Family law
Private law
Iain has a growing private law practice and has represented mothers, fathers and grandparents in cases for contact and residence. With his experience working within Local Authorities Iain can often suggest support and solutions to otherwise difficult cases. Iain often deals with complex private law cases, including multi-day fact finding hearings and cases with allegations of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Iain is able to undertake private law cases on a public/direct access basis and has a broad level of experience, including several appearances in the court of appeal.
Public law
Iain has worked for both Local Authorities and parents in care cases, including neglect, sexual abuse and non-accidental injury cases. He has dealt with emergency applications as well as cases before they are issued, for example at pre-proceedings meetings. Having gained a good deal of experience working for Local Authorities, Iain is familiar with the processes and procedures within Social Services and can often suggest new approaches to cases to suit his clients. Iain accepts instructions from parents, local authorities and children’s guardians.
He has a particular interest in cases with an international element; including advising on issues where people have no recourse to public funds. Iain has dealt with a number of care applications regarding foreign nationals residing in the UK. He has also advised on practical issues regarding the relationship between the family courts and immigration tribunals. Iain has dealt with secure accommodation cases, both as an advocate and as a member of secure accommodation review panels.
Notable cases include:
- KS v Neath Port Talbot Borough Council [2014] EWCA 941
- Re: T-S (Children) [2019] EWCA Civ 742
Family Finance including TOLATA and maintenance
Iain has a growing practice in financial matters, including advising and acting in cases with international elements. Iain is a thorough and diligent advocate who can analyse large swathes of documents including bank statements and apply legal principles. Iain is a fair and experienced negotiator, always working hard to achieve his clients’ aims.
Court of Protection
Iain has a long history of working with people with learning difficulties and mental health problems, including advising and acting for Local Authorities regarding appropriate adults and deprivation of liberty safeguards (DOLS).