Children
Within the Public Law team, seven members of Outer Temple Chambers specialise in the law relating to children. The list of cases in which members of Chambers have appeared speaks for itself of the role OTC has played nationally in recent years in developing the fast-moving areas of human rights, best interests work, embryology and social care. We take a particular interest in areas such as the assessment of needs and funding of services for disabled and vulnerable children; the regulation of children’s homes and childminders; safeguarding and education law. This is in addition to the very many care proceedings in which we represent local authorities and guardians but especially parents.
Recently we have appeared for Natallie Evans in her fight for the use of her stored embryos; for one of the couples in the ‘Leeds hospital’ embryology mix-up; for the parents in baby C; for Tim Williams in his recent successful and widely-reported battle for the return of his three children following false diagnosis of abuse; for the B family in their successful appeal against the finding that they shook their baby; and for the mother in Re: C when the Court of Appeal examined damages for breach of human rights in children’s cases. Details of these and other reported cases as well as copies of recent lectures given and papers written by the team can be found elsewhere on the website.
Robin Tolson QC took silk in 2001 and is a deputy High Court judge. He leads the children team. Gordon Bebb QC practices widely in the law relating to children. He is a recorder. Charles Foster's particular interest is in the law relating to the treatment of children and incompetent adults. He is the author, editor or a contributor to many of the leading publications in the field, and teaches medical law and ethics at the University of Oxford; he also sits as a recorder. Susan Freeborn specialises in litigation involving children, most often representing them via a guardian from the CAFCASS Legal High Court team. She also takes a special interest in regulation work. Timothy Nesbitt tackles high profile and topical issues in the field of education law, especially concerning children with special needs. Patrick Sadd acts regularly for claimants abused in local authority care, schools, clubs and religious institutions as well as for vulnerable adults abused in long term care. Mark Mullins practices widely in social and community care as it affects children.
Our core statement of principle is as follows. We will show complete commitment to the cases we take on, guaranteeing continuity of counsel and seeking to establish a collaborative working relationship with the professional client. We are very conscious of the difficulties or disadvantages facing many of our lay clients. We take our professional job satisfaction from addressing these.
Our aim is to win cases, no matter how difficult an objective that may seem. We will always try to find the different approach that might be the key to success.
If you would like further information, please contact Stephen Somerville on 020 7353 6381.
What the directories say
Legal 500, 2008
Robin Tolson QC and Susan Freeborn at Outer Temple Chambers have expertise in handling public children work including adoption, care proceedings and child abduction.
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