Our People

Damian is the Head of our Family Law department and has over 30 years’ experience within this complex area of law. He is an accredited member of the Law Society Children Law panel, which recognises the high standard required by solicitors in the representation of parents and children in legal proceedings. Damian specialises in the conduct of public law cases involving applications by a local authority for Care Orders and related matters.

The particular areas of work undertaken by Damian are:

• Care and Supervision proceedings before the Family Court.
• Emergency Protection (EPO) applications.
• Placement and Adoption proceedings.
• PLO (Public Law Outline) proceedings, also referred to as Pre-Proceedings Meetings (PPM).
• Advice in connection with Child Protection Conferences.
• Applications for Discharge of Care Orders.

Damian understands the significant anxiety and distress suffered by parents when social services raise safeguarding concerns about their children and especially when legal proceedings are commenced. He takes an empathic approach in supporting parents going through this experience and provides them with clear and advice and guidance to achieve the best possible outcome.

Public Law cases typically involve concerns relating to mental health, substance misuse or domestic violence. Damian has represented many parents with such issues in Court proceedings and helped them, not only to successfully address those issues, but to reunite them with their children. The welfare of a child is always the most important consideration and separation from their family must be an absolute last resort. Damian will make every effort to support parents faced with the threat of their child being removed into foster care and preserving family ties.