Education
- Oulder Hill Community School
- Exeter College, Oxford BA (Oxon)
- Inns of Court School of Law
Appointments
- Head of the Family Team
- 2004 Recorder (Northern Circuit) – Crime & Family (Public and private Law)
- 2011 Deputy High Court Judge, Family Division
Professional Associations
- Family Law Bar Association, Joint Chair Manchester Committee
- Northern Circuit Administrative Law Association
- Manchester Family Justice Council – FLBA rep
Profile
Susan undertook pupillage in London in Fountain Court where she was a pupil of Peter Goldsmith, the former attorney general and David Railton, and at 5 Pump Court with Michael Jennings. In 1988 Susan joined Queens Chambers in Manchester and established a mixed common law practice which evolved into a busy family practice particularly in money work and care proceedings.
Susan moved to the family team at Deans Court Chambers in 2002 from where she continued to build a formidable reputation as a leading family practitioner in both money and children work. Susan’s practice has always encompassed all aspects of family and related work including professional negligence claims in the family field, TOLATA, declaratory work and judicial review.
In 2008 Susan was appointed to the rank of Queens Counsel. She was Leading Counsel for the Local Authority in Re S-B.
Susan has developed a reputation for a meticulous eye for detail and powerful straightforward advocacy. In silk Susan continues to undertake both money and care/private law children work and she increasingly undertakes advisory work for various public bodies on practice/policy issues.
Susan is a speaker in demand and gives seminars on a variety of topics both in chambers and to a number or organisations in the North and overseas.
Notable Cases
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Family
Re R (Care Proceedings: Causation) [2011]
EWHC 1715 (Fam) [20011] 2 FLR 1384
-
Family
Re S-B (Children) [2009]
UKSC 17 [2010] 1 FLR 1161
-
Family
Lancashire County Council v R [2008]
EWHC 2959 (Fam) [2010] 1 FLR 387
-
Family
Re AB (Care Proceedings: Disclosure of Medical Evidence to the Police) [2002]
EWHC 2198 (Fam) [2003] 1 FLR 579
What the directories say
Has a diverse practice, advising on a range of finance issues in addition to public and private children work. Her caseload includes an emphasis on negligence, serious injury and induced illness. "A formidable advocate. She has an insightful knowledge about her cases. Calm and reassuring and very able." "Fabulous advocate and leader, who responds quickly to any queries."
Chambers and Partners, 2018
‘Highly recommended for private law children work.’
Legal 500, 2017
Has a diverse practice, advising on a range of finance issues in addition to public and private children work. Her caseload includes an emphasis on negligence, serious injuries and induced illness. "Provides robust, pragmatic and client-centric advice. She is a pleasure to work with." "She is very driven to meeting her client's needs and a pleasure to work with."
Chambers UK, 2017
Distils large quantities of complex information to the essential arguments.
Legal 500, 2015
A leading practitioner in financial matters and the law relating to children. Instructing solicitors particularly appreciate her straightforward approach to cases."She would be my first port of call. She is direct and has a down-to-earth approach to things which is not commonly found".
Chambers UK, 2015
Calm under pressure and measured in her delivery.
Legal 500, 2014
specialise in matrimonial finance and private children law.
Legal 500, 2014
She was very fair in a difficult situation. She came to a very fair conclusion.
Chambers UK, 2014
Applies "assiduous preparation" to high-value family law issues. She is also particularly highly regarded for her knowledge of children law cases.
Chambers UK, 2013
Offers no-nonsense advocacy, phenomenal memory and thorough preparation.
Chambers UK, 2012
She talks the same language as her clients, which enables her to forge strong relationships with them.
Chambers UK 2011
Recommended for childcare matters.
Legal 500, 2011
Recommended for [her] sensitivity in care cases.
Legal 500, 2010
In her element with medical issues in childcare proceedings.
Legal 500, 2009
Applauded for her sensible and hard-working attitude.
Chambers UK 2009
Calls a spade a spade and has a fantastic grasp of issues.
Chambers UK 2008
Clever, conscientious and dedicated to her work.
Chambers UK 2007
