Barrister
David Bannocks was called to the Bar in 2002. His work comprises of all aspects of family law involving children, appearing at all levels of the Family Court with ongoing cases in the High Court and recent cases in the Court of Appeal.
David considers that client care is of central importance and knows that people involved in family cases may be experiencing one of the most testing and stressful times of their lives. His caring and friendly manner will reassure and this is balanced with strong and realistic advice so that the client is prepared for the outcome.
When representing professional clients, David is known for his strong support, robust and practical advice and tenacity in the most difficult and testing of cases.
Public Law, Care and Adoption
David acts for local authorities, parents, grandparents, and children’s guardians. He appears in the most complex of cases involving, non-accidental injury, addiction, mental health, allegations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, domestic violence, neglect, international placements and adoption, deprivation of liberty etc.
Some recent cases include:
- Representing a local authority in long running, complex and ongoing proceedings involving international assessments, a previous abduction to Somalia and recently an appeal to the Court of Appeal (C and D (Children), Re [2019] EWCA Civ 1692 (03 October 2019).
- Representing children though a children’s guardian, in a long running case involving issues of deprivation of liberty, specialist educational provision and care plans hotly contested by the parents one of whom was a non-English speaking litigant in person. The case involved numerous interim applications due the volatility and unpredictability of the parents.
- Representing a local authority in ongoing proceedings involving assessments in the UK and Poland, the management of a volatile and potentially dangerous parent and the management of contact and assessments.
- Representing a local authority in proceedings involving a fact-finding in respect of very serious domestic violence, considerable disclosure issues and placement of the children with a non-resident father and in subsequent ongoing proceedings involving a further child.
- Recent experience of contested remote and telephone hearings during the COVID 19 crisis.
Private Law
David has huge experience in representing parties where there are disputes about where children will live, contact and all section 8 proceedings, Special Guardianship applications and leave to remove from the jurisdiction. He is regularly instructed to represent parents, Rule 16.4 guardians and interveners in fact finding hearings, disposal hearings and appeal hearings. He is routinely involved in cases which contain issues of implacable hostility and domestic violence.
Direct Public Access
As a qualified direct access barrister David will accept instructions from members of the public in suitable cases. He is able to quickly build a rapport with a client and to guide them through the complexity of the court process, give clear legal advice and undertake all aspects of court negotiation, advocacy and drafting of legal documents.
Education
University of London, Theology (BA) (1985)
University of Durham, Theology (MA) (1994)
Law Conversion:
University of Westminster, Graduate Diploma in Law (2000)
Law School:
Inns of Court School of Law (2002)
Memberships
