Greg has been a member of Chambers since 1993, and is the Deputy Head of Chambers. He has extensive experience of:
- Private law proceedings
- Public law proceedings
- Acting for Local Authorities
- Parents and children at all levels of the Family Court and before the Court of Appeal
The majority of his practice is public law children work, including cases involving:
- Vulnerable and protected parties
- Complex factual and medical evidence
- Sexual abuse including intra and inter familial abuse
- Physical abuse including domestic abuse, fabricated illness, NAI and child death
- Emotional abuse in all its forms
Greg has experience of both representing and cross-examining children and other vulnerable witnesses, in particular those with learning disabilities. He has undertaken Vulnerable Witness Training.
Managing expectations, a willingness to address difficult and unpalatable issues head on, combined with sensible and pragmatic advice is an intrinsic component of his representation. He brings a detailed knowledge of the law, with an ability to produce focussed and persuasive written and oral submissions woven into a relaxed but firm style.
Private law applications require a particular skill set, often emotions and ill feeling are running so high that the real issues are lost. Stripping through emotion to identify what is genuinely in the children’s interests is essential, but often forgotten. Greg endeavours to inject some common sense, to focus on the real issues and achieve outcomes which genuinely benefit the children’s welfare.
Good representation involves identifying the issues, applying the law, providing sensible advice no matter how unpalatable, and eloquent representation both in negotiations and in Court; that is Greg’s approach.
Notable cases
RE H (A child) (Interim Care Order) [2002] EWCA Civ 1932, AllER (D) 183
RE R (A child) [2006} EWCA Civ 1748 – at first instance
RE T (Children: Placement Order) [2008] EWCA Civ 248, 1 FLR 1721, All ER (D) 279
SMBC v PR (SR Intervening) (Care Proceedings: Children’s Evidence) (No.1) [2012] 1 FLR 842, 2011 Fam Law 1332
SMBC v PR (SR Intervening) (Care Proceedings: Children’s Evidence) (No.2) [2012] 1 FLR 852, 2011 Fam Law 1332
