Year of Call
2017Solicitor
2010“[The client] said you were amazing and that she could not have had a better barrister to represent her. [She] said that she felt that you really fought her corner and were extremely supportive.”
Instructing solicitor
Biography
Craig is a family law specialist with particular expertise in cases involving children. He qualified as a solicitor in 2010, and practised as a solicitor-advocate with higher rights of audience before transferring to the Bar in 2017. Whilst a solicitor, Craig was a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel, a recognised quality standard for practitioners representing children in children law proceedings.
Craig is a knowledgeable and experienced barrister, with a friendly and personable nature. He takes the time to explain his advice clearly to clients and to ensure that they understand their position so that they can make a decision about the best way forward. Recent feedback from clients includes: "[The client] is happy with the outcome and thanks you for your efforts. She asked me to specifically thank you for taking the time to speak to her after the hearing and explain the case to her in a way she understood." His background as a solicitor working with families, and from time spent out of practice working in-house with a national advisory charity assisting litigants in person means that he is particularly good at building trusting relationships with clients.
Craig is a trained QLR, and undertakes hearings in that role.
Craig is committed to pro bono work, and supports the work of Advocate. He recently assisted a mother called Molly who was at risk of losing her child. Her story is featured on the Advocate website: click here to read more.
Children law (public)
Craig acts in public law children cases representing parents, children (through their guardians) and local authorities. He is very experienced at dealing with allegations of all types of abuse, including physical, psychological, sexual and neglect. He is very experienced and able to quickly get to the heart of the issues in a case.
Craig has significant experience advising and representing parents who are under a vulnerability and need assistance from an intermediary. He also accepts instructions on behalf of the Official Solicitor where a client lacks capacity to give instructions.
Children law (private)
Craig has a lot of experience at dealing with applications relating to children, primarily dealing with their residence after relationship breakdown and contact with the non-resident parent. He is able to deal with proceedings from the initial contact to making the court application, fact finding hearings and ultimately resolving the case. He is also experienced at advising on specific issue applications and prohibited steps applications.
Craig is calm and compassionate, and very good at working with parents in very stressful situations to find a suitable settlement if that is possible. If not, he is a forceful and resolute advocate, fighting for the best result for his clients.
Family finances
Craig often represents clients in financial dispute resolution proceedings, and is very knowledgeable about the law and process for these cases. He is experienced at dealing with cases from straightforward division of assets, to those involving business assets, pensions and assets held abroad or in trust. He is also experienced at advising on complex property issues, including claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.
Craig is able to advise in respect of injunctive measures under s.37 Matrimonial Causes Act 1973
Craig is equally adept at negotiating settlements outside of court (at any stage of the proceedings), and at representing his clients in a pressurised court environment. He is diligent at advising his clients about the process and the potential outcomes to allow them to make the best decisions about the way forward.
Domestic abuse
Craig represents parties in applications for protective injunctions.
Instruct
To instruct Craig please contact Jay Dorton or Stephen Bush.
Publications and seminars
Craig presented a client seminar in spring 2021 about the landscape of family law post-Brexit.
The case of LB of Southwark v F [2017] EWHC 2189 (Fam) attracted a lot of commentary in the trade press, for example in Family Law Week.
Education
- LL.B.(Hons) University of London
- LLM International Economic Law, Birkbeck University of London
Notable Cases
Re P (Children): Represented a respondent mother in proceedings for a child arrangements order during heavily contested fact-finding hearing. He was able to establish the facts sought on behalf of his client to achieve the necessary findings along with a finding the father had been coercive and controlling
Re. BB (Public Law Children): In complex public law proceedings, Craig represented a mother who had been the victim of inter-generational sexual abuse and who had learning difficulties. Craig represented the mother throughout the proceedings, giving robust, tailored advice. The court was persuaded that the mother ought to be given an opportunity to care for the children.
London Borough of Southwark v F [2017] EWHC 2189 (Fam): Represented the respondent mother pro bono on an application for a Deprivation of Liberty order.
A (Family placements or Foster-care), Re [2017] EWFC B111: Represented Special Guardians in a case where there were complex family relationships described as 'toxic' by the judge and his clients were under pressure to relinquish their role.