Hannah Mettam

Hannah Mettam

Call: 2006

‘Hannah is a fantastically skilled and knowledgeable advocate. Her advocacy is first class and she puts forward arguments clearly, effectively and politely. Hannah is always polite, courteous, available to have conferences, proactive, and efficient.'
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2025

Hannah Mettam has been consistently ranked in the Legal 500 as a Tier 1 Leading Junior in Children Act cases for several years.

In February 2023, Hannah was appointed as assistant Coroner for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to support the Senior and Area Coroners across the full range of Coroner’s duties for the county, including presiding over inquests.

Hannah has significant experience and expertise in Public Law Children matters, and some private law children in cases where serious allegations are made. A specialist in complex proceedings, Hannah regularly appears in cases involving the most serious of allegations and has a wealth of experience both in being led by King’s Counsel and in leading other junior members of Chambers. Hannah regularly appears in High Court proceedings.

Hannah acts on behalf of Local Authorities, parents, children and interveners in a wide range of cases including:

  • Cases involving child death
  • Serious non-accidental injury
  • Fabricated and induced illness
  • Admission of children to hospital for treatment
  • Sexual abuse
  • Complex medical evidence.

Hannah is routinely requested in cases where a detailed and forensic approach is required, her advocacy style is described as formidable and she is an extremely popular choice for lay and professional clients alike, particularly where cases require expert cross-examination. Hannah is regularly instructed in cases involving very complex medical evidence, she has a sound grasp of medical conditions and processes and understands how to forensically explore and challenge medical evidence in a way that penetrates the real issues at the heart of a case, whilst also ensuring that this sometimes impenetrable medical terminology is entirely understandable for the benefit of lay and professional clients alike.

To instruct Hannah or for more information…

Call: 020 7353 6961
Email: clerks@harcourtchambers.co.uk

Practice Areas

Hannah has significant experience and expertise in Public Law Children matters.  A specialist in complex proceedings, Hannah regularly appears in cases involving the most serious of allegations and has a wealth of experience both in being led by King’s Counsel and in leading other junior members of Chambers. Hannah regularly appears in High Court proceedings.

Notable Public Law Children cases


Re CM (A Child) [2023] EWFC 263

Fact-finding in care proceedings regarding the cause of multiple fractures to an infant.


X (A child), Re [2023] EWFC 264 (B)

Application by local authority for permission to withdraw care proceedings, following receipt of medical evidence indicating that the parents were not to blame for the child’s injuries.


Re AA (Re Children Act 1989) [2023] EWFC 278

Fact-finding hearing in care proceedings concerning a one year old child who had two broken ribs and a history of unexplained marks.


Central Bedfordshire Council v F & Ors [2022] EWFC 130
Y (Leave to oppose adoption) [2020] EWCA Civ 1287
Z (A Child), Re [2020] EWFC B13
Northamptonshire County Council v AB & Anor [2019] EWHC 1807 (Fam)
O (A Child): Interim Care Order [2019] EWCA Civ 583
H-L (Children: Summary Dismissal of Care Proceedings) [2019] EWCA Civ 704
P (A Child), Re [2018] EWCA Civ 720
ES (A Child), Re [2017] EWFC B96
ED, Re [2015] EWFC B84
X County Council v AB & CD [2015] EWFC 98
NCC v L & Anor [2014] EWHC 4828 (Fam)
Cooke, R (on the application of) v Director of Public Prosecutions [2008] EWHC 2703 (Admin)

Hannah has experience and expertise in Private Law Children matters, often in cases where serious allegations are made.

 

What the directories say

"Hannah Mettam is an exceptional advocate who is one of the best around in complex cases."
Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2024

"Hannah is a very strong persuasive advocate who is always extremely well prepared. She has a particular strength in cross-examination." "She is a tenacious advocate who is very experienced, very well prepared and detailed."
Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2024

‘Hannah is an excellent advocate, and her preparation of cases is of high quality. She can respond to difficult and unexpected questions during a hearing and think on her feet. She is willing to go beyond her normal duties, assisting with enquiries and drafting applications.’
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2024

'Hannah is one of the best junior barristers in children's law work. She is well known for having the expertise and experience to manage the most serious cases including those involving physical, sexual, and emotional harm and cases concerning the fatality of a child. She is the go-to barrister who works extremely hard and is a formidable advocate.'
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2023

'A respected barrister with a particular focus on public law proceedings. She is noted for her expert representation of parents but also acts for local authorities and children. She has experience in the Court of appeal.' 'She has the ability to take on any issue even at the last minute. She works tirelessly on cases that she is instructed on, bringing a great deal of experience. She is a persuasive Court advocate.' 'A magnet for complex family work in her area.'
Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2022

Related News

Jonathan Sampson KC led Hannah Mettam in Re AA (Re Children Act 1989) [2023] EWFC 278 

Instructed by Wilson Browne Solicitors, Jonathan Sampson KC led Hannah Mettam.  They represented the Mother in Re AA (Re Children Act 1989) [2023] EWFC 278; a fact finding hearing in care proceedings concerning…

John Vater KC and Hannah Mettam in Re CM (A Child) [2023] EWFC 263

John Vater KC, leading Charlene Henderson of 7 Bedford Row, was instructed by Kundert Solicitors to represent the Second Respondent Father and Hannah Mettam, leading Andrew Duncan of 3 Paper Buildings, was…

John Vater KC, Aidan Vine KC and Hannah Mettam in X (A child), Re [2023] EWFC 264 (B)

John Vater KC led Hannah Mettam, instructed by Jackson West, represented the Second Respondent and Aidan Vine KC led Chris Watson of St Philips Chambers, instructed by Penmans, represented the…

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