Free Webinar – Privacy and Protection: The use of covert recordings in family proceedings and withholding notice of proceedings from abusive parents

In this webinar, William Tautz explored the legal, evidential and practical issues and examined the consequences arising from the use of covert recordings by parents in family cases including:

• Should you listen?
• Should you share it?
• Is it lawful?
• Is it admissible?
• Is it relevant?
• Could it backfire?

Laura Williams explored withholding notice of family proceedings from fathers, explaining the competing rights and interests involved in these applications.

Speakers

James Holmes, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers (Chair)
James specialises in  Children’s Law, Court of Protection and International Family Law. James’s practice covers all legal issues concerning children. James is regularly instructed to represent local authorities, parents and Children’s Guardian. James is particularly interested in the cases concerning non-accidental injuries, deprivation of liberty orders and cases with an international element. James has developed a particular expertise complex public law matters, including those dealing with; death of/catastrophic injuries to a child, shaken baby, sexual abuse and trauma, non-accidental injury cases, fabricated induced illness, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and abandoned spouse cases. James has also been instructed in matters in the High Court concerning the use of special advocates and material proceedings and transfer of jurisdictions.

William Tautz, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers 
William Tautz is a children’s family law specialist. He practices in both public and private children’s law, including care proceedings, adoption, international cases, and deprivation of liberty. William acts on behalf of parents, children, and local authorities.  He undertakes complex and serious cases including those involving allegations of sexual abuse and serious physical harm. William is a committed legal aid lawyer who continues to undertake publicly funded private children’s law cases that involve complex issues and where very experienced counsel is required. He is particularly suited to representing vulnerable clients, including those with a background of mental health issues, trauma, learning needs, or neurodiversity.

Laura Williams, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers 
Laura specialises in public family law cases representing all parties in care proceedings, deprivation of liberty, secure accommodation and adoption proceedings. She has a particular interest in representing neurodivergent parents and children, whose needs are often misunderstood or ignored. Laura also has experience of care proceedings with an international element, including placement outside the jurisdiction and the potential transfer of proceedings under Articles 8 and 9 of the 1996 Hague Child Protection Convention.