Luke joined St Ives Chambers in 2025 from another family set in Birmingham. Prior to coming to the Bar, Luke practised as a Social Worker specialising in adult mental health and worked in Community Specialist and Complex Mental Health Teams, Acute Liaison Psychiatry Teams and as a Forensic Social Worker in a Medium Secure Unit. Luke had a particular interest in s.42 Care Act 2014 safeguarding investigations. Luke was also involved in s.21A Mental Capacity Act 2005 proceedings in the Court of Protection in his role as a Social Worker.
Luke’s practice areas are private law children and public law children in addition to Mental Capacity Act 2005 matters. Luke has particular experience in private children law and has represented parties at directions hearings, multi-day fact-finding hearings before Magistrates, District Judges and Circuit Judges. Luke also appears in the High Court on behalf of all parties, including Children’s Guardians. Luke also is regularly instructed in respect of Non-Molestation and Occupation Order proceedings. Luke is regularly instructed in public law proceedings and has experience representing the children via their Children’s Guardian. Luke is particularly sought after were there are concerns in respect of significant mental health/psychiatric issues (given his experience as a Social Worker specialising in mental health).
In addition to his practice at the Bar, Luke sits as an Independent Panel Member on Police Misconduct Panels, Vetting Withdrawal Appeal Panels and on the Police Appeal Tribunal. Luke also sat as an Independent Appeal Panel Member for a Islington Council to determine applications for support payments (in respect of Islington Council’s Support Payment Scheme in relation to abuse in children’s homes between 1966 and 1995). Until very recently, Luke sat as an Associate Hospital Manager under s.23 Mental Health Act 1983 to determine (alongside a panel) whether patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 should be discharged or not. Luke was approved to sit as a Panel Chairman.
Luke has also completed the Family Law Bar Association’s vulnerable witness training and has experience both representing and cross-examining vulnerable witnesses and parties.
Luke is an approachable and friendly Barrister who is quickly able to build a rapport with clients, witnesses and opponents alike. Luke quickly gains the trust of his clients and the courts he appears before. Luke is noted for his robust approach to representation but also being realistic in his advice to clients. Luke is typically found in family courts in the Midlands.
