Sonny Flood

Sonny joined Deans Court Chambers in April 2019 following successful completion of pupillage under the supervision of Peter Rothery.

Prior to embarking on a career at the Bar, Sonny worked in the media industry for many years, before enrolling at university. Post-graduation, Sonny worked as a paralegal at an international commercial solicitors’ firm in Manchester, before completing his BPTC.

Under Peter Rothery, Sonny was exposed to complex family law (children) matters, shadowing in the High Court on several lengthy finding of fact hearings for non-accidental injury, involving complex medical evidence, extensive expert witness handling and significant disclosure failings by Local Authorities and police forces. Sonny researched and drafted numerous advices (including advices on appeal) in care proceedings, in particular as to the role and remit of medical experts within those proceedings. Sonny also worked closely with his supervisor on cases involving fabricated and induced illness, gender dysphoria and allegations of sexual abuse, as well as issues of longstanding neglect, domestic abuse and substance and alcohol misuse.

Since being in practice, Sonny has undertaken a broad spectrum of family law work, having been instructed at all stages in numerous public and private family law (children) matters (both for Applicants and Respondents), financial remedy proceedings and Family Law Act 1996 proceedings for non-molestation and occupation orders. He routinely appears in the Family Court, receiving instructions across the North-West and further afield, and has been instructed to appear before the High Court in care proceedings.

Sonny prides himself on his client care and his ability to build a strong working relationship with clients when dealing with sensitive subject material. In care proceedings, Sonny has experience of dealing with clients where issues of capacity have been raised and expert instruction has been sought and challenged; he has also gained experience dealing with ground rules hearings and the appointment of intermediaries. In private law children work, Sonny regularly acts for both Applicants and Respondents from straightforward contact disputes to more complex matters, including finding of fact hearings for allegations of domestic abuse and dealing with extensive psychological profiles of parents and the impact of this on their ability to promote contact. Sonny has also represented Local Authorities within private law children matters where they have been invited to participate by the Court.

Whilst Sonny continues to build a busy family law practice (both children and finance), this is complemented by continued instruction in civil proceedings, where he acts for both Claimants and Defendants in personal injury matters.

On a more personal note, Sonny has recently welcomed a baby boy and enjoys spending time with his new family outside of Court.