Carolyn Bland

Year of Call: 1995, Inner Temple

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Carolyn commenced in practice as a solicitor starting her articles of clerkship in 1989 with a common law based firm of solicitors. During that time she was involved in assisting in the preparation of a number of criminal appeals arising out of the practices of the West Midlands Serious Crime Squad.

Carolyn qualified as a solicitor in 1991 and practised mainly within the civil field until 1995 when, enjoying advocacy and relishing a new challenge, she transferred to the Bar securing pupillage at Kenworthy’s Chambers.

After a subsequent move to Young Street Chambers Carolyn built up a strong Public Law practice.

In 2005 Carolyn accepted an invitation to join Deans Court Chambers’ family team where she has been able to continue to develop her commitment to this particular area of the law. It is an area in which Carolyn believes the effective representation of all parties in public law proceedings is vitally important to ensure successful outcomes for children.

Carolyn’s skill and expertise is recognised by the fact that she is instructed by Local Authorities, solicitors acting for parents, relatives and children alike. She is also instructed on behalf of children in complex private law cases.

Carolyn has extensive experience of acting in cases of serious injury to children and sexual abuse and has been instructed in a number of cases of suspected factitious induced illness/ illness related behaviour.

 

Notable Cases

  • Cumbria CC v M & Ors [2016]EWFC 27

    Family

  • LCC v C,M & F (Children: Fact Finding) [2014]EWFC 3

    Family

  • Cumbria CC v M & Ors [2014] EWFC 18

    Family

  • N-C (Children) [2011]EWCA Civ 1434

    Family

  • Re N (Children) [2011] EWCA Civ 1434

    Family

  • Kirklees MDC v S (Contact to newborn Babies) [2006] 1 FLR 333

    Family

  • Re M (Children) (Determination of responsibility for injuries) [2002] EWCA Civ 499

    Family

  • Re MH (A child) (Care Proceedings: Children's Guardian) [2001] 2 FLR 1334

    Family

  • Family

    Representing a father in private law proceedings who had suffered significant head trauma and was seeking contact with his child.

  • Family

    Representing children whose mother was charged with allowing the death of their sibling.

  • Family

    Represented a father in care proceedings where the mother of one of their children was thought to have caused its death.

  • Family

    Representing grandparents as carers for children whose mother had been charged with the murder of another.

  • Family

    Representing Crown in care proceedings in the Falkland Islands.

Appointments

  • GMC Panel of Advocates
  • Approved Counsel for the Falkland Islands

Professional Associations

  • Northern Circuit
  • Family Law Bar Association
  • Child Concern

Education

  • Guildford School of Law
  • University of Reading
  • Dr Challoner’s High School for Girls