CRIMINAL LAW We prosecute and defend at all levels across the whole spectrum of criminal law, including tribunals and disciplinary hearings. Chambers boasts a number of noted practitioners in the field of criminal law. Members of chambers regularly appear in high profile cases of murder, drug importation and fraud. Other specialist areas of practice include: Benefit Fraud, Commercial Fraud, Drug supply, Environmental and Local Authority Law,. Excise and Revenue, Health and Safety, Human Rights, Offences against the Person, Offences against Property, Public Order, Sexual Offences and Trading Standards. This is not an exhaustive list: no area of criminal law is outside our competence or experience. Our tradition of excellence in criminal work is founded upon adherence to the principle of fearlessly promoting the lay client’s interests, whatever the circumstances.
Compassion and approachability, combined with objectivity and common sense are the key attributes needed by a family practitioner. We offer a wide range of experienced practitioners in all areas including Care proceedings, Adoption, Residence and Contact, Human Rights, Specific Issues, Child abduction, Disputes across jurisdictions, Injunctive relief. The Family Team members frequently represent clients in serious cases such as non-accidental injuries, death/sudden infant death syndrome, sexual abuse, factitious illness and have expert knowledge in many areas including human rights cases involving children in the Local Authority care and paternity as a result of IVF. The Family Team is able to offer a complete service in every diverse and complex case and at every level of tribunal. Chavasse Court Chambers Family Team appear on behalf of private individuals, the Local Authority , The Guardian, NYAS and the Official Solicitor. The highest standards of advice, advocacy and representation are available with the Chavasse Court Chambers Family Team.
For some time, we have felt that there was a need for an enthusiastic team of barristers based in the North who could cover work at all levels in the Court of Protection. We take a long term view of development and see this work expanding. In December 2010 the High Court issued a Guidance Note which stated “The number of welfare cases brought under the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 is rising exponentially” We have started a training programme in chambers in response to comments from a number of solicitors who feel that there is not a sufficient pool of barristers from which they could choose. It is clear from individual profiles that experience varies, but we are motivated to develop an expertise which we can offer to potential clients, both public authorities and family members, across a very wide geographical area. The Article 8 rights of a vulnerable adult impose a positive obligation on public authorities to invoke the court’s protective jurisdiction in appropriate circumstances, but those public authorities are the servants, not the masters, of the citizen. Balancing protection and empowerment is far from easy and the scope for an increase in disputes is, in our view, clear. We are a long established set practising at all levels in the family and criminal courts, with members of chambers frequently appearing in complex cases that involve the representation of children and vulnerable adults, often with learning difficulties or mental impairment, and occasionally lacking capacity. We are uniquely placed to take on the challenge of a new jurisdiction which is founded on best interests. We are determined to create a team on which solicitors can rely for the foreseeable future and we believe we have already started that process. |
