Family law
Patrick accepts instructions in both public and private children law cases. He has represented parents, guardians, interveners and local authorities up to and including at final hearings. He has experience in cases of the utmost gravity including parental alienation, removal from the jurisdiction, inflicted injuries, sexual abuse and phantom pregnancy.
Civil law
Regulatory
Patrick has appeared in a number of regulatory tribunals including the NMC and HCPC.
Within the teaching sector he has appeared before the Professional Conduct Panel of the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) as well as the Fitness to Practice Committee of the Education Workforce Council.
In 2017 Patrick represented a high-profile ‘super-head’ of a federation of schools in a 10 day case involving allegations of inadequate provision for SEN pupils, health and safety breaches, bullying and exam malpractice.
More recently, Patrick’s practice has focused on presenting cases for the Education Workforce Council (EWC). These cases have involved, amongst other things, allegations of dishonesty, assault, fraud and sexual misconduct.
Patrick has also sat as an independent legal adviser to school admission appeal panels.
General Civil
Patrick has appeared for claimants and defendants in all types of hearings across all tracks, including multi-day multi-track trials. He has experience in personal injury, contract disputes, property repossession and general tortious liability. Patrick will only accept work on a conditional fee basis following a review of the papers.