01604 210 979

Specialist areas
Adoption and Special Guardianship
Care Proceedings
Child Arrangements
Representation of Children

Profile
Lianne Murphy is a highly experienced child law practitioner specialising in public law proceedings. She is adept at communicating with lay clients of all ages and cognitive abilities, managing each case with care and compassion. She works hard to ensure a level playing field for all clients, enabling them to fully engage with the legal process. Lianne’s highly developed forensic skills and medico-legal knowledge make her well suited to the rigorous demands of Non-Accidental Injury and Fabricated and Induced Illness cases. She is regularly led by King’s Counsel and often acts as a Leading Junior Counsel in more complex proceedings.

Lianne represents parents, children’s guardians, competent children and intervenors in a wide range of cases:

• Serious non-accidental injury
• Fabricated and/or induced illness, including hospital intervenors
• Female Genital Mutilation
• Concurrent criminal proceedings
• Human Rights Act claims arising from public law proceedings
• Chronic neglect
• Drug and alcohol abuse (including FDAC proceedings)
• Special Guardianship

Education
Inns of Court School of Law (2001)

Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
Lincoln’s Inn

What our clients are saying
Lianne Murphy is described as having ‘A first-class mind whose attention to detail in medical cases is second to none.” She is renowned for her in depth knowledge of Human Rights.

Lianne has consistently been listed as a leading junior in Family and Children Law in the Legal 500.

Cases
Z (A Child), Re [2020] EWFC B13

P (A Child), Re [2018] EWCA Civ 720 ([2018] 1 WLR 4486, [2018] 2 FLR 893, [2018] 3 FCR 9, [2018] EWCA Civ 720, [2018] WLR 4486, [2018] WLR(D) 228;

M (Care Proceedings: Finding of Fact Hearing: Fractures) [2017] EWFC B50 (14 July 2017)

Northamptonshire County Council v AS and Others [2015] EWCH 199

Devjee v Patel [2006] EWCA Civ 1211

Pro bono work
Lianne is very much committed to pro bono representation and is willing to continue to represent clients in circumstances were funding is no longer available and the interests of justice require continued representation.

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01604 210 979

Specialist areas
Adoption and Special Guardianship
Care Proceedings
Child Arrangements

Profile
Stuart Yeung is an experienced child law practitioner specialising in public and private law proceedings. Stuart acts on behalf of local authorities, parents, children and intervenors on the Midlands Circuit. Acting on behalf of local authorities usually involves numerous parties and complex issues arising out of serious non-accidental injury and/or death and complex medical issues. Stuart employs a proactive, careful and sensitive approach to his preparation, has good case management skills and the ability to identify key issues and communicate effectively with professional and lay clients alike.

Stuart’s experience and current practice includes cases involving:

• Serious non-accidental injury
• Fabricated and/or induced illness, including hospital intervenors
• Female Genital Mutilation
• Sexual abuse
• Concurrent criminal proceedings
• Human Rights Act claims arising from public law proceedings
• Chronic neglect
• Drug and alcohol abuse (including FDAC proceedings)
• Adoption
• Special Guardianship
• Domestic Violence
• Child arrangements (formerly residence and contact) disputes, including intractable contact disputes

Education
University:
Leicester Polytechnic (1988) LL.B (Hons)
Law School:
Inns of Court School of Law (1989)

Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
Inner Temple
Midlands Circuit
Stuart is able to take instructions under the Public Access scheme.
Stuart is a registered pupil supervisor

Cases
Re W-A (Children: Foreign Conviction) [2022] EWCA Civ 1118

A County Council v CAFCASS [2019] EWHC 2369 (Fam)

Northamptonshire County Council v AB & CD [2019] EWHC 1807 (Fam)

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01604 210 979

Specialist areas
Adoption and Special Guardianship
Care Proceedings
Child Arrangements
Domestic Violence

Profile
Elizabeth Gooderham is a very experienced advocate who, after an early career at the bar undertaking both criminal and family law now specialises solely in all aspects of child-care law.

Elizabeth specialises in public and complex private law proceedings. Elizabeth is a thorough and detailed advocate with an ability to get to the heart of the matter. She has a sensitive and understanding approach when dealing with vulnerable clients, including those with mental health difficulties, young parents and competent children.

