Private Children Law
The private law team at Deans Court Chambers is recognised on the Northern Circuit and beyond as having a dedication to excellence and a reputation for protecting the interests of the parents, grandparents, intervenors, and subject children they represent.

- Our Areas of Expertise
- Family
- Private Children Law
The specialist team encompasses a breadth of expertise, which is reflected in the entries from the legal directories that are celebrated, and the complex and challenging nature of the work each member of the team undertakes.
The team’s case load encompasses the full range of section 8 orders including, but not limited to, child arrangements, prohibited steps, specific issues, injunctive relief, internal and international relocation, child abduction, and fertility law. The team has considerable experience dealing with these cases in the Family Division and the Court of Appeal– either alongside or against leading counsel.
Regardless of the issues at play, the team prides itself on client care and recognises the emotional strain associated with applying for a private law order or responding to such an application. Flexibility is offered to accommodate conferences prior to a hearing, and advice can be provided in writing, by telephone, or via video conferencing.
The extent of the team’s experience allows for a full-service offering. We will strive to provide continuity and wherever possible for an interlinked service if there are concurrent matrimonial finance proceedings. In addition, our childcare specialists are fully versed in child protection procedures and processes where significant harm to children is being alleged and pursued, enabling private law proceedings to be handled efficiently and effectively.
Beyond this, each member of the team is fully acquainted with developing case law and frequently offer training to solicitor firms on alienating behaviours, domestic abuse, and legal parentage.
Members of the team can be instructed via the clerks, who can be contacted on;
Peter Conwell - Senior Civil & Family Clerk - pconwell@deanscourt.co.uk - 0161 214 6008
Louise McCarty - Family Clerk - lmccarty@deanscourt.co.uk - 0161 214 6020
Gavin Reeves - Family Clerk - greeves@deanscourt.co.uk - 0161 214 6053
Our Private Children Law team
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Susan Grocott KC
Call: 1986 Silk: 2008
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Julia Cheetham KC
Call: 1990 Silk: 2015
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Timothy Bowe KC
Call: 2003 Silk: 2023
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Michael Jones KC
Call: 2008 Silk: 2023
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Heather Hobson
Call: 1987
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Bansa Singh Hayer
Call: 1988
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Peter Rothery
Call: 1994
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Kate Akerman
Call: 1994
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Carolyn Bland
Call: 1995
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Sasha Watkinson
Call: 1998
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Joanna Moody
Call: 1998
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Elizabeth Morton
Call: 1999
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Rebecca Gregg
Call: 2003
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Anna Bentley
Call: 2004
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Molly Giles
Call: 2005
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Helen Wilkinson
Call: 2007
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Annie Sayers
Call: 2009
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Hannah Whelan
Call: 2010
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Emily Price
Call: 2012
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Patrick Gilmore MCIArb
Call: 2014
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Toby Craddock
Call: 2015
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Prudence Beaumont
Call: 2016
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Sonny Flood
Call: 2017
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Adam Singh Hayer
Call: 2018
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Liam Kelly
Call: 2019
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Olivia Mukherjee
Call: 2019
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Molly Gill
Call: 2019
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Jack Barber
Call: 2022
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Katie Lynch
Call: 2023