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Julia Cheetham QC

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Julia Cheetham QC - Deans Court Chambers

Specialisms

Education

  • Wilmslow High School
  • Nottingham University LLB (Hons)

Appointments

  • Recorder 2008 (Public Law Family, Private Law Family and Civil)

Professional Associations

  • Northern Circuit
  • Family Law Bar
  • Association

Profile

Julia's practice involves complex proceedings relating to children and young people including care proceedings, adoption, wardship and judicial review.

Julia specialises in cases involving complex medical evidence relating to the death or serious injury of children including head injury, sexual abuse and abnormal illness behaviour. She appears in the High Court and Court of Protection in serious cases involving medical treatment and complex packages of care and withdrawal of life sustaining treatment.

Cases where one parent has killed another or where a child has been unlawfully killed are a particular area of specialism and Julia has represented parents, children and local authorities in such cases many of which have involved high profile criminal cases and/or serious case reviews.

Julia has wide experience in dealing with public law cases with an international element both within the European Union and the British Overseas Territories. She has an interest in disability and Human Rights Issues in particular those relating to Deaf and learning disabled parents. She frequently advises in relation to capacity issues and issues arising for young people who lack capacity.

Julia has recently been involved in the leading case relating to the electronic tagging of parents in care proceedings.

Julia regularly gives seminars to professionals working within the field of child protection including safeguarding training, court craft and expert witness training

Notable Cases

  • Family

    Re X and Y (Children) (No2) [2015] EWHC 2358

    Case involving the security measures to be put in place following the interim hearing in X (Children) below.

  • Family

    XBC v X and Others [2015] EWFC B7

    Case involving secure accommodation and good practice for the provision of mental health services to vulnerable young people.

  • Family

    X (Children) and Y (Children) (Emergency Protection Orders) [2015] EWHC 2265

    Case involving the provisions to be made for children where it is alleged there is a flight risk to Syria.

  • Family

    Cumbria County Council v Q (Injuries to an infant with bone disorder) [2015] EWFC

    Case involving injuries to a young child with vitamin D deficiency and a metabolic bone disorder.

  • Family

    Blackpool v A (A Child) [2015] EWFC 9

    Case involving the killing of a two year old by the mother's boyfriend.

  • Family

    Re A (A Child) [2014] EWCOP 920

    Case involving orders for NG tube feeding of a young woman against her expressed wishes.

  • Family

    Lancashire County Council v CM and F (Children Fact Finding) [2014] EWFC 3

    Re-opeining of finding of fact hearing where a subsequent child of the family died.

  • Family

    Derbyshire County Council v A Mother and A Father [2013] EWHC 1864 (Fam)

    Case involving the salt poisoning of a young infant.

  • Family

    Re X (A Child) [2011] EWHC 3401

    Case involving the consideration of whether a young person with Aspergers Syndrome should give evidence in care proceedings.

  • Family

    Re X

    A Child: Evidence

  • Family

    A Local Authority v A, B and E

    Case concerning an application made within complex care proceedings for the revocation of a violent father's PR.

  • Family

    In the Matter of A and B

    (One Parent Killed by the Other) EWHC B25

  • Family

    Re S and W

    (Care Proceedings) [2007] EWCA Civ [232] [2007] 2 FLR 275.

  • Family

    X County Council v B

    (Emergency Protection Orders) [2004] EWHC 2015 (Fam) [2005] 1 FLR 341.

  • Family

    Re L (Contact: Domestic Violence), Re V (Contact: Domestic Violence)

    Re M (Contact: Domestic Violence) Re H (Contact: Domestic Violence) [2000] 2 FLR 334.

  • Family

    Oldham MBC v. E and Others

    [1994] 1FLR 194.

What the directories say

"She is exemplary. She's always calm, measured and methodical - you feel in incredibly safe hands. Her case preparation, advocacy and drafting is always of the highest quality." "She's client-friendly, extremely bright and very focused on the tactics of the case."

Chambers and Partners, 2022

‘ Julia is an exceptional advocate. Her preparation and attention to detail is impressive. Julia is fearless in presenting arguments on behalf of her clients. She is always a pleasure to work with, however ugly the issues in the case. ’

Legal 500, 2022

"She is exceptional." "She has an excellent reputation."

Chambers and Partners, 2021

'She is exceptional as an advocate and always a pleasure to be in a case with. Careful preparation and fearless in cross examination.’

Legal 500, 2021

"Julia takes an extremely thorough approach and has an incredible eye for detail, leaving no stone unturned. She is very calm and patient and deals with the client in a calm and friendly way, which puts them at ease."

Chambers and Partners, 2020

‘ Dogged in her pursuance of her client’s case. ’

Legal 500, 2020

Highly experienced in matters involving children and vulnerable adults. Her cases cover a range of issues including injuries, sexual abuse and child trafficking. She has a deep understanding of the laws governing British Overseas Territories. "She never fails to impress me with her knowledge and expertise, her calming manner and her proactive, hands-on approach in difficult circumstances." "Julia’s client care skills are second to none. In court she is always courteous, well prepared and able to present her case clearly and effectively."

Chambers and Partners, 2019

‘Very experienced in cases of serious injuries and sexual abuse involving children.’

Legal 500, 2018

‘Her practice includes wardship, care and adoption matters.’

Legal 500, 2017

'Highly experienced in complex children law proceedings'

Legal 500, 2016

Experienced in cases involving neglect and serious injuries to children, as well as medical treatment matters

Legal 500, 2015

Experienced in cases involving fatalities and non-accidental injuries to children.

Legal 500, 2014

of silk quality

Legal 500, 2014

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