Karly McGuire
Karly was called to the bar in 2022 after a successful career as a Solicitor-Advocate. Karly qualified as a solicitor in 2007, having completed her training contract at Suffolk County Council. Her specialism became care proceedings, undertaking work for the Local Authority in a range of extensive and complex matters.
In 2013, Karly obtained her Higher Rights qualification in civil proceedings and joined the in-house advocacy unit at SCC. Karly completed her higher rights in criminal proceedings in 2016 and took on a multi-disciplined advocate role, undertaking care proceedings, police law matters and work for the Probation Service. She has always had a strong interest in protective orders and has gained experience in a number of such areas, including Forced Marriage Protection Orders, Stalking Prevention Orders and Domestic Violence Protection Orders.
Since transferring to the bar, Karly has gained substantial experience in both private and public law matters during her time at Cardinal Chambers. Karly enjoys undertaking work for a number of Local Authorities, as well as work for Guardians and Parents.
In her limited spare time, Karly is a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Law, primarily teaching on the BPC.
Sally Catton-Newell
Following completion of a degree in Psychology Sally worked for Suffolk County Council undertaking Public Law Children Act cases. Having completed her studies in law she was called to the Bar in 2009 and has practising in family law ever since.
Sally specialises in Children Act cases, both Private Law and Public Law, and has acted for Local Authorities, parents and Guardians in all manner of hearings including fact finding and final hearings. Sally has extensive experience in representing clients in public law cases involving domestic violence, physical, sexual and emotional abuse and non accidental injury. In terms of her private law practice she has experience in cases involving removal from the jurisdiction applications, cases of parental alienation, domestic abuse and disputes on child arrangements.
Sally is described as an understanding advocate who has a calming and reassuring approach with clients. She has sensitively represented parents with additional learning needs and clients experiencing mental health difficulties or addictions. Sally is able to negotiate effectively but also act persuasively in court to achieve the best outcome for her clients.
Francesca Wiley KC (Door Tenant)
Francesca practices at the very highest level in both Private and Public Law Children Act cases, particularly where there are profoundly serious allegations against the parties.
Prior to joining the Family Bar, she specialised in Criminal and Human Rights Law and as a result, much of her work covers the crossover between the family and criminal jurisdictions. This includes very many cases where there is a need for fact-finding and consequential or concurrent applications and investigations in criminal proceedings. Francesca specialises in cases where clients or other parties have been accused of murder, attempted murder of their children or partners, sexual abuse, paedophile rings, trafficking, radicalisation, and other very serious offences. Such cases often require medical and factual cross-examination of the highest calibre.
Francesca has a further interest in matters involving underlying medical issues for children and adults, ranging from underlying genetic, bone and vascular disorders to factitious disorders and cases where an opposing party may have profound, yet undiagnosed personality and mental health difficulties.
She is also regularly instructed in cases where addiction is an issue within a family and instructed in cases of parental alienation where recruitment of children against a parent has led to false allegations. Francesca is well known for her expertise in fact finding in private law cases.
Francesca also undertakes inquests-based work internationally as well as having a significant on-going interest in human rights-based work in the UK and internationally and has been instructed in Kenya, The Falkland Islands and Mozambique.
Francesca specialises in cases both in Private and Public Law which have an international element.
Awarded the grade of MCIArb by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and able to also provide Early Neutral Evaluations, Francesca readily commends these alternatives as well to litigation and welcomes all instructions in the same.
Francesca is qualified to undertake work through public access and is very experienced in the same.
Children (Private Law)
Francesca is an expert in representing parents in the most difficult and intractable Private Law matters, some of whom are victims of life changing allegations from their partners and / or children to stop contact. Clients have often been separated from their children for significant periods of time or find themselves falsely accused of serious criminal offences against their ex-partners and children. Such cases often involve disputed facts requiring fact-finding, in which she is particularly experienced.
Francesca is also frequently instructed in the most sensitive contact disputes including cases where addiction in the family may be an issue as well as cases where parents have hitherto undiagnosed mental health and personality difficulties impacting upon the litigation and the approach taken to the children. Her clients include very high-profile individuals and professionals including doctors, lawyers, celebrities and many whose professional bodies require allegations made against them to be urgently resolved, often in order to continue to work.
