News
SMENews Award Win: Most Dedicated Family Law Chambers & Barrister of the Year
14th May 2025
Leading B2B business publication SME News Magazine has announced the winners of this year’s UK Legal Awards.
🏆 We’re proud to share that our Chambers has been named:
🔹 Most Dedicated Family Law Chambers 2025
🔹 Family Law Barrister of the Year (London) – Yaa Dankwa Ampadu-Sackey
Tamara McCarthy and Alice Needell begin their Second Six
07th Apr 2025
Tamara McCarthy and Alice Needell begin their Second Six of pupillage at Four Brick Court Chambers today!
Both are now available to accept instructions and bring with them strong experience and dedication to family law practice.
We wish them every success as they take this exciting next step in their careers.
Read moreSimon Miller Tribute
28th Mar 2025
We have been very saddened to learn of the untimely death of our friend and colleague, Simon Miller, from Harcourt – Family Law. A firm but fair opponent, dedicated, kind, generous with his support to colleagues and causes close to his heart, and with a fine sense of humour, we have held Simon in the highest esteem.
We send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and to our colleagues at Harcourt Chambers. Simon will be greatly missed.
The Advocacy Podcast Live
24th Mar 2025
On Monday night, we had a captivated audience for the live recording of The Advocacy Podcast. Bibi Badejo, Joint Deputy Head of Chambers, hosted a fantastic conversation with Her Excellency Joanna Korner, CMG KC. Thank you to Sarah Clarke KC for expertly moderating the event.
We are incredibly proud of Bibi Badejo for her advocacy work and for leading such an insightful discussion.
Read more📢 Case Update: Justin Tadros instructed by Jasmine Hollis from Beck Fitzgerald
11th Mar 2025
International Womens Day 2025
10th Mar 2025
This International Women’s Day 2025, we celebrate the incredible women at Four Brick Court Chambers and beyond who drive change in the legal profession and advocate for justice.
This year’s theme, Accelerating Action, reminds us that progress toward gender equality requires conversation and meaningful steps forward.
IWD2025 AcceleratingAction WomenInLaw
Read moreYaa Dankwa – The Law Society of Kenya
06th Mar 2025
🌍🎤 We are thrilled to share that the Law Society of Kenya has invited barrister Yaa Dankwa Ampadu-Sackey to present at their upcoming webinar on Legal Practice:
Facing the Opportunities and Challenges in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.
📅 Date: 7th March 2025
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EAT
📍 Platform: Zoom
Ramadan Mubarak 2025
04th Mar 2025
Wishing all our clients and colleagues a peaceful and blessed Ramadan. May this month bring you joy, reflection, and spiritual growth.
Ramadan Mubarak from all of us at Four Brick Court Chambers! 🌙✨
RamadanMubarak Ramadan2025 FourBrickCourt
Read more📢 Case Update: Nathan Baylis, instructed by Irena Osborne of Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP
03rd Mar 2025
We are pleased to share that Nathan Baylis, instructed by Irena Osborne of Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP, represented the applicant father in the recent case of F v M [2025] EWFC 38 (B).
HHJ Owens described the proceedings as:
“… a very unusual case because, despite a profound lack of engagement in both the proceedings and in much of the professional involvement with this family by M, it has reached an outcome that is one the children want, and which enables them to continue to spend time with M when appropriate for them. It is greatly to the credit of all concerned, and that includes both M and F, that this is the outcome, and I hope that the ending of proceedings will enable A and B to move on and continue to thrive in the care of F.”
Read more📢 Landmark Family Law Case: Re XY Twins – Transparency & Safeguarding in the Spotlight
25th Feb 2025
📢 Chambers Announcement – George Patterson Joins as a Tenant 🎉
18th Feb 2025
We are delighted to announce that George Paterson has been offered and has accepted our offer of tenancy following the successful completion of his Third Six Pupillage.
George Paterson has consistently demonstrated exceptional advocacy, dedication, and expertise in family law, making him a valued member of our team. We look forward to his continued success and contribution to Chambers.
#FourBrickCourt #FamilyLaw #Tenancy
Read moreNathan Baylis – 2025 Bar Pro Bono Awards
14th Feb 2025
🌟 Exciting News! 🌟
We are thrilled to share that barrister Nathan Baylis has been nominated for ‘Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year’ at the 2025 Bar Pro Bono Awards! 🎉
This well-deserved recognition highlights Nathan’s dedication to ensuring access to justice for those in need. His commitment to pro bono work embodies the values of our chambers, and we couldn’t be prouder!
