Direct Access Barrister

Christopher Barnes

I am an experienced Family Law barrister dealing with the full range of proceedings concerning children. I have extensive experience in private and public law proceedings, adoption order applications, and the representation of clients in the Family Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal.

My work is centred on applications in the Family Court concerning children, though my experience covers a wide range of linked and associated proceedings.

I have a wide range of experience representing clients in private and public law proceedings and I bring that experience to bear in both my court, and advisory work.

I aim to provide clients with clear and comprehensive advice on the law and strategy to allow them to make informed decisions about how best to proceed, whether in bringing an application, or challenging an outcome through an appeal.

In representing clients I draw on my wide experience to help them to navigate the legally and emotionally challenging landscape of family proceedings. I frequently represent parties in proceedings where issues of vulnerability, and serious allegations of domestic abuse and/or sexual abuse arise. I also have extensive experience of cross examining vulnerable witnesses, and in challenging experts.

In my work I seek to work closely with clients to develop a strategy to help them achieve a positive resolution to contentious family law issues.

Area of Law

Family

I have experience of advising, and representing clients in the following types of applications:

- Private law applications concerning arrangements for children, especially in the context of contested allegations of domestic and/or sexual abuse, or allegations of alienating behaviours;

- Fact-finding hearings in both private and public law, where I act for parents, other family members/relatives, children, and intervenors;

- Applications arising from orders made in the Family Court for enforcement and/or committal;

- Applications under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 including applications for the revocation of placement orders, and adoption order applications - both purely domestic adoptions, and those with an international dimension;

- Applications under the Family Law Act 1996 for non-molestation orders;

- Applications arising from the Human Rights Act 1998 arising in the context of linked proceedings concerning children for damages, injunctions, and declarations of incompatibility;

- Representing journalists, media organisations, and parents in applications for the imposition, or relaxation, of reporting restrictions, and the disclosure of material from Children Act 1989 proceedings; and

- Acting in appeals in the Family Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal.

What sort of work do I do?

I regularly advise clients in the course of proceedings, or where they are considering making an application to the Family Court. I am happy to advise in writing, or in conference depending on the needs of the particular case.

I represent clients at interim and/or case management hearings, at fact-finding hearings, and at final hearings in their proceedings.

I am regularly instructed to undertake drafting of applications, pleadings, or skeleton arguments to support legal submissions.

I am frequently sought out to advise on potential appeals and I appear regularly in appeals in the Family Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal, where I frequently appears as sole, or lead counsel.

I am often instructed in cases against KCs whether at first instance, or in the course of appeals.

I have a particular interest in applications arising out of, or connected to family proceedings, including:
- Applications for transfer of jurisdiction;
- Human Rights Act applications, for damages, injunctions, of declarations of incompatibility;
- Media applications for the imposition or relaxation of reporting restrictions, and the disclosure of papers from proceedings concerning children.

Who do I work for?

I represent the full range of clients involved in family proceedings:

- In private law cases I represent parents, children (whether through guardians, or directly where they are competent to instruct), and other family members;

- In public law cases I represent local authorities, parents, children, and intervenors who may be joined because they seek to care for children of because allegations are pursued against them. I also have a broad range of experience in Adoption Order applications;

- I represent journalists and media organisations in transparency related applications for reporting or disclosure of papers from proceedings relating to children.

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