Public Children Law

Chairperson

HH Stephen Wildblood KC

Stephen Wildblood KC, Editor-in-Chief of Family Law Week, was the Designated Family Judge for the Bristol area for ten years before stepping down in November 2023. He practiced at the Family bar for 27 years, the last 8 ½ in silk. Stephen has extensive experience in all areas of family law, with particular expertise in public law children cases, including care proceedings and local authority matters.  He has written in over 20 legal textbooks on issues of family law and often lectures on the full range of family issues. He continues to sit, part-time, in the Family and High Courts.

Conference Host

Keeley Lenthorn

Keeley Lengthorn, is the Head of Public Law Children London at RWK Goodman Solicitors. Keeley specialises in all aspects of children law. Keeley is a co-opted member of the DOLS committee for the Association of lawyers for children (The ALC), parliamentary liaison representative for Kent Law Society and Council childcare representative for the Law Society. She is also considered as one of the leading baby loss campaigners in the UK, is an ambassador for Abigail’s Footsteps and is the founder of George’s Law.

The Honourable Ms Justice Harris

The Honourable Ms Justice Harris was called to the Bar (Lincoln’s Inn) in 1998. She was appointed as a Deputy District Judge in 2010, a District Judge in 2014 and a Circuit Judge in 2018. In 2024, she was appointed as a Senior Circuit Judge.  She was appointed as a High Court Judge of the Family Division in 2024.

Dr Freda V Gardner

Dr Freda Gardner is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist who has worked therapeutically with children, adults, and families for over 30 years. Dr Gardner works with complex presentations including developmental trauma, attachment difficulties, and other mental health and psychological difficulties. Dr Gardner has clinical experience and theoretical knowledge in a range of psychological models and interventions.

Dr Gardner also provides assessments for the family courts in respect of mental health and psychological state, risk assessment, cognitive functioning and assessment of capacity.

Jonathan Sampson KC

Jonathan Sampson KC, a barrister at Harcourt Chambers, is widely recognised as one of the leading advocates at the Family Law Bar. With over twenty years of experience in children and financial work he is known for his intellectual rigour, clarity of his advocacy and approachable manner. Jonathan specialises in cases involving serious injuries, child death and litigation involving abuse overlapping with criminal investigations and proceedings and he has been consistently ranked for many years in both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK.

Naomi Wiseman

Naomi Wiseman is a specialist family barrister at One King’s Bench Walk with a diverse portfolio of public, private and international children law cases.  Naomi represents parents, children (through their Children’s Guardians) and local authorities in public law proceedings.

Naomi is regularly instructed in complex care and adoption proceedings, representing parents, children (through their Children’s Guardians) and local authorities. She has experience of cases where there are allegations of severe neglect, domestic violence, non-accidental physical injury and sexual harm.

Malvika Jaganmohan

Malvika Jaganmohan, a barrister at St Ives Chambers, is a family law practitioner, with a particular specialism in public and private children law. She was named a Tier One ‘Rising Star’ by the Legal 500 in 2023 and 2024.

Malvika represents local authorities, parents, relatives and children. She has dealt with cases up to and including the High Court. She is regularly instructed in lengthy proceedings concerning complex issues, including non-accidental injuries suffered by children.

Alongside her practice, Malvika is very active in the wider legal community. She is a founding member of Women in Family Law. She is chambers’ representative within the West Midlands Family Law Bar Association.

Baldip Singh

Baldip Singh is a specialist family law barrister at No5 Chambers with a broad practice across public and private law children cases. He acts for parents, children (through their Children’s Guardians), and local authorities in care proceedings, and is frequently instructed in complex non-accidental injury cases, matters involving allegations of sexual abuse, and cases with international elements. Baldip is widely recognised for his clear, empathetic advocacy and his ability to manage sensitive and challenging cases with fairness, precision, and authority.

James Nottage

James Nottage, a barrister at 4PB accepts instructions from local authorities, parents and guardians in public law proceedings, acting with the benefit of his previous experience as a child protection social worker. He has appeared in cases concerning allegations of non-accidental injury, allegations of sexual abuse and complex international issues. In one recent case, he appeared as sole counsel for a local authority against a silk and junior in a day-long disclosure hearing involving four other public authorities.

Emma Smale

Emma Smale, Head of Practice and Policy at Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, works to ensure their programmes and projects create impact for children and families.