Human Rights Working Group
At 1 Garden Court we believe that a full awareness of the enormous jurisprudential implications of the Human Rights Act 1998 on family law is essential. We have welcomed the philosophy underpinning the Act. Having followed the various legal, social and political debates leading up to the Act, we continue developing strategies relating to its impact on family law and associated fields. Our team of members has been assisted by our academic associates, Professor Michael Freeman of University College, London University, Dr Jonathan Black-Branch of Wolfson College, Oxford University and by other academics.
Key areas of concern are likely to be:
- Local authority decision-making and accountability
- Family privacy and autonomy
- The right to life, surrogacy, sterilisations, consent to medical treatment
- Parental and family contact with children
- Homosexuality and transexuality
- Information, accessibility, disclosure and publication
- The right to full, fair and speedy hearing
Mental Health
Family Law cases sometimes involve clients with significant mental health difficulties. It can be particularly helpful for counsel to have an understanding of this specialist area. We have members of Chambers with additional expertise in mental health law. Alongside their family law practices, some members act as Presidents of Mental Health Review Tribunals. One member of Chambers is a Mental Health Act Commissioner and Chair of Independent Inquiries after Homicide. Chambers provides legal advice on mental health matters to public authorities and individuals.
Contact Gillian Downham for further information and advice