Practice Overview
Siobhan is a leading junior and specialist family practitioner with extensive experience in all aspects of the law relating to children. She is “Amazingly robust, she gets through to the root of the case and is incredibly effective.” and “A force to be reckoned with who will fight hard for the client”. Her main area of practice lies in acting for children, parents, and extended family members in public law proceedings. She is frequently instructed to represent young mothers within care proceedings.
Siobhan is a arbitrator qualified under the IFLA scheme for children matters.
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Children (Public Law)
Siobhan is regularly instructed on highly complex matters including those involving the death of children, extensive medical evidence, allegations of non-accidental injury and extreme sexual abuse. She has detailed knowledge of cases related to factitious induced illness and cases in which there are parallel criminal proceedings.
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Children (Private Law)
Siobhan has a particular familiarity with representing children in private law applications whether through their guardian in Rule 16.4 cases or separately. She represents parents within any private law parental disputes, with a specific emphasis on applications for domestic and international relocation.
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International Family Law
Siobhan is experienced in cases involving the international movement of children including both convention and non-convention abduction cases and other matters with an international element.
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Notable Cases
C v M (A Child) (Abduction: Representation of Child Party) [2023] EWCA Civ 1449
WSP (A Child) (Vaccination: religious objection), Re [2023] EWHC 2622
D (A Child), Re (Abduction: Child's Objections: Representation of Child Party) [2023] EWCA Civ 1047
A Local Authority v The Mother & Ors [2020] EWHC 1233
C (Children: Covid-19: Representation) [2020] EWCA Civ 734
K (Threshold – Cocaine Ingestion – Failure to give evidence) [2020] EWHC 2502
Re TA (A Child) [2016] EWFC 21
Re R BL (A Child) (Supervision Order) [2015] Lexis Citation 47
A & B (Children) [2014] EWHC 818
A&B (Children) [2013] EWHC 4150
The London Borough of Barking & Dagenham v SG & Ors [2014] EWHC 3761
A Local Authority v J [2008] EWHC 1484
Westminster City Council v RA, B AND S [2005] EWHC 970
RE S (Identification: Restrictions on Publication) [2003] EWCA Civ 963
Re M (Intractable Contact Dispute: Interim Care Order) [2003] EWHC 1024
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What the Directories Say
"When I know Siobhan is involved in a case, I instantly relax. She is always very well prepared and has an excellent grasp of all the issues involved." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2025
"Incredibly bright and astute, she really gets straight to the issues and is never distracted. She's very plain-speaking, which is attractive to both the judiciary and also her own clients." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2025
"Anything she doesn't know about children law isn't worth knowing. She's a formidable advocate." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2025
"Siobhan is a skilled and sought-after junior." Tier 5 - Legal 500, 2025
"An exceptionally talented barrister, who's got such a nice rapport with the judges; they sit up and listen when she makes submissions and her points are always spot-on." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2024
"She tactically knows how to put something and is always one step ahead." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2024
"She fights very hard for her clients." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2024
"An experienced, charismatic and reliable junior." Legal 500, 2024
News
Chambers and Partners
Ranked
Band 2- 2024
Legal 500
Leading Junior
2024
Chambers and Partners
Ranked
Band 2 - 2023
Legal 500
Leading Junior
Tier 5 - 2023
