Year of Call
2013Areas of practice
Children law (public), Children law (private), Direct Access
“Kevin was very organised, forthright and steadfast in his advice, including how dealt with the other side, which was firm but fair. ”
Instructing solicitor
Biography
Kevin is a specialist family law barrister with a very rounded knowledge of public and private family law. Having worked for over 13 years with leading local authorities Kevin brings a socio-legal understanding to family law not generally found at the Family Bar. Extremely hard working and dedicated to his clients, he is always in demand. Recent client comments include "Kevin was AMAZING today - brilliant!He was able to get a grip quickly and kept this as on track as possible with missing bits of the bundle and parental tactics", "Thank you so much for all your work. You are a wonderful barrister and I felt confident you would represent me well and you did. Thank you again!" and "I would just like to take this opportunity and say that both my client and I were very impressed with him. I was not in attendance on the day of the hearing, but our Paralegal was, who too sang his praises... I have questioned Jay why he had not previously put Kevin forward when I have called to book Counsel, but understand he is hardly available, [and his performance] perhaps explains this."
Kevin began his career as a probation and aftercare officer in Jamaica. Through that work, he developed skills and an interest in working with children, and he is highly skilled at engaging with families and working for fair solutions. He is often instructed to represent mentally unwell and vulnerable clients to whom he brings a calm and reassuring approach. Trained in systemic therapy, Kevin has a solution-focused approach when working with clients and advocates alike.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Kevin danced professionally as a contemporary ballet dancer for 6 years. He is the lead choreographer and dancer during the annual Miscellany Production at Gray’s Inn. He retains a commanding stage presence which he uses to great effect in court.
Children law (public)
Kevin’s professional background in local authorities in the capacities of frontline social work, senior social worker, team manager and consultant mean that he is particularly good at dealing with care proceedings, whether he is representing parents, guardians, children or the local authority. Social workers have commented that ‘Kevin just gets it’. He is a pair of safe hands.
Kevin is experienced at managing and dealing with complex child protection cases (involving issues such non accidental injuries, domestic violence, mental health, substance misuse, sexual abuse and others). He is often instructed to deal with non-accidental injury cases where there is a complex factual background, and multiple experts are involved. He also has experience of devising safeguarding programmes for assessing, reviewing and supporting families and protecting children, which is very valuable when assessing proposed care plans and arrangements for children.
Kevin has acted in applications for Forced Marriage Protection Orders, including one of the first cases for an order to be made in the family courts. He also has experience of deprivation of liberty applications for young people.
Children law (private)
Kevin is able to deal with all applications relating to residence and contact arrangements for children, including those which involve an international element. He is particularly skilled at handling child arrangement disputes and managing difficult clients including those who are vulnerable, suffering from mental illness and lacking capacity. He has been praised for his calmness and sensitivity when dealing with clients at times of high emotional stress.
Publications
The sleeping conundrum: the legal framework around fact-finding on ‘overlaying’ Family Law, July 2023
Raising the Bar: meet the barrister Gray's Inn podcast, 3 February 2020
Occupation Orders: Are we there yet? Family Law Week, 7 July 2016
Instruct
To instruct Kevin please contact Jay Dorton or Stephen Bush.
Education
- LL.B.(Hons) Birkbeck, University of London
Memberships
- Family Law Bar Assocaition
- Advocate
Prizes
- Prince of Wales Scholar, Gray's Inn
- Advocacy Training Recipient, Kalisher Scholarship Trust
Notable Cases
A v B (2023): A contested private law matter over 4 days before a Circuit Judge in which his opponent was represented by a KC. The case involved cross examination of expert witnesses, negotiation and drafting and Kevin acted pro bono throughout.
C (A Child) [2020] EWCA Civ 987: An application for recusal of a judge in the middle of a complex fact finding hearing relating to the death of a child.
A Child (through his Children’s Guardian): a 30 day complex fact finding hearing regarding the death of a child which was blamed on his father, but ultimately found to be due to the actions of his stepfather.
Re FL (a Child) [2020] EWCA Civ 20: Kevin successfully defended an Special Guardianship Order in favour of a maternal grandmother.
AB (A Child: Case Management Order) [2017] EWFC B53: Represented a local authority in complex proceedings involving international dimensions, criminal and family law proceedings and matters relating to previous private law family proceedings.
G v London Borough of Redbridge (High Court): claim by a mother against a local authority for alleged breaches of Articles 6 and 8 of the ECHR during the course of care proceedings.
LBS v SC, B and C: lengthy and complex fact finding hearing following the death of a child.
LB Redbridge v MS, KS and others: successful application for placement orders for four children where the parents had learning difficulties and were particularly vulnerable and vehemently opposed the application.
PCC vs GK, CW and others: case involving allegations of non-accidental injury and neglect resulting in the adoption of children.