Lucy Sprinz MCIArb

Practice Overview

• Children (Public Law)

  Lucy has considerable experience representing parents in care proceedings at all levels of court. She is regularly instructed in cases involving serious allegations of domestic violence, illegal substance or alcohol abuse, non-accidental injury and child sexual abuse and exploitation. She has also been involved in a number of cases in the rapidly emerging field of radicalisation.

  Lucy has a developing practice representing children within public law proceedings and is now regularly instructed on behalf of Guardians in cases involving children with highly complex needs. Lucy also represents Local Authorities.

  Reported cases include:

  The London Borough of Wandsworth v M & Ors [2017] EWHC 2435 (Fam)

  Re J (Children) [2017] EWCA Civ 398

  Kent County Council v M and O (Children, Criticism of Local Authority) [2017] EWFC B12

  London Borough of Tower Hamlets v B [2016] EWHC 1707 (Fam)

  Re D (A Child) (No 3) [2016] EWFC 1

  Derbyshire County Council v SH [2015] EWFC B102

  Re D (A Child) (No 2) [2015] EWFC 2

  Re D (A Child) [2014] EWFC 39

  A Father v SBC & Ors [2014] EWFC 6

  Re E (A Child) (Application to withdraw Proceedings, Grounds for Emergency Removal of a Child) [2013] EWHC 2400 (Fam)

  Re A (A Child) [2012] UKSC 60

• Children (Private Law)

  Lucy regularly acts for parents engaged in complex child arrangements disputes: she often represents parents in cases involving allegations of parental alienation and which may require enforcement proceedings to be brought: she has frequently acted for parents in applications to relocate with their children, either within this jurisdiction or abroad; she also represents children through their rule 16.4 Guardian. 

  Lucy has a developing practice in cases involving alternative families, particularly in the field of declarations of parentage applications following errors made by fertility clinics and those cases involving the application of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008.

  Reported cases include:

  In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Cases P, Q, R, S, T, U, W and X) [2017] EWHC 49 (Fam)

  Re G (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008) [2016] EWHC 729 (Fam)

  F v M & Others [2015] EWHC 3601 (Fam)

  Q v Q (No 3) [2016] EWFC 5

  Re A and Others (Human Embryology and Fertilisation) (Legal Parenthood: Written Consent) [2015] EWHC 2602 (Fam)

• International Family Law

  Lucy also acts in children law cases involving an international element. She has advised in cases of international adoption; has represented parents dealing with issues arising from child abduction and cross border child arrangements disputes; and acted in wardship proceedings following attempted abduction.

  Reported cases include:

  In the Matter of N (Children) [2016] UKSC 15

• Domestic Violence & Injunctions

  Lucy has extensive experience of representing both those individuals needing the protection of the Family Court when they have been subjected to harassment, violence or other forms of molestation and those people who are responding to injunctions made against them in relation to allegations of violence or the occupation of the family home.  

• Arbitration

  Lucy is an arbitrator, qualified to take on children work.

• Administrative and Human Rights Law

  Lucy has considerable experience of the application of human rights law to children law cases, in particular claims for damages made against Local Authorities and the obtaining of injunctions to restrain actions taken by public bodies. Lucy has acted pro bono in a test case involving issues of legal aid, human rights and the lawfulness of actions taken by the legal aid agency.

  Reported cases include:

  Re D (A Child) (No 2) [2015] EWFC 2

  Re D (A Child) [2014] EWFC 39

  A Father v SBC & Ors [2014] EWFC 6

• What the Directories Say

  "Her approach to children work is always measured, compelling and sophisticated. You very rarely see a judge who is not won over by her advocacy." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2025

  "She is very calm but her conversational style of cross-examination is deceptively lethal. Undoubtedly a silk in the making." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2025

  "Her grasp of the case papers and key issues (whether legal or factual) is always excellent, and her preparation is obviously very detailed." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2025

  "Lucy is tenacious, and able to explain complex legal concepts for clients in a straightforward manner. A junior with a sharp mind." Tier 2 - Legal 500, 2025

  "Very kind and puts clients at ease. She works very hard and has always read all the papers." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2024

  "Very calm and collected, she's able to explain difficult legal concepts in an easy-to-understand way." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2024

