Private Law

Ann’s private law practice involves representing both the applicant and the respondent along with 16.4 Guardians.  She is instructed in complex private law matters often involving fact findings relating to allegations of domestic violence, coercive controlling behaviour and parental alienation matters.

Public Law

Ann’s public law practice involves representing Local Authorities, parents, Guardians and other interested parties.  She is instructed in complex public law and adoption matters involving non-accidental injuries, sexual and physical child abuse. Ann has an interest in Fabricated Induced Illness cases. Ann has dealt with Inherent Jurisdiction matters in the High Court involving Wardship, Female Genital Mutilation and Forced Marriage Protection Orders.

Human Rights

Ann’s practice has involved abduction and leave to remove cases.  Ann is experienced in dealing with post-care applications including applications for the discharge of care orders, leave to oppose adoption orders and contested adoptions.  

Recent Cases

• Re Z (June 2024) - Ann acted for the mother.  This case involved allegations of coercive controlling behaviour, domestic violence and sexual abuse.  It required fact finding to determine the factual matrix upon which welfare decisions could be made including child arrangements order which would protect the safety and well-being of the child and the parent with whom the child lives, without exposing them to the risk of further harm.  Findings were made in respect of all of the seventeen allegations that the mother sought.
• Prospective Adopters v London Borough of Ealing & Ors [2023] EWFC 294 - Ann acted for the mother. This is a case where the mother opposed the making of an adoption order.  The case required the evaluation of child’s welfare against the rights and claims of birth parents.
• Re V and N (March 2023) - This is a case where a one month old baby was presented with significant unexplained bruising and found to have a parietal skull fracture.  The case required the expert evidence of a paediatrician and paediatric radiologist as well as the forensic cross examination and analysis of the expert evidence. No findings were made against the mother.  Ann acted for the mother.
• Re J (August 2022) - This case was about the care provisions for a severely neurodisabled young person.  The case required the forensic cross examination of a medical expert, the analysis of conflicting medical evidence and the analysis of how that evidence informed care planning. The Local Authority’s application for a full Care Order was refused.  Ann represented the mother.
• Re A (September 2019) - Ann acted for the Local Authority.  This was a case involving Female Genital Mutilation and Forced Marriage.  It required the evaluation of risk and an analysis of what decisions could be made to secure the safety of the young person without exposing them to further risk of harm.  Ann secured the safe return of the child to the United Kingdom. The case was heard by Mrs Justice Lieven.

Publications

• “Management of Disclosure by Local Authorities in public law proceedings” (Lexis Nexis Family Law, October 2024, co-authored with Gemma Taylor KC)
• Lexis Nexis looseleaf publication on Emergency Remedies in the Family Court (contributing author)
• “The new ‘normal’? - Remote hearings and technology” (27.4.2020)
• “UKSC rules it is not within the scope of parental responsibility to consent to living arrangements for a 16-17 year old which would otherwise amount to a deprivation of liberty under Article 5”  (31.10.2019)