John in described in the 2024 Legal 500 as “a strong advocate who has a no-nonsense approach”. He has extensive experience in both public and private law children’s cases and is regularly instructed by solicitors for parents and Children’s Guardians. John has been involved in several media interest cases and is a qualified child Arbitrator and member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
John specialises in representing parents, wider family members and intervenors in complex public law proceedings and multi-day fact-finding hearings. His case load includes the particularly vulnerable, along with those facing the most serious of allegations such as physical and sexual abuse, non-accidental injury, factitious illness, and cases involving child fatality. He is described in the legal 500 as having a “blunt style that is powerful and effective”.
John regularly represents parents in all aspects of private law children cases including complex fact-finding hearings, alienating behaviours, relocation, domestic abuse, and intractable contact disputes. He represents children via rule 16:4 appointed Guardians. He has been described in the Legal 500 as “Pragmatic, forthright and intelligent”.
John is particularly effective at Direct Public Access cases with a proven track record of achieving successful outcomes for his clients in often complex proceedings. He has developed a website to assist members of public with access to justice (www.barristerfamilylaw.co.uk).