International Women's Month

Josephine Ann McElroy is a family specialist, with particular expertise in public and private children law cases. She also maintains a selective housing practice.

She is sought out for cases where the client is vulnerable and requires additional support due to her personable and considerate style. These include cases where clients have mental health or addiction issues; where interpreters or intermediaries are required; and where clients have been subject to domestic abuse. 

Clients speak highly of Jo's assistance: "I want to take this moment to thank you for your wonderful support yesterday. I have emailed [my solicitor] my request for you to represent me in future hearings."

Emma Easterbrook is a civil practitioner, and is very highly regarded by clients who appreciate her efficiency and attention to detail.

Emma originally practised criminal law and so is confident on her feet and unflappable in court! She then moved away from the independent Bar, working as a legal adviser in the magistrates court and then at Clare College Cambridge where she advised on a wide range of legal issues from property and employment law, to the correct interpretation and implementation of Covid regulations, and charity law.

Having returned to the independent Bar, she is quickly impressing clients and a recent testimonial read: "Emma is a genius! Against all expectations she managed to get yet another adjournment for 2 weeks, so [our client] lives to fight another day!" 

Catherine Sparks is a family barrister, representing parents, guardians, children and other parties in public and private law cases. She is calm, thorough and very good at building up trusting relationships with her clients.

At the start of her career, Catherine gained experience of criminal law and so understands the interaction between family and criminal cases. She has been instructed in several family cases where there are concurrent, serious criminal proceedings, including those where one of the parties is defending a murder charge. 

Catherine has an empathetic and understanding manner, which is reflected in client testimonials: "Catherine is lovely. She has a warm and approachable manner about her. She is very professional and very calm and measured in her advocacy."

Trisan Hyatt is a family practitioner, specialising in children cases and sought out for complex multi-day fact finds and final hearings. Legal 500 listed, she is described as "an outstanding barrister, and her knowledge is very diverse. She is very well organised and prepared."

Prior to coming to the independent Bar, Trisan was a university lecturer in sociology and psychology, knowledge which helps her when dealing with complex families. She has a growing practice in cases where there are allegations of parental alienation or other psychological issues.

Testimonials from her clients include "Trisan has a wonderful way with clients to put them at ease during the most challenging and stressful times in their lives" and "She is a very calm and experienced advocate who consistently builds a good rapport with clients at an early stage. She is child-focused and she is always well prepared on both the facts and the law." 

Kate Smith is a family practitioner with a growing reputation for cases in the Court of Protection, particularly in areas where the jurisdictions overlap.

With experience in criminal and civil proceedings, she is particularly good at dealing with cases with concurrent criminal proceedings, or where disclosure from the criminal courts is required. She is also highly skilled at cross examination. 

Kate is often instructed by local authorities in public children and CoP cases, but also acts for parents, guardians and children. She is experienced in DoLs cases which arise out of children being in care who then reach 18. 

Dr Maia Love trained as a surgeon before requalifying as a family barrister and is particularly in demand in cases where there are medical issues or experts such as complex non-accidental injury cases, and cases in the Court of Protection. 

Maia has quickly established herself as an expert in public children cases with significant medical issues. She has been praised for her skilful cross examination of medical experts, and is able to advise confidently on the significance of injuries to children in NAI cases. 

Maia is also expanding her practice to Court of Protection cases, particularly where people are detained in hospital settings where she offers great insight into the suitability and limitations of the setting. 

Queenet Awesu is a family barrister specialising in public and private children law proceedings. Queenet undertook a purely family pupillage with chambers given the strength of her commitment to this area of law. 

Prior to qualifying as a barrister, she worked at the University of Law pro bono clinic, and enjoys working with vulnerable clients to lessen the stress of proceedings. This is reflected in comments from solicitors which include:

"She goes above and beyond for our clients, who in turn are very appreciative of the high standard of client care provided by Queenet. She is not afraid to stand up for our clients in court when required, in order to help obtain the orders required to protect them from their abusers" and "Communication was another area where Ms Awesu excelled, keeping the client and myself informed at every stage. Ms Awesu showed a genuine commitment to my client’s best interests and provided reassurance and support which was particularly valuable given the client’s vulnerability."

Sophia Rolt is a specialist family pupil currently in her first 6. She will be on her feet on 31 March and accepting instructions in all areas of family law from that date. Sophia is also a qualified solicitor, and has worked as a legal adviser in the family court.