Lorna Meyer KC regularly appears in complex and sensitive cases involving children both in the Public Law and Private Law spheres at County Court and High Court level together with appeals. In addition she has a keen interest in international movement of children and child abduction cases.
Lorna represents parents, alleged perpetrators of injuries, children instructing their own solicitors, CAFCASS Guardians as well as Local Authorities and she has also acted as Advocate to the Court.
The areas of work covered include all aspects of physical, emotional and sexual abuse (including those which are the subject of medical dispute/controversy such as brain injury, sudden death in infancy, FII and cases involving the death of parents).
Similar skills are also engaged for work pursuant to the High Court’s Inherent Jurisdiction involving adult children under a disability and issues concerning the withdrawal of medical treatment from children.
Lorna is co-author of the book “Challenging and Defending Local Authority Child Care Decisions”, which was published in March 2013.
Lorna has forged a strong reputation in all areas of children work. Her regular appearances in the High Court and Court of Appeal are testament to the energy, detailed preparation and skill she brings to each case.
Her primary focus is on those cases where expert medical or scientific evidence requires scrutiny or challenge and those where interpretation or application of statutory provision, or case law, is the subject of uncertainty or dispute. She has a keen interest in cases with cross-border and international dimensions.
Lorna has the ability to ensure that each client, in the midst of complex, sensitive and emotionally charged situations, feels able to have their case understood whether they are social work professionals, teenage parents, adults facing allegations of abuse, children themselves or members of a family brought into being with the assistance of fertility treatment or surrogacy.
She has a lengthy history of working with those with reduced capacity and understanding. She has the ability to anticipate all sides of the argument, a benefit drawn from acting for Local Authorities, CAFCASS Guardians, parents, the child direct and as an advocate to the Court.
In Silk her advisory and advocacy work has also extended beyond the Family Court to include Inquests, Judicial Review and Human Rights claims connected with vulnerable and looked after children.
Her areas of expertise include cases involving:
Children or other vulnerable witnesses giving evidence, Inherent Jurisdiction and the extent of its powers, Physical abuse (brain injury, sudden death in infancy, starvation and FII), Death of children and of parents, Sexual abuse (Child Sexual Exploitation, paedophile rings and online protection issues), Scrutiny of local authority decision making processes, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act Issues (parenthood, surrogacy and same sex parenting), Child Abduction and International Movement of Children, Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Orders, International Adoptions, Disputes over jurisdiction of UK courts, Concurrent criminal proceedings (murder, allowing the death of a child, cruelty and terrorism) and associated issues of disclosure, Disputes over medical treatment and withdrawal of treatment, Vulnerable and mentally incapacitated adults, Privacy versus publication.
Lorna’s experience includes Children Act and Adoption Proceedings. She has a keen interest in cases with international dimensions with a particular emphasis on International Movement of Children.
Lorna has forged a strong reputation in all areas of children work. Her regular appearances at High Court and Court of Appeal level in private and public law spheres are testament to the energy, detailed preparation and skill she brings to both the advocacy and written elements of each case.
Lorna has the ability to ensure that clients who find themselves in the midst of complex, sensitive and emotionally charged situations feel able to have their cases understood whether they are social work professionals, teenage parents, alleged abusers or children themselves. She has a lengthy history of working with those with reduced capacity and understanding. She has acted for Local Authorities, Cafcass Guardians, parents, the child direct and as an advocate to the Court.
Please click here to read Lorna Meyer QC’s article entitled “When The Dream Turns Sour: The Lesser Known Face of Child Abduction” which discusses child abduction laws in an international context.
No5 Barristers’ Chambers is delighted to announce that the following well-established and highly regarded Family Practitioners have decided to join us and to help build…
No5 Barristers’ Chambers celebrates International Women’s Day by recognising our four female Silks and their achievements in law. Estella Hindley QC – First female Silk…
"Fearless, talented and hardworking in equal measures."
"A first-rate children law silk who is much in demand."
"Fearless, talented and hardworking in equal measures."
"She’s a highly experienced children law silk and is regularly instructed in the biggest children law cases in the Midlands."
"She has a forensic eye for detail and is always one step ahead."
"She has a long-established reputation for handling the biggest and most complex of care cases. Undoubtedly one of the market leaders in children work."
"Exceptional silk dealing with a range of children law matters, from international adoption to complex physical and sexual abuse cases. She is noted for her expert representation of children, parents and local authorities." Strengths: "A leader in the field. One of the standout practitioners and a leader at the Bar."
"A highly regarded silk with a meticulous approach."
"Lorna is a reassuring presence in any case, has a good command of her material and a composed style that judges like. A very clever, hugely conscientious lawyer who has a good rapport with both clients and judges."
"A silk of the highest calibre, her knowledge is second to none and she builds a very good rapport with clients."
Re W (A Child) [2013] EWCA Civ 1227
RE E (A Child) [2012] EWCA Civ 1773 [2013] Fam Law 399
Re X and Y (Children) [2012] EWCA Civ 1500 [2013] 1FCR1
Re CA (A Baby) [2012] EWHC 2190 (fam)
Re D (A Child) [2011] EWCA Civ 684, [2011] 4 All ER 434, [2011] 2FLR 1183
Re S (a child) [2010] EWCA Civ 219
In the Matter of S (A child) [2010] EWCA Civ 325
WCC, TE, SH, S [2010] EWHC B19 (Fam)
Re X, Y and Z (children) [2010] EWHC B12 (Fam)
LAB v KB (ABDUCTION: BRUSSELS II REVISED) [2009] EWHC 2243 (FAM), [2010] 2 FLR 1664
Re MA(Care Threshold) [2009] EWCA Civ 853; [2010] 1FLR 431
BCC –v- AG and Others [2009] EWHC 3720 (fam); [2010] 2FLR 580
Re T (Children: Placement Order) [2008] EWCA 248; [2008] 1FLR 1721
Re AJ (Adoption order or special guardianship order) [2007] EWCA Civ55; [2007]1FLR 507
Re T and J (abduction recognition of foreign judgment) [2006] EWHC 1472 (fam); [2006] 2FLR 1290
Re G (children) [2006] UKHL 43; [2006] 2FLR 629
Re G (Residence: Same sex Partner) [2005] EWCA Civ 462; [2005] 2FLR 957
A County Council –v- A Mother, A Father and XY and Z [2005] EWHC 31 (fam) [2005] 2FLR 129
No5 Barristers’ Chambers is delighted to announce that the following well-established and highly regarded Family Practitioners have decided to join us and to help build…
No5 Barristers’ Chambers celebrates International Women’s Day by recognising our four female Silks and their achievements in law. Estella Hindley QC – First female Silk…
