Karen Kabweru-Namulemu

Practice Overview

Karen specialises in family law, with over 18 years’ experience in this area.  She advises and represents children, children’s guardians, the Official Solicitor, parents, relatives, prospective adopters and Local Authorities. 

Karen has considerable experience in all areas of children law with a particular emphasis on complex private law matters and child protection cases.  She appears in public law cases involving non-accidental injury, fabricated induced illness, child deaths and sexual abuse.  In the private law arena she represents parents and children in the most serious cases, involving domestic abuse, allegations of emotional harm and issues relating to parental mental health.

Karen’s approach to her clients is noted as being highly personable, warm, open minded and thorough, be they lay or professional clients. She is known for her sympathetic, clear and honest advice and has a reputation for fighting her client’s interests.

• Children (Public Law)

  Karen has many years of experience representing Local Authorities, parents, children and relatives in care and adoption proceeding appearing in multi-week trials and matters of complexity.

  Karen appears in cases involving serious violence against children; non-accidental injuries including child deaths and shaken babies, factitious illness and sexual abuse as well as those involving significant emotional harm to children. 

• Children (Private Law)

  Karen frequently appears in private law disputes relating to children, representing mothers, fathers, children and relatives.  She appears in complex cases, involving serious allegations of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, physical assault and coercive and controlling behaviour.   She represents clients in intractable contact disputes involving allegations of parental alienation, cases involving parents with serious psychiatric and psychological conditions and other complex matters requiring a Rule 16.4 Guardians, including cases with an international element.

• International Family Law

  Karen has experience of dealing with international aspects of Children Law.  She appears in cases involving applications for permission to remove a child from the jurisdiction.  She has experience of adoptions with an international elements, cases international assessments and the transfer of proceedings to EU countries.

• Notable Cases

  Re M (Applications by Email) [2021] EWCA Civ 806

  O, (A Child), Re (application for a final care order-return to Nigeria) No 2 [2017]

  BC v EF (No.2) (Parental Responsibility: Immunisation) [2017]

  Re BC and EF, In the matter of M and N [2016]

  O, (A Child), Re (application for a final care order- child having family in Nigeria-whether there should be further assessment) No 1 [2016]

  Re H (Care Order: Designated Local Authority) [2016] EWFC 39

  Leicester City Council v S [2014] EWHC 1575 (Fam)

  In the Matter of A (Children) [2011] EWCA Civ 472.

• What the directories say

  "Karen is always very up-to-date, very practical, and goes above and beyond on preparation." Band 3 - Chambers and Partners, 2023

  "Karen is a skilled advocate. She is eloquent and powerful in court provides honest advice to clients who respect her for that." Band 3 - Chambers and Partners, 2023

  "Karen is an excellent advocate in and out of the courtroom. She is not afraid to speak clearly and advise the client of any potential issues or points the other parties will raise. She is excellent in drafting, gives full attention to details, and is respectful but firm when addressing the court. She is a true professional with a warmth and confidence in her inter-personal interactions." Tier 3 - Legal 500, 2023