Selected Cases
• Re D (A child) (Appeal Out of Time)[2020]EWHC 1167 (Fam)
• MDR v MDR (Suspended Residence Transfer – parental alienation)[2019]EWHC B61 Fam
• Re J and K (Children: Private Law) [2014] EWHC 330 (Fam)
• T v S (Wardship) [2012] 1 FLR 230
• PA v CK and Ors [2018]EWHC 2004 (Fam)
Children (Public Law)
Parents, grandparents, carers, Guardians and Local Authorities regularly instruct Francesca in the most serious Public Law cases at High Court and Appellate level. In particular, she specialises in cases involving very significant injuries and/or the death of children in disputed circumstances, as well as child sexual abuse, trafficking, radicalisation and forced marriage. Often, in these cases, the police have not prosecuted or are awaiting charging decisions. She often undertakes cases involving serious head injuries, where there may be potential genetic and other underlying blood and bone disorders present, as well as those in which the medical evidence is so complex that the experts cannot agree.
Selected Cases
• A County Council v L and Ors [2021]EWHC 48
• Re D (A child)(Appeal Out of Time)[2020]EWHC 1167
• X RE [2015] EWFC B168 (12 May 2015)
• GO v EN & Ors [2014] EWHC 3622 (Fam) (17 October 2014)
• Peterborough County Council v SU & Ors [2014] EWFC B92
• Surrey County Council v AB & Others [2014] EWHC 1115 (Fam)
• Re C (Family Assistance Order) Magistrate’s Court of the Falkland Islands (2014)
• Re A and B (Wardship and Supervision Order) Falkland Islands’ Supreme Court (2013)
• Re A and B (Reporting of Judgment) Falkland Islands’ Supreme Court (2013)
• Re J (Child Giving Evidence) [2010] EWHC 962 (Fam) 2 FLR 1080
• Re S (A Child) [2009] EWCA civ 945 Re M [2007] 2 FLR 1006
Ben Pearson
Hilary O’Keefe
Hilary accepts instructions in the following specialisms;
Public and Private Children Law
Hilary represents local authorities, parents and children in care and adoption proceedings involving neglect, alleged non-accidental injuries to children, domestic abuse, emotional and physical abuse, sexual abuse, substance misuse, mental health concerns and deprivation of liberty.
Hilary represents parents and children in all applications under the Children Act 1989 including child arrangements orders, special guardianship orders, specific issue orders and the enforcement of orders.
Court of Protection
Hilary represents local authorities and family members in the Court of Protection in matters concerning welfare and deprivation of liberty.
Coroner’s Inquests
Hilary represents interested persons at Coroner’s inquests, including pre-inquest review hearings.
Special Educational Needs
Hilary appears in the First-Tier Tribunal in matters concerning the provision for special educational needs.
Direct Access
Hilary is registered to accept instructions under the Direct Access scheme.
Professional Memberships
Hilary is a member of the Family Law Bar Association.
Background
Prior to coming to the Bar Hilary worked for eight years in local government in Norfolk assessing the local authority’s statutory duties to the homeless in accordance with Part VII of the Housing Act 1996. During this time Hilary developed extensive experience of dealing with vulnerable people, many of whom had mental health issues, substance misuses issues, had fled domestic violence, or had left prison or local authority care. Hilary then worked for three years as a Legal Officer in local government providing advice and support to Adult Social Services on matters of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, proceedings in the Court of Protection and inquests, and gave advice to schools on education law. Hilary also undertook voluntary work as an Appropriate Adult in police custody protecting the rights of juveniles and detainees with learning difficulties and mental health issues.
Hilary therefore has considerable experience of dealing with people from all walks of life and understands the challenges faced by public bodies in meeting their statutory responsibilities.
Hilary has close connections to East Anglia having lived and worked in the region for the majority of her life.
Emma Cattermull
Emma has developed a successful practice in civil and family law. Emma is an experienced civil law practitioner accepting instructions in a broad range of civil law disciplines including contract, commercial and property law. She regularly appears in the local County Courts on matters such as:
• Contract disputes
• Credit Hire
• Landlord and Tenant
• Housing (particularly matters involving anti social behavior and disability issues)
• Negligence
• Personal injury
• Probate and Inheritance Act claims
• Insolvency
• TLATA applications
• Boundary disputes
Emma represents both Claimants and Defendants in multi track, fast track and small claim trials, interim hearings, CMC’s and cost management hearings, damage assessments and hearings in the Coroner’s Court.
