John Church’s practice encompasses the whole range of children and family law.

John is a qualified Public Access barrister.

If you would like more information about John’s practice, please contact his clerks or call +44 (0)20 7405 6114.

Children & family: notable cases

John’s family law practice covers both private and public law

Notable cases:

  • A (A Child): Contested Adoption and Local Authority Conduct, Re [2024] EWFC 192 (B) – John represented the children’s guardian
  • N-S (Children), Re [2017] EWCA Civ 1121 (25 July 2017) – John, led by Mark Twomey QC, acted for the local authority: extent of judge’s responsibility to provide reasons in support of care and placement orders and what steps, if any, the appellate court should take if there can be no appeal against the substantive orders made.
  • Re B (Placement Order) [2014] EWFC B180 (07 November 2014) – acting for the local authority in application for care and placement orders concerning a 7-month old
  • Re DN (A Child) [2013] EWHC 2401 (Fam)–  John acted for the local authority in its application for a declaration and a care order concerning a young child
  • DN GN GRN CMN (Children), Re (No. 1) [2012] EWHC 4278 (Fam) – John, led by Alex Verdan QC represented the local authority in its application for care orders: whether the court had jurisdiction concerning the care proceedings relating to the 3 younger children
  • LA v MF [2013] EWHC 1433 (Fam) – acting for the local authority that sought care orders for 4 children, together with placement orders: issues of habitual residence
  • H v L and another [2006] EWHC 3099 (Fam). Orders in family proceedings – Parental responsibility order and contact order. Fact-finding hearing to determine truthfulness of allegations that father had sexually abused child’s half-sister. Father acting in person due to inability to fund continuing litigation. Pre-hearing review for the purpose of considering by whom half-sister should be cross-examined. Whether Attorney-General willing to appoint an advocate to court. John acted for the second respondent.
  • CDM v CM & Ors [2003] EWHC 1024 (Fam) – acting for the 2 children through their guardian: intractable contact dispute
  • Re M (Intractable Contact Dispute: Interim Care Order) [2003] 2 FLR 636. Contact – Intractable dispute. Children suffering significant harm. Whether to order s 37 report. Whether care proceedings should be issued. Whether change of residence. John acted for the second and third respondents.

Client testimonials

“Effective”- Ex family court judge, September 2024

“Kind’’ from opposing counsel, September 2024

 

Professional memberships

  • FLBA
  • ALC (Association of Lawyers for Children)

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