Practice Overview
Patrick is a specialist in the law as it relates to children, with the primary focus on public law children. He has a busy practice and regularly represents local authorities, parents and children, whether separately represented or through their guardian. He has appeared in the High Court both with and without a leader.
-
Children (Public Law)
Patrick has particular expertise in public law cases, involving care proceedings under the Children Act 1989 and adoption proceedings under the Adoption and Children Act 2002. He is regularly instructed to represent local authorities, parents, children, and interveners in care proceedings, from the first hearing to contested interim hearings, fact-finding hearings and final hearings.
He has experience of cases involving:
- Death of a child or parent;
- Serious non-accidental injury to children (including multiple fractures and intracranial injuries);
- Fabricated or induced illness (FII);
- Sexual abuse;
- Forced marriage;
- Terrorism and wardship;
- Chronic neglect;
- Domestic abuse;
- Deprivation of liberty and the inherent jurisdiction;
- International child abduction;
- Cross-jurisdictional placement; and
- Contested applications for placement and adoption orders.
Patrick has been led by King's Counsel and senior junior counsel in complex and lengthy care cases. He also undertakes such cases as a single junior and has appeared against leading counsel.
Notable cases include:
West Sussex County Council v MM & Ors [2023] EWFC 38
Re 5 Children (Induced and Exaggerated Illnesses Pattern of Behaviour) [2021] EWHC 3750
-
Children (Private Law)
Patrick has experience of private law matters, including child arrangements, prohibited steps and specific issue orders, and applications under the inherent jurisdiction.
He acts in cases where there is often a complicating feature such as fact-finding, joinder of a child as a party to proceedings or an international issue.
Patrick has represented parents, wider family members, children and rule 16.4 Guardians.
His cases have involved: internal and external relocation applications; psychiatric and psychological expert evidence; children giving evidence; summary return applications from Hague and non-Hague convention countries; fact-findings involving physical, sexual and emotional abuse, coercive & controlling behaviour; applications for wardship; applications under the inherent jurisdiction; transfer of residence; name-change cases; shared-care cases; special guardianship orders; family assistance orders; intractable contact & alienation cases and applications for Tipstaff Orders.
Notable cases include:
J (A Child : 1980 Hague Convention proceedings) [2021] EWHC 1213 (Fam) (10 May 2021)
-
Notable Cases
West Sussex County Council v MM & Ors [2023] EWFC 38
Re 5 Children (Induced and Exaggerated Illnesses Pattern of Behaviour) [2021] EWHC 3750
Derby City Council v BA & Ors [2021] EWHC 2931 (Fam)
J (A Child : 1980 Hague Convention proceedings) [2021] EWHC 1213 (Fam) (10 May 2021)
-
What the Directories Say
"Patrick can handle any challenge with a considered and steady hand. He knows the papers inside out, and his analysis of the issues is top-notch." Tier 6 - Legal 500, 2025
"Patrick is an excellent advocate. He is meticulous in his preparation and has an eye for detail. His documents are thorough, precise and persuasive. He can distil and present extensive and complex information clearly and logically." Legal 500, 2024
News
Legal 500
Leading Junior
2024