She is regularly instructed in all aspects of litigation whether it be for her advocacy skills, drafting pleadings or advising in relation to liability or quantum.
Emma has a wide range of experience in private and public law cases and regularly represents parents, grandparents, Guardians and Local Authorities.
Emma is well regarded for taking a professional and thorough approach to each case whilst maintaining her down to earth and approachable style.
Emma is available for direct instruction under the Bar Council Public Access scheme.
Susannah Jones
Specialising in private law and care work, Susannah Jones is a popular, busy and well-respected member of Octagon Legal’s Family Law team. Her charm and professionalism have earned her many compliments and her personable manner endears her to her clients.
Susannah was called to the Bar in 1997 and joined chambers as a pupil under HHJ Jeremy Richards.
She regularly represents Local Authorities, parents and children within care proceedings and has extensive experience of acting in complex fact-finding hearings.
She is regularly instructed in private law disputes concerning residence and contact, and has experience representing children in the High Court when their interests require that they are separately represented.
Susannah also has considerable experience in dealing with cases involving domestic violence and injunctions, including for very vulnerable clients.
Susannah is qualified to advise and represent clients directly through Public Access. Where appropriate, she can receive documents electronically and engage in conferences though Skype or Facetime.
Sharon Grey
With a reputation for providing a high standard of representation, Sharon Grey practices exclusively in Family Law.
She came to the Bar following a long and successful career as a Broadcast Journalist in radio and television news, and joined Octagon Legal following 3 years practising Criminal Law and Immigration Law in chambers in London.
In Public Law care proceedings Sharon predominantly represents parents and grandparents, but also has considerable experience representing Local Authorities and children. She is regularly instructed in cases involving serious child neglect, child abuse and child cruelty.
Sharon also has extensive experience and expertise representing parents, grandparents and children in difficult and intractable Private Law disputes over child arrangements.
She regularly takes part in roundtable discussions to achieve agreement and final orders between parties who have been involved in extremely stressful and long-running disputes. Sharon frequently represents clients in related applications such as Removal from the area or jurisdiction.
While always ensuring that her clients receive strong representation Sharon provides sensible advice in a sensitive manner enabling her clients to understand and clearly consider the options available to them.
Sharon undertook training and obtained a qualification in Mediation after qualifying as a barrister.
She is qualified to represent and advise clients directly under Public Access.
When necessary she can receive documents electronically and engage in conferences with clients via a range of video platforms or telephone calls.
Robert Aldous (Head of Chambers)
With a wealth of experience in both Family and Civil Law, Robert Aldous is consistently recommended in the Chambers Directory.
Robert has substantial experience in all areas of family law. He deals with ancillary relief and Children Act work (child arrangements as well as care proceedings).He handles co-habitation disputes and TOLATA cases. He is very experienced in cases involving domestic abuse, injunctions and occupation orders.
Having come from a farming background he also specialises in ancillary relief cases involving farms and many small businesses.
Robert also has over 25 years experience in conducting civil litigation. He has successfully tackled a wide range of cases, including contractual disputes, personal injury claims and inheritance disputes.
He has a strong reputation for giving clear and robust advice to clients and for firm and to the point cross-examinations in court and tribunals. His advocacy is clear and directed at the relevant issues, and his long experience means he knows what evidence is necessary and what the judges are interested in.
With the growth of mediation and alternative dispute resolution in recent years, Robert’s negotiation skills have been actively sought out for representing clients at difficult mediations.
Robert also advises and represents clients directly through Public Access.
What others say:
“He tackled all of his varied caseload with maturity and assurance”
“He can be relied upon to give it to you fair and straight” – Chambers & Partners UK directory
Marika Bell
Marika Bell is a family law specialist with 30 years’ experience of all types of cases involving children in both private law and public law proceedings.
