Nkumbe Ekaney KC

Practice Overview

• Children (Public Law)

  Nkumbe is highly recommended for his Public Law Children work. He is regularly instructed in a wide range of care, placement and adoption proceedings which involve complex instances of infanticide and serious physical, sexual or ritualistic abuse of children and the vulnerable. He has a wealth of experience representing all parties in such proceedings, including Local Authorities, parents, children, Guardians and other relatives. These cases invariably involve complicated factual considerations and detailed medical evidence which he is quick to absorb. 

  He was Leading Counsel for the father in the first ever case on female genital mutilation in the Family Court: 

• Children (Private Law)

  Nkumbe represents parents, children and relatives in highly contentious proceedings concerning children arising from relationship breakdown. His practice includes cases which involve permission to relocate children and the international components of such removal.

• What the Directories Say

  "Nkumbe has a great manner with clients - he puts them at ease. In court, his advocacy is calm and measured." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2025

  "He is an excellent practitioner, who is calm and well organised. His advocacy is deceptively friendly." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2025

  "Nkumbe is a star. An incredibly bright, powerful and persuasive advocate." Tier 3 - Legal 500, 2025

  "He has always been ready to go the extra mile to achieve the best possible outcomes." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2024

  "Very thorough in his cross-examination and very quick on his feet. He's very well respected and clients find him very approachable, down to earth and easy to understand." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2024

  "He has got a very nice courtroom style." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2024

  "Nkumbe is a class act. He has a charming manner and cross-examines complex evidence with ease. His submissions are of the highest standard." Tier 3 - Legal 500, 2024

  "Nkumbe Ekaney adopts a thorough approach to cases and an amenable manner with clients. He's technically brilliant and a master of advocacy." Band 1 (Western) and Band 3 (London) - Chambers and Partners, 2023

  "Nkumbe is a leading silk in non accidental injury and sexual abuse cases. He truly is an exceptional advocate, and his attention to detail, to include understanding the complex medical evidence with ease and sharp cross-examination, makes him a force to be reckoned with." Tier 3 - Legal 500, 2023

  “An astonishingly impressive silk who oozes gravitas and has a commanding court room presence. His advocacy is really first-rate. Nkumbe has a keen eye for the detail and is always fully on top of the papers. His cross-examination is razor sharp and always extremely effective.” Tier 3 - Legal 500, 2022

  "Smooth, sophisticated and an excellent leader, he is missile-like in seeking out what the judge needs." "He reassures his clients, and his ability to look at things forensically is superb." Band 3 - Chambers and Partners, 2021

  "He is excellent." Band 1 (Western Bar) - Chambers and Partners 2021

  "Represents parents and children in public and private child law cases, with particular expertise advising on matters concerning serious non-accidental injuries. He is also experienced at handling matters that concern sexual assault, neglect and child death." Band 2 (Western Bar) - Chambers and Partners, 2020

  "A very polished advocate who is good with clients. He’s also good at dealing with judges and is a very pleasant opponent." Band 2 (Western Bar) -Chambers and Partners, 2020

  "He is phenomenal in cross-examination and meticulous in his approach to cases." Band 2 (Western Bar) -Chambers and Partners, 2020

  "A children lawyer through and through." Chambers and Partners, 2017

  "Very well thought of."  Chambers and Partners, 2017

  "Renowned for his work in sensitive and complex child welfare law, notably infanticide cases and those involving serious allegations of abuse and neglect. In addition to his expertise in children law, he is equally proficient in dealing with the legalities that arise after breakdowns in marriages and civil partnerships."  Chambers and Partners, 2015

  "Recommended for public law children work, and cases involving infanticide and non-accidental injuries."  Legal 500, 2014

  "He is very good and always impresses." Chambers and Partners, 2014

  "Recommended." Legal 500, 2013

  "Great to deal with and someone who looks after clients well." Chambers and Partners, 2013

  "Highly recommended." Legal 500, 2012

  "His first-class practice." Chambers and Partners, 2012

  "Recommended." Legal 500, 2011

  "Recommended for childcare cases." Legal 500, 2010

  "Applauded for his relaxed and charming manner."  Chambers and Partners, 2010

  "Recommended."  Legal Experts, 2010

  "An excellent advocate — never ruffled." Legal 500, 2009

  "His 'laid-back and charming style' plays well with interviewees."  Chambers and Partners, 2008

  "Smooth as velvet in court."   Legal 500, 2008

  "Very able. Extraordinary how much detail he can absorb." 2008

  "Extremely good in court, and personable out of it." 2008

  "Extremely realistic in his approach." Chambers and Partners, 2008

• Notable Cases

  X City Council v M (The Mother) & Ors [2023] EWHC 1767

  H (A Child), Re [2023] EWFC 19

  A Local Authority v GG & Ors [2022] EWFC 190 

  H (A Child), Re [2023] EWFC 19

  Re: I (Children: Child Assessment Order) [2020] EWCA Civ 281

  E (A Child), Re [2020] EWFC 73 (19 November 2020)

  G-P (A Child) [2019] EWCA Civ 56 (31 January 2019)

  Re X (Female Genital Mutilation Protection Order No 2) [2019] EWHC 1990 (Fam)

  Plymouth City Council v Wilkins & Ors [2019] EWFC 60 

  Re B and G (Children) (No 2) [2015] EWFC 3

  BCC v A Mother and Others [2014] EWHC 1367 (Fam)

  Re JS [2012] EWHC 1370

  Stodgell v Stodgell [2009] 2 FLR 218 QBD/FD

  Re K (Shared Residence Order) [2008] 2  FLR 380

  Re B (Sexual Abuse) Expert Report [2000] 1 FLR 871

  B v Torbay Council [2007] 1 FLR 203 FD