Amanda won Family Law Case of the Year at the Family Law Awards 2022. She acted for the children’s guardian in the Supreme Court case of H-W (Children) (No 2) [2022] UKSC 17.
Amanda was shortlisted for Family Law Junior of the Year at the Legal 500 Bar Awards in 2022 and 2024. She has been shortlisted for Advocate of the Year in the Women and Diversity Law Awards 2025.
Amanda is a mentor and champion for Lawyers Who Care, the UK’s first mentoring organisation for care-experienced aspiring lawyers.
FAMILY LAW: CHILDREN'S LAW
Overview
Amanda’s practice focuses on all areas of the law relating to children, including the provision of services to children and young people. She has extensive experience in public law matters and is regularly instructed in cases of the most serious and complex nature including cases involving fatalities, catastrophic injuries, poisoning, FII and sexual abuse.
Amanda is often instructed in Deprivation of Liberty (DOLS) cases and other cases where the inherent jurisdiction is invoked, in particular those involving hospital trusts where medical treatment and/or end-of-life treatment and care are at issue. In one notable case (Re AB (A child) [2018] EWFC 3), the local authority’s care plan would have resulted in the child’s life coming to an end; however, many years after the conclusion of proceedings, the child is still alive and living with his parents.
Amanda is a passionate advocate for the rights of children and the most vulnerable parents in society. She has developed a trauma-informed approach to her work along with some innovative practices to assist the most vulnerable clients in negotiating proceedings and the aftermath of proceedings. Amanda has undertaken extensive training on the impact of trauma and, in turn, regularly provides training on trauma-informed practice and how to best represent vulnerable clients.
Her client care is second to none, always compassionate but focused on achieving the best possible outcome for her client. Amanda is committed to providing trauma-informed representation to survivors of domestic abuse in both private and public law proceedings.
Notable Cases
Amanda won Family Law Case of the Year at the Family Law Awards 2022. She acted for the children’s guardian in the Supreme Court case of H-W (Children) (No 2) [2022] UKSC 17. She was led by Cyrus Larizadeh QC of 4PB Family Law and instructed by David Barney & Co.
See press coverage: The Times
Re T (A Child) [2021] UKSC 35
The case concerned a young person placed in an unregistered secure placement insufficient where there were no places available in registered secure children’s homes and the test was to be applied under the inherent jurisdiction.
Re R and S (Children) (Welfare: long-term foster care) [2022] EWFA B20
Represented a learning-disabled father in a Serious NAI case.
Central Bedfordshire Council -v- F, D, C [2022] EWFC 130
Representing the younger children in a case where serious NAHI was alleged. The court found the injury to be accidental.
Re AB(A child) [2018] EWFC 3
Representing parents of a child with significant life-limiting neurological impairment where the care plan would have resulted in the death of the child. This case had also been the subject of proceedings under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court.
Re W (No 1) Preliminary issue scope of Hearing [2019] EWFC 75
A complex care case involving a disputed diagnosis of FASD.
Medway Council -v- Kent County Council [2016] EWA Civ 366
Re S (A Child Care Order) [2014] EWHC 529 Fam
Contact Amanda
Court of Protection Crossover
Overview
Amanda’s experience relates primarily to cases involving 16-17 year olds who lack capacity, and the crossover with the Children Act 1989, the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court, and the Court of Protection. She has undertaken cases involving medical treatment and Deprivation of Liberty. She acted for the Applicant LA in Re T at first instance, in the Court of Appeal, and the UK Supreme Court.
