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Gill Honeyman

Call 2011 | Barrister

About

Gill Honeyman is a specialist in complex children’s cases, both public and private law. She is an effective, tenacious advocate and skilled negotiator. Known as a team player, her efficiency, responsiveness, client-care skills, and commitment are highly prized by those who instruct her. Gill was appointed as a Family Recorder in 2020.

Gill is a co-author of the Dictionary of Public Children Law.

Experience

Gill is often instructed on behalf of children’s guardians, who value her calm, sensitive and child-centred approach as well as her comprehensive grasp of legal and evidential issues. 

When she acts for parents, Gill will always give them a realistic appraisal of their prospects of success and throughout her involvement offers practical advice about how they can improve their chances. She forms excellent working relationships with clients, who know that she will always “fight their corner”. 

Gill is frequently instructed in high-conflict and complex private law disputes, often involving allegations of domestic abuse, coercive control and/or parental alienation. She is frequently instructed to represent the children caught up in these disputes, often by NYAS or Cafcass Legal. She also represents competent children who do not require a guardian. 

She is also experienced in cases with an international element, including Hague Convention and non-Hague summary return applications. 

Gill has huge experience in public law, including:  

  • fact-finding hearings in respect of serious head injuries 
  • allegations of sexual abuse
  • radicalisation cases
  • Children with mental illness and/or extreme self-harming behaviours
  • secure accommodation
  • Deprivation of liberty
  • Use of intermediaries for vulnerable witnesses and parties 
  • Jurisdictional issues
  • Contested adoption

 With a background as a child-care solicitor, she is often chosen to represent competent children as well as young parents in care proceedings who are minors themselves.  

Her skeleton arguments and written submissions are often praised for their clarity and persuasiveness. 

Immediately before joining the Bar Gill worked at Cafcass Legal, a small team of lawyers who represent children in complex High Court litigation, in tandem with specialist High Court Team guardians. Prior to that she was a freelance advocate and was on the Children Panel from 1992.

Practice Areas

Public Law Children

Private Law Children

International

Education and Professional Memberships

2.1 in English from Bristol University 

CPE and Law Society Finals at Bristol Polytechnic 

Open University Diploma in Spanish 

Association of Lawyers for Children 

Family Bar Association 

Grays Inn 

Cases

Re W (Care Proceedings) [2023] EWCA Civ 1251

C (Child: Ability to Instruct Solicitor) [2023] EWCA Civ 889

Re EQ [2016] EWHC 3418 (Fam) 

W (A Child) [2016] EWCA Civ 1051 

London Borough Of Brent v A & B [2016] EWFC B102 

P (A Child) [2016] EWCA Civ 3 

Re B [2015] EWHC 2735 (Fam) 

RCW v A Local Authority (No.2): Re SB [2013] EWHC 2129 (Fam) 

Tower Hamlets London Borough Council v MK and Others [2012] EWHC 426 (Fam) 

D v N and D (By Her Guardian Ad Litem) [2011] 2 FLR 464 

WF v FJ, BF and RF (Abduction: Child’s Objections) [2011] 1 FLR 1153 

Re S (Wardship: Stranded Spouses) [2010] EWHC 1669 (Fam) 

Publications

Co-author of Dictionary of Public Children Law 2024 (Class Legal)

Testimonials

“Gill has a forensic intelligence and is able to adapt her advocacy to the particular circumstances of the case and her client to achieve the best possible outcome.” Legal 500 2024, Ranked: Tier 5

Gill is said to “employ her thoroughness and her personal warmth to all her clients’ benefit. Whilst she will fight their corner, she is not afraid of giving robust advice when necessary and never forgets that there is a child at the centre of family court disputes.” 

‘Is excellent with parents and other family members in care proceedings and is patient when dealing with people at their lowest emotional ebb’ 

(Gill is) willing to spend considerable time with clients…. conscientious and thorough when providing notes and is a calming influence on clients…. makes sure they are aware of all the potential outcomes… a team player who operates very efficiently with solicitors and understands their needs.’ 

(Gill has)…’Amazing attention to detail…really good at waiting and listening, never misses a trick, then asks the killer question—she will say something that stops everyone in their tracks.’ 

‘Often gets good results in not the best of circumstances…great with clients, particularly young mothers who are not much more than children themselves.’