Annabel Hamilton

Annabel regularly acts in all areas of private law children work, including injunctive proceedings involving serious domestic violence and abuse. Annabel is regularly instructed in private law matters in which serious allegations of domestic violence or child abuse have been made and cases involving intractable contact disputes, representing parents, grandparents and children through their Rule 16.4 Guardian. She also has experience in applications for leave to remove.

Annabel is regularly instructed in complex private law matters for parents and guardians. She has successfully represented parents in applications for leave to remove children from the jurisdiction.

In public law proceedings, Annabel acts for local authorities, guardians, parents and grandparents at all stages of proceedings. She has experience in the complete spectrum of issues arising in care proceedings including:

• Non-accidental injuries (including fractures and head injuries)
• Neglect
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Has experience of cases involving parents with severe learning difficulties.

She recently acted for respondents in Operation Satchel, one of the largest public law cases heard to date in the UK Family courts.

Re AA:  Annabel represented the guardian in a complex head injury (brain bleed) case. Genetic testing and other lines of enquiry pursued which led to a last minute change in the opinions of the experts. The child was returned home to parents under no order.

Notable Cases

Wolverhampton City Council v JA & Ors [2017] EWFC 62 (18 August 2017)