Michael practices in the area of Family law in relation to children and in the Court of Protection. He has particular experience in cases involving the deprivation of liberty of children, in the context of both proceedings brought within the Court of Protection and under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court.

Michael’s Children Act practice incorporates cases involving international issues such as that of jurisdiction, placement of children outside of the United Kingdom and transferring proceedings. He is regularly instructed in public law proceedings involving serious injuries to children and has appeared both alone and as junior counsel, in a number of cases in the High Court involving complex medical issues including abusive head trauma/brain injury to infants, and fabricated and induced illness in children.

Michael is the author of the practitioner’s textbook ‘Children: the Inherent Jurisdiction and Wardship’ and has advised and represented various parties within wardship proceedings relating to matters such as abduction, medical treatment and alleged radicalisation. He has a particular interest in the use of the inherent jurisdiction in the context of medical treatment cases relating to children.

In relation to proceedings within the Court of Protection, Michael is experienced in dealing with applications relating to deputyship, general welfare issues and has represented public authorities in cases involving serious medical treatment before Judges of the Family Division. He regularly represents both local authorities and litigation friends, including the Official Solicitor.

In 2015 Michael was awarded a Pegasus Scholarship from Middle Temple. He undertook a 10-week placement in New Zealand, working in the capacity as junior Crown Counsel for the initial part of the placement, where he acted in an advisory capacity to various government departments; he worked on cases involving issues in relation to international jurisdiction and judicial review. He also spent time working in the Ministry of Social Development, the government body responsible for child protection within the New Zealand Court system.

Publications

Articles

“To assess or not to assess: Section 38(6)” (Family Law Journal, October 2011)

“Section 20 v Private Fostering” (Family Law Journal, May 2012)

"The Inherent Jurisdiction: what place does it have in the future of family justice?" (Family Law Journal, November 2015)

“Deprivation of a child’s liberty: Section 25 and the need for legislative reform” (Family Law Journal, June 2017)

"Secure Accommodation: Problems and Solutions’ (Family Law Journal, September 2020)

Michael has also contributed to Family Law Week online, in respect of both case summaries and topical legal articles and contributed to other publications such as Counsel Magazine.

Books

“Children: the Inherent Jurisdiction and Wardship” (Jordan’s Publishing, 2016)

Interests

Michael enjoys endurance sports, in particular running, swimming and cycling. He practices martial arts and has represented England at an amateur level at the WKC world championships in 2009. He also has a keen interest in cinema, music and cooking (often with mixed results).