Elizabeth acts on behalf of local authorities, parents, children’s guardians, competent children and intervenors in a wide range of cases, including:

• Serious non-accidental injury
• Sexual abuse
• Concurrent criminal proceedings
• Chronic neglect
• Drug and alcohol abuse (including FDAC proceedings)
• Parents with mental health difficulties
• Adoption
• Special Guardianship
• Domestic Violence
• Child arrangements disputes
• Parental alienation

Education
University:
University of Derby (2000)

Law School:
Inns of Court School of Law (2001)

Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
Inner Temple
Midland Circuit

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01604 210 979

Specialist areas
Adoption and Special Guardianship
Care Proceedings
Child Arrangements
Domestic Violence

Profile
Beginning her career in the Criminal Courts, and later expanding and developing her practice to specialise in Public (Care) and Private Law Children matters, Jenna has earned her a deserved reputation amongst solicitors and the judiciary as a formidable advocate. Her wealth of experience extends across all tiers of the judicial system, from the Magistrates and Youth Court, through the Crown and County Court to the High Court and Court of Appeal.

As an advocate for Parents, Intervenors and Children/Guardians, Jenna is adept at handling cases involving:

• Domestic Abuse – representing both victims and perpetrators
• Sexual Abuse
• Severe Neglect
• Vulnerable parents, including those with learning disabilities
• Drug/alcohol addictions and dependency issues
• Intractable contact disputes

Education
Leicester University, LLB Hons (2001)
Nottingham Law School; Bar Vocational Course – Very Competent (2002)

Appointments and Memberships
Lincoln’s inn
Midland Circuit
• Bar Council’s Direct Public Access scheme
• Jenna is a registered pupil supervisor

What our clients are saying
Jenna is a diligent, committed and effective advocate who always strives to achieve the best outcome for those she represents whilst giving well-founded and realistic advice. She is known for her ability to effectively deal with conflict and potential hostility. A particular strength is her ability to skilfully challenge expert and professional witnesses.

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hm@senatehousechambers.com | 01604 210 979

Specialist areas
Care Proceedings
Non-accidental injury
Perplexing presentation/ fabricated & induced illness
Non-accidental injury, Including child death
Complex medical evidence.

Profile
Hannah has been consistently ranked in the Legal 500 as a Tier 1 Leading Junior in Children Act cases for several years.

In February 2023, Hannah was appointed as assistant Coroner for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to support the Senior and Area Coroners across the full range of Coroner’s duties for the county, including presiding over inquests.

Hannah has significant experience and expertise in Public Law Children matters, and some private law children in cases where serious allegations are made. A specialist in complex proceedings, Hannah regularly appears in cases involving the most serious of allegations and has a wealth of experience both in being led by King’s Counsel and in leading other junior members of Chambers. Hannah regularly appears in High Court proceedings.

Hannah acts on behalf of Local Authorities, parents, children and interveners in a wide range of cases including:

• Cases involving child death
• Serious non-accidental injury
• Fabricated and induced illness
• Admission of children to hospital for treatment
• Sexual abuse

Hannah is routinely requested in cases where a detailed and forensic approach is required, her advocacy style is described as formidable and she is an extremely popular choice for lay and professional clients alike, particularly where cases require expert cross-examination. Hannah is regularly instructed in cases involving very complex medical evidence, she has a sound grasp of medical conditions and processes and understands how to forensically explore and challenge medical evidence in a way that penetrates the real issues at the heart of a case, whilst also ensuring that this sometimes impenetrable medical terminology is entirely understandable for the benefit of lay and professional clients alike.

Education
University: Nottingham Trent University (LLB 1st Class)
Law School: Nottingham Law School

Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
Inner Temple

Judicial Appointments
Assistant Coroner 2023

What our clients are saying
Legal 500 2023 – “Hannah is one of the best junior barristers in children’s law work. She is well known for having the expertise and experience to manage the most serious cases including those involving physical, sexual and emotional harm and cases concerning the fatality of a child. She is the go-to barrister who work extremely hard and is a formidable advocate.”

Chambers & Partners 2022 – “A respected barrister with a particular focus on public law proceedings. She is noted for her expert representation of parents but also acts for local authorities and children. She has experience in the Court of appeal.” “She has the ability to take on any issue even at the last minute. She works tirelessly on cases that she is instructed on, bringing a great deal of experience. She is a persuasive Court advocate.” “A magnet for complex family work in her area.”

