them and making decisions relating to their education and health
  • Denied or concealed paternity
  • Domestic violence, neglect and emotional abuse of children
  • Serious sexual abuse
  • Homicide and suicide of both parents
  • Child abuse within an international, cultural or religious context
  • The return of children from Hague and Non-Hague Convention countries
  • International adoptions
  • Child-trafficking and prostitution
  • Factitious illness
  • Parents and children with learning difficulties, disabilities, and genetic disorders affecting parenting
  • Physical abuse across a range from bruising to baby-shaking and complex brain injury
  • Multiple sibling deaths within the context of possible inherited genetic defects
  • Fabricated allegations of children towards a parent
  • Court of Protection work
  • Instructions from the Official Solicitor.

Memberships

  • Family Law Bar Association
  • The Northern Circuit

Education

  • Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training