Kathryn is extremely adept at working constructively with clients and ensuring their understanding of the priorities of the court. She is a very skilled negotiator and a strong and very well-prepared advocate. She is passionate and persuasive in her submissions and detailed and effective in her cross-examination of professional and lay clients alike. (The Legal 500 2024)
Overview
Kathryn became a tenant at St. Mary's Chambers in 2017 having successfully completed a specialist family law pupillage. She undertakes practice in all aspects of family law.
Kathryn has appeared in a variety of cases of varying levels including multiday fact-finds and final hearings. She is experienced in cross-examination of expert witnesses and dealing with constraints of cross-examination under the vulnerable witness toolkits and intermediary recommendations. She is experienced in representation of Local Authorities, parents and Guardians and prides herself in the relationships she is easily able to build with both lay and professional clients.
Kathryn graduated from the University of Gloucestershire with a 2.1(Hons) in Law (LLB) in 2013. She completed her Masters (LLM) in Human Rights Law at the University of Nottingham, graduating with Merit (Hons) in 2014. Kathryn commenced the BPTC at Nottingham Law school the same year and was called to the bar at Middle Temple in November 2015. Whilst at university she ran an award-winning community project about FGM. Following university, Kathryn worked as a prison lawyer for just over a year gaining valuable advocacy experience.
In addition to her work as a barrister, Kathryn is heavily involved in her local church and primarily as a musician and youth leader. Kathryn enjoys warming up for court by walking her dog. She has a passion for traveling and it would not be surprising to catch her on Skyscanner on her way home from court.
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Practice Areas
Kathryn has dealt with all aspects of care work for parents, Children's Guardians and the Local Authorities. She has experience with multi-day finding of facts, final and composite hearings. Kathryn has experience dealing with serious allegations, including NAI of fractures and bruises, shaken baby syndrome and sexual abuse.
Kathryn is experienced in undertaking opposed adoption cases and applications to discharge care and placement orders, representing both the Local Authority and parents in these applications.
Kathryn has particular experience in private law fact-finds, including allegations of sexual assault. She deals frequently with a wide variety of private law matters, in particular, cases of parental alienation. This includes dealing with fact-finds for malicious allegations, expert assessments and even committal proceedings. Kathryn's private law practice has expanded to cases with international issues- including dealing with urgent child protection orders in this regard.
Kathryn receives instructions for Court of Protection cases. Most recently she dealt with a continuous final hearing for Deputy Orders for both welfare and property and affairs. Kathryn is keen to grow her practice in Court of Protection and deals sensitively with such work.
Kathryn's experience prior to the Bar gives her extensive understanding and experience of FGMPO's and FMPO's.
Kathryn regularly receives instructions for both applicants and respondents in domestic abuse cases. She treats each case with a unique sensitivity which ensures that people feel heard. She holds an attention to details in the facts of each case.
Cases & Publications
Reported Cases
M (Children: Applications By Email) [2021] EWCA Civ 806
Recent Cases
Kathryn recently appeared in the High Court to represent a couple seeking a Parental Order following surrogacy which was undertaken in Sri Lanka.
She undertook a 10-day public law fact-find, acting for an intervenor and successfully had no findings made against her client. The successful challenge exonerating her client was as a result of cross-examination of the expert paediatrician.
Kathryn is currently involved in an ongoing private law matter with significant parental alienation issues. Last year she successfully defended allegations made against her client and cross-findings were made that the mother had made malicious allegations. During the course of proceedings she has achieved a change of residence for the child to live with her client.
She has appeared in the High Court recently seeking Committal following breach of a Prohibited Steps Order whereby the mother removed the children from the jurisdiction to Nigeria.
Testimonials
“Kathryn showed some really good skills when questioning a ‘highly special measures Mum’ and got her to concede not because she was beaten but because she made Mum truly recognise the risk”. Jodie Chettle-Robb, Guardian
"Family matters are highly emotive but Kathryn approached the matter with genuine care and respect. She had carefully prepared and she was empathetic and supportive which made me feel understood... Kathryn quickly assessed the situation and during cross examination she had a sharp focus, and an ability to succinctly cover all the salient points. Consequently, she was able to conduct an effective cross examination that advanced my case. It was a very satisfactory experience and Kathryn got a fantastic result. She was simply amazing." Client, June 2023
Contact Kathryn
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