Reported Cases
Central Bedfordshire Council v F & Ors [2022] EWFC 130

Y (Leave to oppose adoption) [2020] EWCA Civ 1287

Z (A Child), Re [2020] EWFC B13

Northamptonshire County Council v AB & Anor [2019] EWHC 1807 (Fam)

O (A Child): Interim Care Order [2019] EWCA Civ 583

H-L (Children: Summary Dismissal of Care Proceedings) [2019] EWCA Civ 704

P (A Child), Re [2018] EWCA Civ 720

ES (A Child), Re [2017] EWFC B96

ED, Re [2015] EWFC B84

X County Council v AB & CD [2015] EWFC 98

NCC v L & Anor [2014] EWHC 4828 (Fam)

Cooke, R (on the application of) v Director of Public Prosecutions [2008] EWHC 2703 (Admin)

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01604 210 979

Specialist areas
Adoption and Special Guardianship
Care Proceedings
Child Arrangements
Domestic Violence

Profile
Abigail is an experienced, diligent and respected advocate specialising in public and private law relating to children.

The empathy and sensitivity she shows towards her clients means she is frequently instructed to act in complex cases especially those involving vulnerable clients.

Abigail is the Head of the Private Law Team at Senate House Chambers. Abigail strives to achieve the best outcome for her client and is known for providing realistic and well-founded advice. She has extensive experience in negotiating consent orders on behalf of clients where previous agreement has not been possible and where detail has been key.

Abigail is regularly instructed in cases involving:

• Applications for contact including cases requiring the introduction or reinstatement of contact
• Change of residence including shared residence
• Parental alienation / malign influence
• Sexual abuse
• Drugs and alcohol
• Mental health concerns
• Safeguarding concerns including the involvement of social services

Her care practice regularly sees her representing parents, local authorities, interveners and children’s guardians and her experience extends to cases involving:

• Non accidental injury including “shaken baby syndrome”
• Severe neglect
• Sexual abuse including incest and in cases where a subject child is an alleged abuser
• Alcohol and drug dependency
• Domestic abuse to include allegations of the murder of a parent
• Cognitive limitations or vulnerabilities to include instruction from the Official Solicitor and instructions direct from a child
• Secure accommodation

Education
University:
University of East Anglia (2005)

Law School:
Nottingham (2006)

Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
Middle Temple

What our clients are saying
Abigail is one of a handful of barristers whom I immediately think of when a difficult case with labyrinthine facts and complex issues lands on my desk. If there’s a fight to be had she has the heart, knowledge, expertise and intellectual armoury to meet the challenge and meet it well.

Abigail is listed as a leading junior in Family and Children Law in the legal 500.

Cases
B (a child) [2014] EWCC B55 (fam)

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01604 210 979

Specialist areas
Adoption and Special Guardianship
Care Proceedings
Child Arrangements
Domestic Violence
Financial Remedy Proceedings

Profile
Andrew has developed a strong reputation in all areas of Family Disputes. He is regularly instructed in complex private and public law cases. He has developed a reputation as a fearless advocate who dispenses with advice in a frank and down to earth manner.

Professional clients can expect Andrew to be a team player, who goes the extra mile and values the importance of working together. Andrew is instructed across all levels of court allocation. He regularly deals with complex physical and sexual abuse allegations, and within the private law sphere has developed a trusted reputation for cases involving complex parental alienation.

Andrew represents Parents, Local Authorities, Children (directly or through their guardian), intervenors, grandparents and divorcees. Andrew without doubt has an ability to get straight to the point, he is a strong negotiator, and a resolute cross examiner.

Andrew is regularly instructed in cases involving complex issues such as; international relocation, parental alienation, significant substance misuse, mental health issues, domestic violence and non-accidental injury.

Andrew has participated as both Appellant and Respondent in many appeal hearings. A number of those appeals have resulted in re-hearings being directed.

Andrew also regularly accepts instructions directly from members of the public under the Direct Access scheme and sees many referrals as a consequence of his successes.

Education
University:
University of Sussex LL.B (Hons) Law (2009):
University of Edinburgh LL.M Law (2010)
Law School:
BPP Law School (London)
Bar Professional Training Course (2011)

Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn

What our clients are saying
Andrew is well known for getting results and having a strong presence in the court room. Known for good communication skills, robust advice, and a forensic cross examiner.

