Care Proceedings & Adoption

7BR members are regularly instructed in complex public law cases involving children such as cases:

• alleging non-accidental injury;
• including serious head injury, factitious illness by proxy or other physical injury, and;
• involving emotional and/or sexual abuse.

Although frequently instructed by local authorities, members of the team are equally sought-after for committed representation of parents, grandparents, extended family members where applicable and, of course, children themselves. Members of the team pride themselves on an ability to facilitate the testimony of children in a sensitive manner, where oral evidence from children is necessary. Likewise, there is considerable experience within the team in respect of acting for teenage clients or adult clients with learning difficulties.

A number of members have acquired substantial experience in medico-legal work and are adept at handling the most serious and complex cases where difficult medical or psychiatric issues arise. Most members of the team have practised or continue to practice in family, civil and criminal jurisdictions, and are therefore fully cognisant of the issues which may arise where there are parallel or related proceedings.