Family
Stephen’s practice encompasses all areas of family law at all levels up to and including the Court of Appeal.
Stephen combines robust advocacy with clear, practical and sensitive advice in what he recognises are difficult and emotional situations. Stephen quickly gains the trust of his clients. He is praised for his calm, reassuring and empathetic approach which his clients find invaluable. His meticulous preparation and eye for detail enable him to get to the heart of the issues quickly and present his clients’ strongest case.
Stephen is widely recognised by professional clients for his timely and effective communication throughout a case, including before and after hearings. He is happy to discuss matters with professional clients formally or informally.
Stephen frequently provides formal and informal training sessions to firms of Solicitors upon request via his clerks. He is happy to tailor training sessions to the particular requirements of each firm.
Public Law
Stephen represents local authorities, parents, guardians, interveners and the Official Solicitor within public law proceedings. He represents clients alone and is often led by King’s Counsel. His cases involve the most serious allegations of non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, substance misuse and neglect.
Private Law
Stephen’s private law practice includes applications for child arrangements orders, specific issue orders, international and internal relocation, occupation orders and non-molestation orders. He is experienced in representing guardians within private law proceedings and dealing with applications for committal to prison.
Schedule 1 Proceedings
Stephen has experience of Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 proceedings, notably representing a premier league footballer.
Financial Remedy
Stephen enjoys dealing with financial remedy proceedings. He represents clients living within the jurisdiction and clients living overseas. He is experienced in the division of pensions, companies and property portfolios. He often deals with cases valued in excess of £1 million.
Public Access
Stephen is qualified to accept instructions in any of the above areas of practice directly from members of the public under the Public Access scheme, through which members of the public can, in suitable cases, instruct Stephen directly without going through a Solicitor. Clients who wish to instruct Stephen should contact his clerks for further information.
Reported Cases
Re P (A Child) (Interim Separation) [2021] EWCA Civ 499
Stephen represented the father in an appeal to the Court of Appeal heard by Jackson LJ and Edis LJ. The appeal was allowed.
Local Authority v S [2023] EWFC 85
Stephen, as a led junior, represented the child at a final hearing which lasted for 15 days within public law proceedings before HHJ Pates, sitting as a Judge of the High Court. HHJ Pates found that the mother had tried to undermine the relationship between the father and the child. She had actively promoted a false narrative of abuse and misrepresented events which influenced the child to make allegations of sexual abuse against the father.
Re E [2024] (Unreported)
Stephen represented a father who faced allegations of sexual abuse toward a child. After hearing evidence over the course of 6 days, during which many of the child’s school teachers were cross-examined by Stephen, the Court made no findings against Stephen’s client and dismissed the local authority’s application.
Re L [2024] (Unreported)
Stephen represented the child at an 8 day composite final hearing within public law proceedings. The child when 12 weeks old had sustained 18 rib fractures. After hearing evidence, the Court made a series of findings against both parents.
Local Authority v Mother & Ors [2025] EWFC 293 (B)
Stephen represented the child in a case in which the local authority sought to limit disclosure of a psychological report upon the child from his parents.
Re L [2025] (Unreported)
Stephen represented the father in an application for international relocation brought by the mother. The Judge, having heard evidence from both parents, concluded that the child should live with the father in the UK and move to a school near the father’s home.