In public law care proceedings she is regularly instructed in cases involving allegations of non-accidental injury, particularly cases involving complex medical evidence. Her experience includes cases where fabricated illness, sexual abuse, physical and emotional abuse and neglect are alleged. She represents parents, children, extended family members and local authorities and regularly assists clients with additional mental health needs or learning disabilities, including matters in which the Official Solicitor has been appointed.
In private law cases, Marika’s experience includes applications for Child Arrangements Orders and enforcement of those orders, leave to remove children from the jurisdiction, intractable disputes in which Guardians have been appointed by the Court and complex cases involving allegations of sexual, physical and emotional harm. Marika has also been instructed to deal with Forced Marriage Protection Orders and cases involving domestic violence.
Marika has built a reputation for combining thorough preparation with sound advice and an approach that is simultaneously sensitive and tenacious. Marika aims to alleviate the stress of proceedings for her clients with a calm and empathic approach and a continuity of representation wherever possible.
She also advises and represents clients directly through Public Access.
Notable cases:
Re A (Children) [2012] EWCA Civ 185
Katie Harris
Katie Harris specialises in both Private and Public Law Children Act proceedings, as well as cases involving domestic violence. She has significant experience representing parents and grandparents, including in issues concerning with whom a child should live and how often they should spend time with a parent, as well as schooling, taking children overseas and parental rights and responsibility.
Katie regularly represents Local Authorities, parents and children within care proceedings and has a great deal of experience in all types of cases including neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse and non-accidental injuries.
Her experience representing all parties within care proceedings enables her to provide objective and experienced advice to any client within care proceedings.
Katie is known for her straightforward and honest advice and representation, delivered in a client-focused manner. She has a reputation as a skilled and conciliatory negotiator, while maintaining a robust and focused approach in court.
Katie is qualified to take instructions on a Public Access basis from clients. Having first practised as a Solicitor before her call to the Bar, she is well equipped to provide a full service to Public Access clients.
Helen Prinn
With a wealth of experience in all aspects of Family Law, Helen Prinn has extensive experience in the County Court and High Court, particularly relating to Child Abduction. Beyond this, she also represents parents in care proceedings.
Helen is extremely confident dealing with ancillary relief proceedings. She is instructed on a wide range of cases involving modest as well as significant wealth and cases with overseas assets. She also advises and represents cohabitants in disputes and Trust of Land claims (TOLATA).
Helen recently had success in the Court of Appeal in an important case concerning the change of residence of a child following difficulties over contact.
Helen is qualified to advise and represent clients directly through public access.
Notable cases:
Re. L February 2014, (an important case concerning the change of Residence of a child following difficulties over Contact.)
Fiona Baruah
With 17 years of experience working in the field of family law, Fiona Baruah specialises in Children work. She represents all parties in private law disputes between parents in respect of their children, as well as public law work relating to child protection issues.
Representing children, parents, Local Authorities and the Official Solicitor, she regularly deals with issues including relationship breakdown, sexual and physical abuse, non-accidental injury, neglect, domestic violence and injunctions.
She is an excellent communicator, assisting clients to fully understand the issues presented at an extremely stressful period in their lives. Given the nature of her work, negotiation is very important and Fiona employs her experience to ensure the best outcome for her clients. She is also used to dealing with people who have mental health issues or are aggressive/difficult and manages them effectively.
Away from the Court building, Fiona also represents clients at round the table meetings, employing her advocacy and negotiating skills in a more relaxed environment. As a local practitioner who has practised in this area for her whole career, she is able to advise clients with full knowledge of the local judiciary.
Fiona is married with two children and enjoys spending time with her family.
Notable cases:
Suffolk County Council v S 1997 G (a child) [2010]
EWCA 470 Re P (a child) [2008]
EWCA Civ 535 Re A (children) (care proceedings: judge meeting with child) [2012]
EWCA Civ 185
Jeremy Dugdale
Jeremy Dugdale undertakes public and private law family work, specialising in cases involving children and with a special interest in mental health.
Having begun his career in London in 1992, undertaking a mixture of criminal and family work, he appeared in all levels of Court from the Magistrates to the Court of Appeal, before returning to his native Norfolk in 2000.
Jeremy maintained a mixed practice until 2004, when, having begun to sit as a Judge on Mental Health Tribunals, he stopped criminal work in order to focus solely on family cases.
