News & Events: Children Law (Public)
Leslie Samuels KC elected Chair of the FLBA
We are incredibly proud to share that Leslie Samuels KC has been elected to the post of Chair of the Family Law Bar Association. Leslie was elected at the FLBA National Conference and AGM in Birmingham on Saturday 1 November. His term of office will commence on 1 January 2026 and will last for 2 […]
Natalya Evans and Joseph Sworder join Pump Court Chambers
We are incredibly pleased to welcome Natalya Evans (2022 call) and Joseph Sworder (2025 call) to Pump Court’s family team. Natalya is a probationary tenant and Joseph is a pupil in his second six. Natalya Evans (2022 call) Natalya is a family law practitioner specialising in both children and financial matters. She accepts instructions across […]
Annual Children Law Seminar – Canterbury 2025
Please join us for our annual Children Law seminar in Canterbury on Thursday 6th November 2025, from 11am at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Old Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3NZ. Registration will take place from 11am over tea, coffee and pastries and a hot fork buffet lunch will be served. Cost: Free Chaired by […]
The Legal 500 2026
We are delighted to announce that Pump Court’s members have obtained 82 individual rankings in the Legal 500 2026, including 21 new rankings and 12 promotions this year across our key practice areas and regions. Members of Chambers are ranked in the following areas: Crime (London and Western Circuit), Ecclesiastical Law, Employment (London and Western […]
Public Children Law Case Update – Autumn 2025
J and K and LB of Haringey (through their Regional Adoption Agency, Adopt London) [2025] EWHC 1268 (Fam). The case concerned an application for an adoption of a 17 year old. The issue in this case was whether the applicant (J) and the mother (K) were deemed to be ‘partners in an enduring family relationship’. […]
Southampton Children Law Seminar
We are delighted to invite you to our Children Law seminar, taking place from 1pm on Thursday 9th October 2025 at The Hilton Southampton – Utilita Bowl, Botley Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 3XH. Members of our Children Law team will speak on a range of topics and cases. In addition to the keynote talks, there […]
Emily Chapman appointed to National YRes Committee
We are delighted to announce that Emily Chapman has been selected to join the National YRes Committee. YRes is Resolution’s network of family law professionals at the start of their careers. It exists to ensure that there is an opportunity for Resolution members who are starting out on their career path to share their experiences, […]
Re J, K, and L (application for non-agency adoptions) [2025] EWFC 157(B)
Jayne Harrill, instructed by Rizwana Khan of Barrett and Thomson, successfully represents the mother in opposing the foster carers’ application for non-agency Adoption Orders. The three children were made the subject of Care Orders and Placement Orders in 2020 and had been placed with the long-term foster carers. The local authority initially supported the foster […]
“Writing to children: new guidance” by Maria Henty and Victoria Ellis published in Family Law
On 26 February 2025, the President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, published new guidance for family judges on when, how, and why to write to children in family proceedings. This article in the July edition of Family Law, by Maria Henty and Victoria Ellis, considers the thinking behind this new initiative, the tools […]
Pump Court Chambers welcomes four new tenants
We are delighted that Alvaro Loxton, Edward Armitage, Hannah Tickle and Victoria Steet have all accepted offers of tenancy and will become full members of chambers on 1st October 2025, following the successful completion of their pupillages. Alvaro Loxton (2021 call) accepts instructions across Chambers’ core areas of practice, with particular experience in family, civil and […]
Public Children Law Case Update – Summer 2025
Re K and Re S (Legal Aid: Experts’ Fees) [2025] EWFC 100 These two decisions raised the issue as to what the Court should do when the instruction of an expert has been authorised in Public Law proceedings, and the Court has directed that the expert’s fees are to be covered in equal contributions from […]
Family Justice Council Guidance – Covert Recordings in Family Proceedings Concerning Children: Key Takeaways
The issue of covert recordings within family proceedings has been described by the President of the Family Division as a ‘growing area for the courts to consider with little guidance available to judges or other professionals.’ As such, the guidance document published by the Family Justice Council on 15 May 2025 is undoubtedly welcomed by […]
