Children Law (Public)

Public Law children cases are complex and emotionally charged, centring on the provision of care and/or medical treatment for young, often vulnerable people.

At Pump Court, our barristers approach these matters with a combination of acute technical expertise and great sensitivity to the individuals involved.

Our Public Law team is led by Penny Howe KC and features a further two KC’s and more than 30 Junior Counsel. This scale and breadth of talent means that are able to provide advice and representation for Court hearings across the whole country.

Acting for Local Authorities, parents and grandparents, children and Guardians, we advise on a wide range of cases including:

Applications to place children in the care of Local Authorities.
Applications for contact to a child in care or to revoke pre-existing care orders.
Foreign and domestic adoptions.
Cases under the Inherent Jurisdiction including those involving ‘the right to life’ or medical treatment for children.
Private law disputes where local authorities have been joined as parties.
Applications for Judicial Review.

Notable issues where we have advised and represented parties include:

Non-accidental head injuries and multiple fractures.
Sexual abuse including situations where paedophile rings are in operation.
Allegations of induced or fabricated illness.
Alleged murder by a sibling child.

Murder or attempted murder by a parent.
Child sterilisation.
Forced marriage and child trafficking cases.
The continuation or withdrawal of treatment for a child who has suffered severe brain damage.
Cases involving the proposed detention of a child.

As well as experienced barristers, our team also features a Deputy High Court Judge, Recorders and Deputy District Judges. Several of our team members have also worked in house for local authorities dealing with Public Law children issues.

The team also benefits from our strong technical expertise in the related fields of private law children proceedings, child abduction cases and applications for permission to remove children from the jurisdiction.

In addition to providing expert advice and representation in this area, we are committed to expanding the understanding of the complex issues in Public Law matters relating to children. We deliver seminars and continuing professional education through our own training programme and in conjunction with other providers.

Would you like to know more?

If you require help or advice please contact our clerking team.

Call +44 (0)20 7353 0711 or email clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com.

With 'a wide base of excellent public law counsel', common law set Pump Court Chambers is a go-to for a variety of children law matters.

Legal 500, 2026

With ‘a good range of juniors, senior juniors, and KCs’, Pump Court Chambers’ family law team is ‘flourishing’.

Legal 500, 2024

Pump Court Chambers hosts an ‘excellent set of family law barristers with a wide range of expertise’

Legal 500, 2024

Pump Court Chambers is a market-leading set with a broad family and matrimonial offering which includes public and private children cases

Chambers & Partners 2024

The barristers at the set have strong expertise in children law matters, including complex shaken baby, sexual abuse and non-accidental injury cases, as well as relocation and Children Act proceedings.

Chambers & Partners 2024

The set's members "have an ability to take a step back and focus on the big picture, taking a practical approach, but also being sensitive to issues that are important to the client"

Chambers & Partners 2024

The "legal expertise within the set is second to none."

Chambers & Partners 2024

"Offers superb strength in depth in family law and has real talent at all levels of seniority".

Legal 500, 2023

Children Law (Public) Insights

View all related news

London Chambers

3 Pump Court
Temple
London
EC4Y 7AJ

Tel: +44 (0)20 7353 0711
Fax: +44 (0)845 259 3241
Email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com

Click here for more information.

Map

Winchester Chambers

31 Southgate Street
Winchester
SO23 9EB

Tel: +44 (0)1962 868 161
Fax: +44 (0)845 259 3240
Email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com

Click here for more information.

Map

Swindon Chambers

3 Newbridge Square
Aylesbury Street
Swindon
SN1 1HN

Tel: +44 (0)1793 539 899
Fax: +44 (0)845 259 3242
Email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com

Click here for more information.

Map

Canterbury Chambers

6 - 8 Longmarket
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 2JS

Tel: +44 (0)1227 764 899
Email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com

Click here for more information.

Map

The Legal Ombudsman website can be accessed here. The Barristers’ Register is displayed here. Regulated by the Bar Standards Board.