Congratulations, Nathan Baylis!
BarProBonoAwards ProBonoExcellence AccessToJustice
Read moreLondon Borough of [ ] v AL & Ors [2024] EWFC 390 (B)
21st Jan 2025
Three members of chambers appeared in the case of London Borough of [ ] v AL & Ors [2024] EWFC 390 (B), heard in the Family Court at West London,
Paul Murray, representing the First Respondent Mother, was instructed by Griffiths Robertson.
Ummar Ahmad, representing the Second Respondent Father, was instructed by Barrett & Thomson.
Susan Quinn, representing the Third Respondent Child, was instructed by Creighton Partners.
Read moreReported Judgment – George Paterson
16th Jan 2025
Third Six Pupil George Paterson Successfully Represents Respondent in FI v DO [2024] EWFC 384 (B)
George Paterson, instructed by Susie Packer of MSB Solicitors, represented the respondent in the recently published case of FI v DO [2024] EWFC 384 (B).
Read moreFamily Affairs – Paul Pavlou MCIArb
06th Jan 2025
Happy New Year!
Four Brick Court Chambers barrister Paul Pavlou MCIArb has the latest article in Family Affairs (The Family Law Bar Association)
Has the tide turned?
The article discusses judges encouraging court users to pursue mediation as a first step before initiating litigation.
Read moreSeason’s Greetings
16th Dec 2024
As the year draws to a close, we thank you for your continued trust and partnership. In the spirit of giving, we have made donations to the following charities in lieu of sending Christmas cards:
Mortal And Strong
https://www.mortalandstrong.com/
Make-A-Wish® UK
https://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/
We wish you joy, peace, and a prosperous New Year with new opportunities and success this festive season.
Read moreYaa Dankwa Ampadu-Sackey – The Bar Council of England and Wales’s third business development visit to Nairobi, Kenya
03rd Dec 2024
We are delighted to share that Yaa Dankwa Ampadu-Sackey will attend The Bar Council of England and Wales‘s third business development visit to Nairobi, Kenya, from December 3rd to 5th, 2024, the legal symposium is organised in collaboration with The Law Society of Kenya.
Read moreReported Judgment – Amy Slingo
13th Nov 2024
Re A and B (Adoption: Section 83 ACA 2002) [2024]
Amy Slingo recently represented the applicant adopter in an adoption order application before Mr Justice Cobb. The case raised important legal questions regarding the correct interpretation of Section 83 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 and the possibility of making an adoption order in circumstances where the Adoption with a Foreign Element Regulations 2005 have not been fully complied with.
Read moreYaa Dankwa Ampadu-Sackey: Reclaiming Narratives, Modern Families and Diversity
04th Nov 2024
In celebration of Black History Month, The Student Lawyer featured an insightful interview with barrister Yaa Dankwa Ampadu-Sackey, conducted by Christianah Omobosola Babajide. The discussion delves into Yaa Dankwa Ampadu-Sackey’s journey in the legal profession, her dedication to representing modern families, and her commitment to promoting diversity within the legal field.
Read moreReported Judgment – Nathan Baylis
22nd Oct 2024
Reported Case: RQ v TS [2024] EWHC 2509
Nathan Baylis acted for the respondent father in an appeal before Mrs Justice Judd, concerning changes to a child’s surname. Nathan Baylis represented the respondent pro bono, instructed through Advocate.
Read the reported Judgment here.
Read moreWhat others say about us
I have been really impressed by the consistently high standard of representation but more importantly, so have my clients!’
Emma Kirkaldie-Clay, Principal of Bellwether Solicitors (July 2019)
View more client Testimonials here
In E (Children: Costs) [2025] EWCA Civ 183, the Court of Appeal considered an appeal on costs following a fact-finding hearing in private law proceedings.
Justin Tadros, instructed by Jasmine Hollis from Beck Fitzgerald, appeared for the respondent mother (they were not the representatives at trial). The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal on costs in part and importantly confirmed at paragraphs 23 to 29 that the approach of ring-fencing and applying a different test to fact-finding hearing costs in private law (as proposed in Re J (Costs of Fact-Finding Hearing) [2009] EWCA Civ 1350)