Sexual Abuse

Harcourt barristers appear regularly in the most complex cases nationwide including those involving serious and sometimes organised sexual abuse of children.

Members of our Public Law Children Team have appeared in many of the most serious cases over the last thirty years, including the longest case of an alleged paedophile ring (with over 40 respondents) ever heard in this country. We are recognised nationally as leaders in this field.

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:

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  Nottingham City Council v AZ & Ors [2023] EWHC 3513 (Fam)

• Luton Borough Council v R & Ors [2024] EWFC 52
• A Council v Mother of CA & Ors [2023] EWFC 274
• Birmingham City Council v M & Ors [2023] EWHC 3312 (Fam)
• Re A (Sexual Abuse – Care and Placement Orders) [2023] EWFC 222
• Birmingham City Council v Mother v Ors [2023] EWHC 905
• Re J (Children: Reopening Findings of Fact) [2023] EWCA Civ 465
• Re T (Fact-Finding: Second Appeal) [2023] EWCA Civ 475
• Re Y & E (Children) [2019] EWCA Civ 206
• Re AA & 25 Ors (Children) (Rev 2) [2019] EWFC 64