Cases

Re A & B [2022] EWFC 44

Bedford Borough Council v CD & Ors (Rev 1) [2020] EWHC 3298 (Fam)

Bedford Borough Council v CD & Ors (Rev 1) [2020] EWHC 1996 (Fam)

Re B (A Child) [2020] EWFC 34

Re B [2023] Andrew represented a Local Authority in a legally complex case where there was a positively assessed special guardian, and a known prospective adopter, neither of which the child lived with at the time of the final hearing. Andrew successfully obtained care and placement orders on behalf of the Local Authority following legal argument.

Re DS [2022] Andrew represented a father where allegations were made of the most serious form of sexual abuse against both him and his brother in law. After a 10 day fact find where two sets of care proceedings were consolidated, no findings were made against Andrew’s client, who was exonerated, immediately allowed to return to the family home and the care proceedings were dismissed.

Re LM [2022] Andrew, led by Kings Counsel, gave difficult advice to compromise an appeal brought against his client in the Court of Appeal, recognising the decision of the first instance Judge and the actions of his client was not sustainable in law.

Re RM [2022] Andrew represented a father where significant historic findings had been made against him at an earlier fact find hearing and an application for further assessment of him had been refused. Following Andrew’s cross examination at the welfare hearing where care and placement orders were sought, the Judge acceded to Andrew’s application for expert risk assessment and an adjournment of the final hearing for that assessment to be completed.

Re D [2022] Andrew represented maternal family members during a lengthy welfare hearing at the High Court to determine where a child would live following the killing of her mother by the father. The father was held on remand for murder throughout the duration of the trial.

Re C [2022] Andrew sought an order for adoption on behalf of foster carers in a very complex case where the foster carers had cared for a child for almost 3 years at the time of the hearing, but where there was a positively assessed family member and the added complexity of linked care proceedings in relation to a sibling child being heard at the same time.

Re E [2021] Andrew represented a mother, led by Queens Counsel, where the parents were in the pool of possible perpetrators following discovery of two rib fracture during a routine X-Ray. Andrew’s team brought about the withdrawal of the case by the Local Authority and the parents were exonerated.

Re T [2021] Andrew successfully sought the transfer of living arrangements for two sibling children from the mother to the father where there had been earlier findings of parental alienation and a failed therapeutic process.

Re RN [2021] Andrew successfully sought findings on behalf of his client of the falsification of various allegations of domestic abuse including that the mother had falsified an allegation of attempted murder.

Re L [2021] Andrew dealt with a complex conjoined cases where the birth parents sought contact with a previously adopted sibling group in private proceedings at the same time as adoptive family were involved in public law proceedings following the breakdown of the adoptive placement.

Re CE (2020)
Andrew appeared for a mother, accused of parental alienation as assessed by a psychologist. Andrew was instructed late in the proceedings when a fact find, and welfare hearing were listed. His advice, and representation brought about agreement to the proceedings and resulted in the vacating of the fact find hearing and the child remaining in the care of his client.

Re B (2020)
On behalf of the children, Andrew successfully opposed an appeal brought by the parents and the children were removed into foster care and the conclusion of the appellate process.

Re TE (2020)
Andrew represented a father who faced a number of allegations of domestic violence over a decade. Following the fact find hearing the court found those allegations not proven and went on to find the mother was the aggressor in the relationship.

Re J (2020)
Andrew appeared as junior for a father to the sibling of a murdered child in the High Court. The case involved complex issues of non-disclosure, significant police disclosure, and a forensic enquiry into the conduct of foster carers at the welfare stage.

Re P (2019)
Andrew acted for the children where he sought the transfer of living arrangements of two children who were living with the mother to their father’s care. This was a complex parental alienation case where the mother had previously made serious allegations of abuse against the father. The children were successfully transitioned at the conclusion of the case.

Re H (2019)
Andrew appeared for a mother who made allegations of significant domestic violence and coercive control, including gaslighting and influence of the child. The proceedings had jurisdictional issues and the court ultimately found all the allegations made by the mother proven.

Re RJ (2018)
Andrew represented a father in a parental alienation case who faced twelve allegations of physical abuse against his child made by the mother. The court found none of these allegations proven and went on to find that the mother had alienated the children from the father and that the child was at risk of significant harm in the care of the mother.

Re PD (2018)
Andrew appeared on behalf of the mother and successfully sought an order for no direct contact between a child and her father. The court made the order sought by Andrew following his cross examination of a consultant psychiatrist, community psychiatric nurse, and CAFCASS officer who had all recommended that there be direct contact between the father and the child.

