Sorrel Dixon

Year of Call: 1987

Sorrel has been a family law specialist for most of her career. Her main specialism is in the field of non-accidental injury and child sexual abuse, but she covers all proceedings relating to children including private law disputes and adoption.

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FAMILY LAW: CHILDREN'S LAW

Overview

Sorrel represents local authorities, parents, Gillick competent children and children's guardians. Her expertise is in the following areas:

  • Infant deaths and near deaths
  • Complex non-accidental injuries, in particular head injuries
  • Fabricated or induced illness
  • Child sexual abuse including inter-generational abuse where the child may be both victim and abuser
  • Cases of chronic abuse and neglect
  • Cases involving concurrent criminal and care proceedings and public interest immunity issues

Sorrel believes in an empathetic approach to all clients, particularly parents, tempered with firm practical advice. She is a strong believer in teamwork and welcomes early involvement in cases.

Notable Cases

A Local Authority v A & B & C & D [2011] EWHC 231 (Fam). Care proceedings.
Failure to follow guidance issued by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health left serious evidential gaps in the courts' ability to assess the likelihood of sexual abuse in a pre-pubertal child. Need for the medical profession to follow the Guidance, in all but the most exceptional cases, re-stated.

LB Richmond v B & W & B & CB [2010] EWHC 2903 (Fam). Reported at (2011) 1 FCR 401
Care proceedings. Issue was the extent to which hair strand testing was a valid or reliable means of establishing whether a parent has consumed alcohol and, if so, to what extent. The Court analysed the science in detail and emphasised the need for the exercise of considerable caution in the interpretation of the results and the reliance placed on them.

A Local Authority v S [2009] EWHC 2115 (Fam). Reported at (2010) 1 FLR 1560
Case concerned expert evidence surrounding allegations of baby-shaking. Judgment found factual errors and prejudice in the evidence provided by experts.

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CROSS-BORDER FAMILY CASES

Overview

Sorrel has expertise in children cases with an international element, including child abduction.

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Sorrel Dixon

Notable Cases & News

Jury rejects prosecution of joint enterprise murder and finds six black boys not guilty of murder and manslaughter

Counsel acting for the defendants included Icah Peart KC, Keir Monteith KC, Victoria Meads, Daniel Jameson and Gerwyn Wise of the Garden Court Crime Team.

Thursday 6 Feb 2025

Tom Wainwright successfully overturns victim of modern slavery’s conviction after 17 years

Tom Wainwright of the Garden Court Crime Team was instructed by Philippa Southwell and Nadia Wahid of Southwell & Partners Solicitors.

Wednesday 5 Feb 2025

Court of Appeal orders urgent hearing in important case on child criminal exploitation and school exclusions

The Appellant is represented by Nicola Braganza KC, Ollie Persey and Alex Temple of Garden Court Chambers. They are assisted by Maya Thomas Davis (first six pupil). In the High Court, the Appellant was also represented by Harry Harris. They are instructed by Kate Ward and Karen May at Bindmans LLP assisted by Tatyana Koleva.

Tuesday 4 Feb 2025

Authors of ‘Racial Bias and the Bench’ Report make submission to Independent Review of the Criminal Courts

The co-authors of the report, ‘Racial Bias and the Bench‘, which includes Keir Monteith KC of Garden Court Chambers and Professor Eithne Quinn of The University of Manchester, have made a submission to the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, led by Former President of the Queen’s Bench Division, Sir Brian Leveson.

Monday 3 Feb 2025

Sonali Naik KC makes closing submissions at UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 4

Today, public hearings for Module 4 (Vaccine and Therapeutics) have closed.

Friday 31 Jan 2025

Clarion Housing Association ordered to pay significant compensation for discriminating against tenant

Ms Feeney was represented by Nick Bano of the Garden Court Chambers Housing Law Team. Nick was instructed by Serdar Celebi and Anna Jones at Islington Law Centre.

Friday 31 Jan 2025

    Professional Memberships

    • Family Law Bar Association (FLBA)
    • Association of Lawyers for Children

    We are top ranked by independent legal directories and consistently win awards.

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