Year of Call
2013Biography
Kate is a family law specialist who is building a successful career in children cases, both private and public. She accepts instructions in all aspects of children law work, and is experienced at dealing with a wide range of applications and allegations.
Kate is a bright and accomplished advocate bringing a breadth of knowledge and experience to all of her work. She trained in all of Chambers practice areas, and her understanding of the law and procedure in different specialisms make her particularly suitable for cases where there is a cross over between jurisdictions. She uses the skills she has obtained from different areas across her practice, merging the advocacy skills of the criminal barrister with the sensitive, empathetic approach of the family specialist and the forensic techniques of the civil team.
Kate is charming, friendly, and builds strong working relationships with those who instruct her. She is always a popular choice with solicitors and clients, remaining calm and good humoured in very difficult cases but being unafraid to take a fierce approach in court.
Children law (private)
Kate undertakes all types of private children work, working with families to resolve issues relating to residence and contact for children after relationship breakdown.
Kate has extensive experience of obtaining protective orders (such as non-molestation orders and occupation orders) and is able to pick up cases at short notice, assimilate the facts and put forward strong legal arguments for the orders required.
Kate's civil property practice means that she is also very experienced at dealing with transfers of tenancy, and is a very good choice for cases where there are property issues to be resolved.
Once orders are in place (either following settlement or a hearing) Kate often advises on breaches of those orders and enforcement. She has experience of contempt and committal proceedings.
Children law (public)
Kate acts in public law children cases for local authorities, parents and other parties. She has experience of acting in cases where there are allegations of non-accidental injury, neglect and other abuse and accepts instructions in cases of factitious or induced illness and sexual abuse.
Kate's background in family and criminal law means that she is particularly good at dealing with fact finding hearings and dealing with sensitive allegations and vulnerable witnesses. She is skilled at cross examination.
Kate deals with all hearings in public law proceedings from interim care and supervision hearings to complex fact finding hearings, and lengthy final hearings. She is clear and straightforward in her advice and her advocacy.
Court of Protection
Kate has acted in cases where there are arguments over deprivation of liberty, and actively encourages instructions in this type of work. She is also building her experience in cases where the Court of Protection overlaps with care proceedings and her approach and personality make her ideal for this type of work.
Civil litigation
Kate represents clients in a range of civil litigation.
She acts in personal injury cases where she represents claimants and defendants. She is experienced at dealing with claims involving road traffic accidents, accidents at work and cases involving public liability, and regularly acts in Stage 3 hearings.
Kate is able to deal with claims where there are allegations of fundamental dishonesty and vicarious liability. Her background in criminal law means that she is particularly good at dealing with cases where there are questions of witness credibility. Kate is also experienced at dealing with credit hire claims, particularly where there are arguments about proportionality.
She also has experience in dealing with landlord and tenant disputes and attends both county court and tribunals in order to deal with possessions proceedings, service charge disputes and other related matters. Kate also has a good grasp of relevant regulatory issues, having worked in local government and accepts instructions in relation to licensing, housing, and planning issues.
Instruct
To instruct Kate for family or Court of Protection work please contact Jay Dorton or Stephen Bush.
To instruct Kate for civil work please contact Rob Johnstone.
Education
- LL.B.(Hons) Durham University
Memberships
- Family Law Bar Association
- Association of Women Barristers