Children – Public Law
Faye has a busy and well-developed children law practice, in both public and private law. She is frequently instructed on multi-day final hearings, fact-finding hearings, as well as case management and direction hearings. Faye has exceptional interpersonal skills and experience representing parents with severe mental health, drug and alcohol difficulties, matters where domestic violence is featured and parents with cognitive functioning difficulties.
Faye also regularly represents local authorities in public law proceedings, from initial removal hearings through to final hearings. Recently, Faye has undertaken work in the High Court on complex deprivation of liberty safeguards for local authorities, fact-finds involving fabricated illness and matters involving allegations of serious abuse of a child, requiring extensive cross examination of medical experts. Faye has recently been described by those instructing her as the ‘voice of reason, committed and simply excellent.’
Faye continues to develop this area of her practice and accepts instructions representing all parties in public law proceedings, across all types of hearings.
Children – Private Law
Faye accepts instructions across all areas of private law proceedings and has a busy practice representing parents in all types of hearings, including those with serious allegations of domestic violence, including sexual abuse and rape.
Throughout her practice, Faye has experience defending and proving allegations of rape and/or sexual abuse, parental alienation and domestic violence.
Faye is currently involved in a 10-day final hearing, which requires the evidence of expert psychologists, in a parental alienation matter acting for the children’s father.
Faye understands the importance of developing a positive rapport with clients and prides herself on her sympathetic, considerate and calm approach.
Notable Cases
High Court
DCC v M v F v A and B [2023] EWHC 2552 (Fam) - Sitting in the High Court, Junior counsel acting on behalf of the Applicant local authority on a Finding of Fact hearing of a near fatal stab injury to a child, at which significant findings were made against both parents.
Court of Appeal
Y and E (1996 Hague Convention: Article 11) [2023] EWCA Civ 817 - Junior counsel acting on behalf of the Applicant local authority following success in the Court of Appeal. The Appeal Court determined the need for finding of fact hearings as a proper basis for risk assessments. Further, the interplay of Articles 9, 11 and 12 of the Hague Convention for children not habitually resident in the United Kingdom but where significant risks to their safety arise within our jurisdiction.
Court of Appeal
E (A Child) (Care and Placement Orders) [2023] EWCA Civ 721 - original trial counsel for the first respondent mother, Miss Edwards secured permission to appeal on all grounds relating to a final placement order of a baby, which on Appeal, was successful and remitted to the Family Court for further consideration and assessment.
R v DB
Faye represented a father, in lengthy complex private law proceedings over a 2 year period. At the start of proceedings, the father was having no contact with his young child and the matter proceeded through to a 5 day-fact-find on allegations of physical assault, control and two allegations of rape. Faye was successful in defending the allegations such that they were unproven. The matter further proceeded to a psychological assessment and following expert cross-examination and a 4 day final hearing, Faye secured a ‘live with’ order in favour of the father, at the conclusion of proceedings.
R v Y
Faye represented the local authority in an application before the Royal Courts of Justice on a complex deprivation of liberty matter in relation to a child at risk of continued radicalisation.
R v M
Faye represented a mother in public law proceedings, at the initial contested removal hearing. Following rigorous challenge to the local authority, child’s Guardian and a thorough analysis of the case law, Faye was able to persuade the Court that the test for immediate separation of the mother and her new-born baby was not met.
Awards
Middle Temple Pupillage Award (2018)
Lord Rothermere Harmsworth Award (2016), Middle Temple
Jeremy McMullen Scholarship (2016), Middle Temple
Memberships
Middle Temple
The Midland Circuit
Qualifications
BPTC, BPP University – very competent
LLB Law, University of Liverpool – 2:1
