Solicitor since 1989
Called 2005 
Email Clare
Clare has many years of experience in all aspects of family law, and is recommended by the Legal 500 as “meticulous and pragmatic”. She has been involved in many of the most contentious and complex High Court level and Court of Appeal cases dealt with on the NE circuit in recent years , including cases attracting national media attention.
Clients include Local Authorities, parents and relatives, interveners and CAFCASS (formerly both Guardians whether this is public law or private law and the Official Solicitor). She has particular experience in representing clients under a disability (minors, teenage mothers and patients).
Clare uses her exemplary client and solicitor care skills to put clients at ease without losing sight of the main issues. She is an excellent and experienced advocate, who regularly leads other advocates including appearances where others are being led by QC and is passionate about human rights and believes in justice for all.
Clare brings a dynamic and no-nonsense attitude to her work, meticulous preparation empathy and compassion, tactical and legal insight and tenacity all of which she utilises in presenting her client’s case in the most positive terms.
"She is incredibly hard-working, involved and willing to give advice at every stage of the case."
Chambers & Partners (2020)Simply click 'Add +' on an area of expertise to add it to collate in your downloadable brochure.
Clare has many years of experience in all aspects of family law, and is recommended by the Legal 500 as “meticulous and pragmatic”. She has been involved in many of the most contentious and complex High Court level and Court of Appeal cases dealt with on the NE circuit in recent years , including cases attracting national media attention.
Clients include Local Authorities, parents and relatives, interveners and CAFCASS (formerly both Guardians whether this is public law or private law and the Official Solicitor).
She has particular experience in representing clients under a disability (minors, teenage mothers and patients).
Clare uses her exemplary client and solicitor care skills to put clients at ease without losing sight of the main issues. She is an excellent and experienced advocate, who regularly leads other advocates including appearances where others are being led by QC and is passionate about human rights and believes in justice for all.
Clare brings a dynamic and no-nonsense attitude to her work, meticulous preparation empathy and compassion, tactical and legal insight and tenacity all of which she utilises in presenting her client’s case in the most positive terms.
Her skills and strengths are :
Clare has a particular interest in post care services to children, particularly where physical injuries/emotional harm they have sustained require care plans that look to ' pathway plans ' and support and services as a vulnerable adult/ post 18 care.
Clare is the representative for the bar at the local level of the Family Justice Board.
Areas of Expertise
Chambers & Partners (2020) - "She is incredibly hard-working, involved and willing to give advice at every stage of the case." "A highly experienced barrister. She shows great empathy with her clients but is also honest."
Chambers & Partners (2019) - "Very strong knowledge of the law and excellent advocacy." "She is approachable and has exemplary client care skills. In terms of advocacy she commands the court's attention. She is highly intelligent and well liked by clients and professionals alike."
Legal 500 (2019) - ‘Fantastic work ethic’
Chambers & Partners (2018) - "She works extremely hard and is phenomenal when dealing with people." "She has been almost everyone's pick in cases. She is extremely well prepared and very hard-working."
Chambers & Partners (2017) - "Your go-to family lawyer, she has a broad range of expertise and really knows what she's doing."
Legal 500 (2017) -‘A senior junior with the merits of a silk.’
Legal 500 (2016) - ‘A superb advocate, who is unflappable and fights her corner.’
Chambers & Partners (2015) - "You cannot fault Clare. Her manner with her clients is brilliant and, coupled with that, her advocacy is excellent. Others are in awe of how she commands the courtroom.
Legal 500 (2015) - "You can place full confidence in her abilities as an advocate.
Involving the interface between matters of religion and culture, honour and child protection. Also the use of new material arising subsequently to the issuing of proceedings and the weight to be attached to such in a forensic consideration.
Re B and G (Children)(No 2) 2015 EWFC 3 – The first reported case where Female Genital Mutilation was the sole issue. Notable Cases The areas of expertise identified above have all been from cases where Clare has been directly representing a significant and central party within the proceedings. Given Clare’s previous employment as a child care solicitor in both the private sector and local government for over 15 years together with the 5 years at the bar has provided a rich seam of experience to draw upon.
A regular contributor to the many “in house” seminars on family topics with particular emphasis on vulnerable clients and court skills for professional witnesses as well as legal updates on both public and private family law.
Chambers & Partners (2019)
Chambers & Partners Ranking Barrister 2020
Legal 500 Leading Individual (2019)
BA [Hons] Business Law
Former Solicitor Advocate
Family Law Bar Association
