Stephen Crispin

Stephen Crispin

Call: 2008

'Stephen is an outstanding advocate who combines exceptional legal intellect with calm, assured judgment. He grasps complex legal issues with ease, instilling immediate confidence that matters are being handled with skill and experience.'
Legal 500 UK Bar 2027

Stephen Crispin’s experience across both child and financial family law enables him to provide sound, practical advice to clients across the whole range of issues arising from a relationship breakdown.

He is known for the focussed, accessible and supportive guidance he offers clients, and clear, incisive advocacy in Court.

To instruct Stephen or for more information…

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

Practice Areas

Stephen’s expertise in applications for financial remedies includes cases involving complexities such as bankruptcy and third-party interests. He is known for working hard to achieve the best possible result for clients in negotiations, and in court through focused and determined advocacy where necessary.

Stephen has a particular interest in claims under the Trusts of Law and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA) and is able to give advice on the different evidential and procedural considerations that arise under these civil applications.

Stephen has a busy public law practice representing parents, guardians, and local authorities. He is experienced in cases involving serious allegations of physical and sexual abuse, and disputed medical evidence. He is frequently asked to represent vulnerable litigants, including children who are in conflict with the Guardian.

Notable Public Law Children & Care Proceedings cases


Ellana (A Child) (Fact-Finding: Head Injury), Re [2026] EWFC 272 (B)

Fact-finding in public law proceedings, concerning cause of injuries suffered by child.


Oxfordshire County Council v M & Ors [2026] EWFC 192 (B)

Care proceedings in relation to child born in May 2025, issued due to concerns including domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and neglect.


A Local Authority v A Mother & Ors [2026] EWFC 102 (B)

Fact-finding in public law proceedings concerning allegation by child that her older brother had sexually abused her.


L, M, N, O and P, Re (allegation of sexual abuse by a sibling) [2025] EWFC 382 (B)

Fact-finding in public law proceedings, concerning allegations of sexual abuse made by child against sibling.


Re D-S (A Child: Adoption or Fostering) [2024] EWCA Civ 948

Appeal by local authority against refusal to make order allowing an 11-month-old child to be placed for adoption.


Bracknell Forest Council v Mother & Ors [2024] EWFC 68

Stephen Crispin was instructed by the Joint Legal Team for the Applicant Council in this fact-finding in care proceedings concerning marks found on body of child.


Re YR (Deprivation of Liberty - Care Order - Principles of Care) [2024] EWHC 564 (Fam)

Case concerning 16 year old boy. Care and deprivation of liberty orders made.

Stephen acts in all forms of private law proceedings, including residence, contact, child abduction and removal from the jurisdiction cases. He has significant experience in complex and entrenched cases between parents and offers a robust yet practical approach to the resolution of family disputes.

Notable Private Law Children cases


Re JS (Disposal of Body) [2016] EWHC 2859 (Fam)

Stephen represented the mother in this case concerning a child’s wish to be cryogenically frozen after death. An order was made giving the mother sole responsibility for the preservation of the girl’s body and dealing with who was permitted to view it.

Stephen is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public under the Direct Access Scheme in appropriate circumstances.

 

What the directories say

'A strong, calm, unflappable advocate who cuts straight to the key issues.'
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026

Related News

When serious injuries are medically suggestive of abusive head trauma, how should the court approach alternative explanations where the medical evidence cannot exclude an unusual accidental injury or unidentified mechanism? – Stephen Crispin in Ellana (A Child) (Fact-Finding: Head Injury), Re [2026] EWFC 272 (B)

The Family Court has declined to find that a 15-month-old child’s serious intracranial and spinal injuries were inflicted, holding that, despite shaking being the medically favoured explanation, the evidence considered…

Harcourt Chambers celebrates success in the Legal 500 2027 rankings

Harcourt Chambers is delighted to announce its impressive achievements in the latest edition of the Legal 500. The 2027 rankings highlight Harcourt’s reputation as one of the leading family law…

Stephen Crispin in Oxfordshire County Council v M & Ors [2026] EWFC 192 (B)

Stephen Crispin acted for the Applicant Local Authority in Oxfordshire County Council v M & Ors [2026] EWFC 192 (B), a decision which demonstrates the careful application of the “nothing else…

Search

Shortlist Builder

Close

Select the practice areas that you would like to download or add to the shortlist

Download Add to shortlist
Shortlist close
Title Type CV Email

Remove All

Download