Physical Abuse

Members of our Public Law Children Team are routinely involved in cases of alleged homicide of infants and children and the infliction of life-changing injuries. We are recognised nationally as leaders in these fields.

Members of Harcourt have appeared in many of the most serious cases over the last thirty years, including the Fred and Rose West murders and the murder of Daniel Pelka. Cases of this nature require skilled deployment or cross-examination of a wide range of expert evidence, an understanding of the interaction of criminal and children’s law, and frequently involve other associated issues, such as Reporting Restriction Orders and media interest.

Members of chambers have been involved in trials lasting for six months or more. We appreciate the importance of teamwork in these heavy and high-profile cases, and we have been instructed as teams to conduct such litigation.

Featured cases:

• Bracknell Forest Council v Mother & Ors [2024] EWFC 68
• Re Z (Infant Fatality) [2024] EWHC 618 (Fam)
• Re CM (A Child) [2023] EWFC 263
• Slough Children First v Mother & Ors [2024] EWFC 31
• X (A child), Re [2023] EWFC 264 (B)
• Re AA (Re Children Act 1989) [2023] EWFC 278
• Birmingham City Council v CD & Ors [2023] EWHC 748 (Fam)
• A (Children) (Pool of Perpetrators), Re [2022] EWCA Civ 1348
• Re D (Fact-finding appeal) [2019] EWCA Civ 2302
• Re A (No. 2) (Children: Findings of Fact) [2019] EWCA Civ 1947
• Re CD (A Child: Re-hearing of Fact-Finding) [2018] EWHC 2670 (Fam)
• Re LA v X & Ors [2018] EWHC 1116 (Fam)
• Re K & C (Children: Finding of Fact) [2018] EWFC B85
• Re D (A Child) [2017] EWHC 3075 (Fam)
• Re D (A Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 196