Ian has worked in family law for around 15 years, firstly as a solicitor for 10 years before transferring to the Bar.

During Ian’s time as a Solicitor, he practised as both a criminal solicitor and a family law solicitor and was a member of the Law Society Children Panel from 2013 until he transferred to the Bar.

During his time in practice, Ian has built vast experience in all aspects of children law and adopts a straight-talking, strategic yet compassionate and empathetic approach towards his work.

Alongside Ian’s practise as a barrister, he is undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice, akin to a PhD, in which he is researching Parental Alienation in the Family Justice System.

Having been immersed in the topic of Parental Alienation for a number of years, Ian is highly knowledgeable about the concept and how the Family Court should approach cases in which Parental Alienation is alleged.

Ian writes regularly on the topic and has given talks to a number of groups on the subject, including to professionals, charities and the public.

Sarah has been a family law specialist for more than 30 years and has practised as a barrister since 2004. She focuses on issues relating to children involved in relationship breakdowns.

Sarah initially qualified as a solicitor in London in 1992. After re-qualifying in Scotland, she spent three years working in Edinburgh. Sarah then moved to New York and was employed as a Family Law Attorney for a leading family law firm. During her seven years in the USA, Sarah dealt with many high-profile divorce and custody disputes. She appeared regularly in the New York State Supreme Court and the US District Federal Court in several notable and reported cases.

Sarah has built a wealth of experience. She adopts a fresh and pragmatic approach to representing parents and wider family members in complex disputes involving children.

In 2016, Sarah became one of the first Children’s Arbitrators under the Institute of Family Law Arbitrators Children’s Arbitration Scheme and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Sarah also sits as a part time Judge.

She is also trained and has practised as a Mediator and Collaborative Lawyer, both in the US and UK, and is a member of the Family Law Bar Association.

Sarah, like all of our barristers, is self-employed and works independently.

Elizabeth has practised in the field of family law for more than 17 years, as a solicitor and latterly as a barrister. She now specialises solely in advising and representing parents in disputes over the care of their children.

In these difficult situations Elizabeth finds practical and creative solutions, which work for the family and most importantly, the child. Her specialism includes applications to permanently remove a child from this country to live abroad.

Elizabeth gained her law degree at The University of Sheffield. She then went on to take her Bar exams at BPP School of Law in London. She completed her training and her first couple of years of practice at Guildhall Chambers in Bristol.

Prior to founding Children in the Middle, Elizabeth worked as a solicitor for Devereux and Co in Bristol where she established a busy and successful family law practice.

She is a member of the Family Law Bar Association. She believes in a constructive non-confrontational approach to dealing with family issues.

Customers of Children in the Middle praise Elizabeth for her thorough and committed work on their cases.

Elizabeth, like all of our barristers, is self-employed and works independently.