His grounding in criminal trials stands him in good stead in cases where factual disputes require thorough cross-examination of witnesses, whilst his background in family law means that he is experienced in providing reassurance and working with sensitivity.
Jeremy acts for Local Authorities, parents and children in a wide variety of proceedings. He is particularly sought out in cases involving non-accidental injury or allegations of physical or sexual abuse of children. From 2008 to 2013, Chambers and Partners have commended his work and he is recommended in the Legal 500.
Jeremy lives in North Norfolk with his wife and 3 children and when not in Court takes every opportunity to mess about in boats.
What other say:
From 2008 to 2013, Chambers and Partners have said:
“Dugdale always delivers a high standard of service and presentation on behalf of his clients.”
“Jeremy Dugdale ‘has all the attributes of a great barrister’”.
“an impressive children’s barrister with a particular interest in mental health issues.”
Notable cases:
Re C and B (Care Order: Future Harm) [2001] 1 FLR 611.
Wood v Collins [2006] EWCA Civ 743 (establishing the principle that one can appeal as of right on the grounds that a sentence for contempt is unduly lenient).
A (Children) [2012] EWCA Civ 185 (appeal arising out the Judge seeing a child during a complex fact-finding hearing concerning sexual abuse of a number of children by a number of adults).
Jeremy also recently represented Norfolk County Council in care proceedings where the Police had not pursued the allegations made by various children. The care proceedings resulted in comprehensive findings of sexual abuse being made, which led to a Police prosecution and a lengthy custodial sentence for the offender.
Paul Butterworth
Having spent several years in a successful Common Law set in Lincoln’s Inn, Paul Butterworth came to Norwich to become a popular, respected and busy member of the Civil Law and Family Law teams at Octagon Legal.
Paul deals with a wide variety of Civil cases – Landlord and Tenant including possession proceedings, applications for injunctions and committal proceedings, disrepair and succession claims. He also has experience of dealing with niche areas within housing law such as disability issues and anti-social behaviour problems. He also covers all areas relating to personal injury, negligence (infant settlements, small claims and MOJ portal and cost case management matters), contractual disputes, discrimination and TOLATA 1996 claims.
Paul also deals in Family Law include Children Act cases, both within care proceedings and private law proceedings and injunction matters. He has been involved in a number of notable cases, including complex cases involving complex issues of residency and cases relating to adoption procedures that have had far-reaching implications for all Local Authorities.
His friendly and open approach means that Paul can connect with clients from all walks of life. He offers careful, clear and consistent advice, guiding his clients through what can often be a very emotional and fraught time.
Paul is qualified to advise and represent clients directly through Public Access and, where appropriate, can communicate with clients remotely via Skype, Facetime and email.
Notable cases:
Re: S Johnson J 2002/4; Fundamental Muslim father & Irish Catholic mother – both seeking residence – mother then seeking removal from jurisdiction – relevance of father’s beliefs.
Re: P – Before full Appeal Court – question of policy re: Local Authority and adoption procedures – far reaching implications for all Local Authorities.
Vanessa Thomson v Hanson White Ltd: – Court of Appeal case, extension of time running for limitation periods in personal injury cases.
Christopher Fletcher
Christopher Fletcher is a highly respected family lawyer in East Anglia and a member of the matrimonial and finance team, practicing in care work for local authorities, parents and children in the Family Court. Appointed Head of Chambers at Octagon Legal (formerly Octagon House) in 2008, he is a firm believer in advocates providing an excellent standard of representation.
Christopher is regularly instructed in difficult and sensitive cases, including cases involving emotional harm, physical and sexual abuse of children.
‘His breadth of experience includes child arrangement orders, conducting complex children cases, same-sex relationship cases, domestic violence cases and cases in which children are being denied contact to parents, as well as cases with an overseas connection. He also advises and represents clients from all walks of life in their divorce and financial provision disputes.
Christopher has been commended in Chambers & Partners, Chambers UK, as a “Leading Junior” for the South Eastern Area. He conducts regular seminars on care work and judges moots at the University of East Anglia.
He is qualified to advise and represent clients through Direct/Public Access, and is able to communicate with clients remotely when necessary via email and Skype.
Outside Chambers, Christopher enjoys writing, painting, and playing cricket.