  "She works incredibly hard and is a fierce, no-nonsense advocate." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2024

  "Excellent with clients, judges and instructing solicitors, she's always well prepared and doesn't get side-tracked by drama and theatrics. She gets on with the issues and does a good job." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2023

  "Lucy is simply excellent when it comes to child-related work. From the complex to the run of the mill, she always gives it her all and is exceptional both in and out of the courtroom. Clients love her and she's a pleasure to work with." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2023

  "Lucy is an absolute superstar and can deal with difficult clients and cases with a calm manner and never loses her cool." Tier 2 - Legal 500, 2023

  “An absolute star. Sharp, calm and convincing. A wonderful ability to explain difficult concepts to a client, to ensure they feel listened to and to fight their corner without unnecessarily raising the temperature.” Tier 2 - Legal 500, 2022

  "Very intelligent and prepares very detailed and thorough written work. Has the ability to put clients at ease and is very confident and competent with Judges. Keeps calm and professional." Legal 500, 2021

  “Is exceptionally talented.” Legal 500, 2020

  “Has a huge amount of experience and is equally brilliant with clients and judges.” Chambers and Partners, 2020

  “She’s someone who clearly pays a lot of attention to her cases and has got a really nice manner about her as an advocate.” Chambers and Partners, 2020

  "She is knowledgeable, calm and thoroughly prepared, even in the most complex children cases." Chambers and Partners, 2019

  "She has really great client care skills, and is technically superb." Chambers and Partners, 2019

  "Deals with difficult issues with aplomb." Legal 500, 2018/19 

  "She’s phenomenal. She’ll be a QC one day. She makes others look inefficient and has an incredibly good way about her. She’s painstakingly thorough, does brilliant notes and is just fantastic."  Chambers and Partners, 2017/18

  "An outstanding junior, who exhibits a blend of natural talent, hard work and strong client care." Legal 500, 2017/18 

  "Lucy is exceptionally bright and extremely personable with clients. She deals with the most complex cases and is always prepared. She's a pleasure to work with." Chambers and Partners, 2016/17

  "Thoroughly dedicated and tactically savvy." Legal 500, 2016/17

  "Lucy has an acute legal brain and thinks holistically. Her client care skills are exceptional. She has managed vulnerable and deeply troubled individuals with sensitivity and tact." Chambers and Partners, 2015/16

  "She's a very committed public law barrister who works very hard for her clients. She is a very good technical lawyer." Chambers and Partners, 2014/15

  "Lucy debuts in the rankings this year. She handles all types of family law, and has particular experience of representing parents in both public law and private law children matters. She has a good career in front of her. She is really empathetic towards her clients when they are going through a difficult time." Chambers and Partners, 2013/14

• Notable Cases

  Children (Public Law):

  The London Borough of Wandsworth v M & Ors [2017] EWHC 2435 (Fam)

  Re J (Children) [2017] EWCA Civ 398

  Kent County Council v M and O (Children, Criticism of Local Authority) [2017] EWFC B12

  London Borough of Tower Hamlets v B [2016] EWHC 1707 (Fam)

  Re D (A Child) (No 3) [2016] EWFC 1

  Derbyshire County Council v SH [2015] EWFC B102

  Re D (A Child) (No 2) [2015] EWFC 2

  Re D (A Child) [2014] EWFC 39

  A Father v SBC & Ors [2014] EWFC 6

  Re E (A Child) (Application to withdraw Proceedings, Grounds for Emergency Removal of a Child) [2013] EWHC 2400 (Fam)

  Re A (A Child) [2012] UKSC 60

  Children (Private Law): 

  In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Cases P, Q, R, S, T, U, W and X) [2017] EWHC 49 (Fam)

  Re G (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008) [2016] EWHC 729 (Fam)

  F v M & Others [2015] EWHC 3601 (Fam)

  Q v Q (No 3) [2016] EWFC 5

  International Family Law:

  In the Matter of N (Children) [2016] UKSC 15

  Administrative and Human Rights Law:

  Re D (A Child) (No 2) [2015] EWFC 2

  Re D (A Child) [2014] EWFC 39

  A Father v SBC & Ors [2014] EWFC 6