About
Neil specialises in family law and has been practising for nearly 30 years in this area. He has a very strong reputation in all areas of children law, particularly within complex private law and child protection cases involving allegations of sexual abuse, inflicted injury, and fabricated induced illness.
Experience
Neil has a wealth of experience representing applicant local authorities and respondent families, including children, in care proceedings. He is well-versed in child protection procedure within Local Authorities, including pre-proceedings. Much of his work encompasses complex issues of non-accidental/inflicted injury, sexual abuse, drug/alcohol addiction, neglect, mental health or where learning disabilities feature.
A persuasive, approachable advocate, he has a reassuringly no-nonsense approach to advising clients which puts them at their ease. Always meticulous in his preparation, he rapidly gets to the heart of the matter and offers sensitive and straightforward advice.
His recent work has included:
- Public Law proceedings acting on behalf of Local Authorities, parents or Children’s Guardians in applications for Emergency Protection Orders, Care or Supervision Orders and Secure Accommodation Orders
- Placement Order and Adoption applications
- Private Law applications for Special Guardianship Orders, Child Arrangements Orders (previously involving “residence” and “contact” or “custody” and “access” disputes) and is often instructed to act for rule 16.4 Guardians
- Specific Issue and Prohibited Steps Orders often featuring domestic or international “relocation” cases
- Financial remedy and financial provision pursuant to Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989.
Neil is frequently instructed by parents and relatives in private law children cases. He also regularly acts for children when a Children’s Guardian is appointed to represent their interests. Neil is often instructed to act in cases involving intractable parental disputes; allegations of serious abuse of the parent or the child; parental alienation; permission to relocate permanently outside the jurisdiction; and other aspects of parental rights and responsibility.
Neil is a qualified mediator and accepts instructions on a direct access basis.
Practice Areas
Private Law Children
Public Law Children
International Family Law
Dispute Resolution
Cases
http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/OJ/2016/B102.html
http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/OJ/2016/B113.html
Re AW (a Child: Application to revoke Placement Order: Leave to oppose Adoption)
[2013] EWHC 2967 (Fam)
Education and Professional Memberships
LLB Hons (Exon)
Inner Temple
Family Law Bar Association
Association of Lawyers for Children
Southern Eastern Circuit
