About
Hannah specialises in children law and financial remedies. Described by solicitors as “warm, approachable and thorough” and having “excellent communication skills”, Hannah is known for her pragmatic and focused approach.
Hannah has particular expertise in international relocation cases and intractable contact disputes, including where a Guardian has been appointed. She regularly represents parents where there are allegations of serious domestic abuse, international abduction or forced marriage.
Hannah undertakes a wide variety of financial remedies work including where there are issues of jurisdiction and pension provision. She has also acted in financial remedy appeals, enforcement proceedings and applications under Schedule 1 Children Act 1989.
Hannah regularly handles complex care proceedings including where there is an international element or allegations of serious harm and abuse. She has significant experience in working with clients with learning disabilities.
Experience
Hannah has appeared in three significant cases before the Court of Appeal. In 2018, Hannah was a shortlisted for Family Law Young Barrister of the Year.
Hannah has also worked in the area of historic institutional child abuse having formed part of a high profile legal team for a survivors group, providing representation around the formation of a redress scheme.
Hannah is committed to promoting access to justice for all. She regularly undertakes pro bono work and as Co-Chair of the Society of Labour Lawyers Family Group, Hannah has given evidence to the Bach Commission on access to justice, specifically about the impact of legal aid cuts on the family courts. She has provided commentary on the draft domestic abuse bill and proposals for policy reform.
She is the safeguarding governor of a local primary school.
Practice Areas
Private Law Children
Finance and Private Client
Human Rights
International Family Law
Publications
‘Show some restraint’
An analysis of principles behind the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA 2005) in relation to the recent headlines regarding forced sterilisation. Published in the July issue of PS Magazine.
‘Section 20: Abused, or just not used?’ Published August 17 2015 in Family Law Online.
‘Exceptional circumstances legal aid: the ‘fig leaf’ of a ‘system which is neither compassionate nor even humane’
Deprivation of liberty in the home: the end of the ‘fairytale’?
Powers of restraint: the path of least intervention?
Recent Court of Protection case law on ‘the least restrictive option’.
Cases
Re Z (A Child) (Order for no contact) [2023] EWFC 61
Re D &E and F & A Local Authority [2022] EWHC 3450 (Fam)
Re R (Children) (Control of Court Documents) [2021] EWCA Civ 162
Re G (Children: Intractable Dispute) [2019] EWCA Civ 548
Re P-S (Children) [2018] EWCA Civ 140
Education and Professional Memberships
University of Oxford, St Hilda’s College: BA (Hons) Music
City Law School: Post-Graduate Diploma in Law
City Law School: Bar Practice Training Course
Family Law Bar Association
Middle Temple
Bar Pro Bono Unit Panel Member
Society of Labour Lawyers
Awards
Astbury Scholarship, Middle Temple, 2012
Harmsworth Exhibition, Middle Temple, 2011
St. Hilda’s College, Oxford, Music Scholarship, 2010