Child Abduction

Simon is committed to defending the rights of families who face issues of children relocating abroad, applications for leave to remove a child, or when clients are faced with an application from an ex-partner.

Simon is adept at handling cases involving Brussels II regulations. He is experienced in dealing with enforcement and registration of orders made in foreign countries and ‘Mirror orders’ in countries where no international treaty is in force.

Areas of expertise:

• Applications for permission to remove children to another jurisdiction.
• Abductions within England and Wales and other British territory.
• Emergency injunctions to prevent child removal.
• Brussels II Regulation No 2201/2003, also called Brussels IIA or II bis.
• Summary return under the Hague Convention 1980.

Private Law Children

Simon has over 30 years’ experience as a specialist Children Act practitioner, the last 9 years in Silk. Simon often appears for parents of high net worth who have seemingly intractable disputes with their partners over the arrangements for the children. Simon is also instructed on allegations of parental alienation, domestic abuse, coercive control, and allegations of the utmost seriousness at the intersection with public law.

Matters concerning Private Law Children are particularly suited to Public Access clients. A number of Simon’s clients have instructed him on a privately-funded basis to advise and attend court. Instructing a Silk is not always possible under the Legal aid provisions but the Public Access scheme opens a direct link to a specialist Silk.

Instructing Simon not only provides the client with his years of advocacy experience as a barrister in the family and criminal courts, but it is also worth noting that Simon also sits as a part time High Court Judge in the family courts.

Simon has provided training seminars to local family firms of solicitors and has provided lectures to members of the Family Law Bar Association.

Public Law Children

Simon frequently appears in high profile care proceedings. In the last 18 months he has acted successfully for parents in 4 cases involving a large scale paedophile ring, harming a child as a result of fictitious disorder, allegations of arranging a forced marriage abroad and causing the death of a baby with congenital brain abnormalities by shaking.

Simon works with a wide range of clients including local authorities, parents and guardians, adopters and foster parents, extended family members, other interested parties or interveners and the Official Solicitor.

Simon sits as a Deputy High Court Judge in family law. He is provided with top-class judicial training and resource that enables him to keep up to date within his specialist field as a Judge and as a practising Silk.

Family Law Bar Association

Appointed as a Recorder to the County Court

Appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge sitting in Family Law