Child Law

Child law is a legal practice focused on all laws and policies associated with children. The Family team at St Pauls Chambers routinely offer child law advice and represent clients in both public law (care) proceedings and private law proceedings (disputes between parents/carers about issues such as where a child should live, involving child custody laws).

Our Head of Chambers, Simon Bickler QC, sits as a Recorder in the Family Court and in his private practice represents clients in a whole range of complex child law cases, including those involving removal from the jurisdiction and non-accidental injury.

The Family team represents parents, local authorities, and Children’s Guardians in care proceedings of every kind. We regularly deliver training to solicitors on the latest case law and implications of new legislation and Practice Directions.

Members act for parents in private law proceedings involving:

• Applications for Child Arrangements Orders
• Specific Issue Orders and Prohibited Steps Orders
• Non-molestation orders and other emergency remedies under Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996
• Cases with an international element, including jurisdiction disputes subject to the Hague Conventions and applications to remove a child temporarily from the jurisdiction.

Some members of chambers undertake direct access work, in appropriate cases.

If you are interested in instructing a member of the Family team, please speak to the clerks or email us at [email protected].