Re HW (2017) On behalf of a father, Andrew successfully appealed the decision of the lower court to make care and placement orders following a final hearing. The appeal consisted of two days of legal argument and was opposed by both the Local Authority and the children’s guardian. The appeal was allowed, and the matter listed for rehearing.

Re EW (2016)
Andrew, acting for a local authority, successfully appealed the decision of a District Judge to adjourn care and placement order applications for a further six months to allow time for the mother to engage in further theory. This was following a fully contested 7-day trial. The appeal consisted of two days of legal argument and was opposed by the legal teams on behalf of the mother and father.

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Specialist areas
Adoption and Special Guardianship
Care Proceedings
Child Arrangements
Domestic Violence

Profile
Gary Noble is an experienced child law practitioner having practised as a Solicitor Advocate prior to being called to the Bar. Gary specialises in public law proceedings and also accepts instructions in private law proceedings. Having worked both in private practice as a member of the Law Society Children Panel and for a Local Authority Gary has a wealth of experience in public law proceedings and is able to see the case from the perspective of all parties, giving his clients the benefit of this experience. Gary provides clear and compassionate advice to all his clients throughout proceedings.

Gary acts on behalf of local authorities, parents, children’s guardians, competent children and intervenors in a wide range of cases including:

• Non-Accidental Injury
• Parental Alienation
• Sexual Abuse
• Inherent Jurisdiction
• Forced Marriage
• Chronic Neglect
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse (including FDAC proceedings)
• Adoption
• Special Guardianship
• Domestic Violence
• Child Arrangements Disputes

Education
University:
Bucks New University (2010)
Law School:
BPP London (2012)

Memberships
Middle Temple

What our clients are saying
Gary is highly proficient in all that he does, from private law disputes to complex care matters. Gary is a tenacious and vigorous advocate. He is incredibly approachable and has an outstanding reputation as an excellent all-round advocate

Cases
ES (A Child) [2017] EWFC B96
BT & GT (Children: Twins- Adoption) [2018] EWFC 76
H-L (Children Summary Dismissal of Care Proceedings) [2019] EWCA Civ 704

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01604 210 979

Inn of Court: Inner Temple

Specialist areas
Adoption and Special Guardianship
Care Proceedings
Child Arrangements
Domestic Violence

Profile
Ruby undertakes work in Public and Private Children Law and Family Law Act matters and has represented local authorities, parents, Children’s Guardians and grandparents in both interim and final hearings. Ruby regularly deals with cases concerning the following issues:
• Domestic violence
• Chronic neglect
• Cases involving alcohol and drug misuse, including cases allocated to the FDAC court
• Child Arrangements Orders, including intractable contact disputes
• Special guardianship
• Adoption
• Prohibited Steps Orders/ Specific Issue Orders
• Non-Molestation Orders/ Occupation Orders

Education
University:
University of Surrey, Law LLB, 2:1 (2017)

Law School:
BPP Holborn, BPTC, Very Competent (2019)

Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
Inner Temple

What our clients are saying
“She has got to grips with the issues immediately…and conducted herself with impressive grace and professionalism. As a result of what I have seen, I will be instructing Ruby in the future and will be recommending her to colleagues.”

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01604 210 979


Specialist areas
Care Proceedings
Child Arrangements
Domestic Violence
Adoption and Special Guardianship

Profile
Samuel undertakes work in Public and Private Children Law and Family Law Act matters and has represented Local Authorities, parents, Children’s Guardians and Grandparents. Samuel’s practice includes cases involving:

• Domestic Violence
• Cases involving alcohol and drug misuse, including cases allocated to the FDAC Court
• Mental health
• Neglect
• Special guardianship
• Adoption
• Prohibited Steps Orders and Specific Issue Orders
• Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders
• Appeals

Background
Prior to joining Senate House Chambers, Samuel served five years in the British Army as an Ammunition Technician, a specialist in explosives, bomb disposal and all types of ammunition. As a No. 2 Advanced Explosive Operator, he was the first line of management for junior soldiers and second in command within a bomb disposal team, on emergency response to counter terrorism. During this time, Samuel was deployed on numerous international operations, including the United States, Belize and multiple tours of Afghanistan.

Education
Nottingham Law School, Barrister’s Training Course
Nottingham Trent University, LLB Law

Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
The Honourable Society of Middle Temple

Testimonials
“Mr Arksey shows incredible attention to detail, he is methodical and a perfectionist”.
“Hugely impressive in advocacy and demeanour”.

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