Christopher Johns

Christopher practises in all areas of children and domestic abuse law, providing advice, assistance and representation at court.

There is always a focus to avoid court proceedings if possible, including by way of negotiations, advice about mediation and in the case of social services involvement, meeting with other professionals involved.

Christopher provides firm but fair advice and representation, guiding each client through the process with clear explanation of each stage of the process and providing realistic options and expectations as to the overall outcome.

Christopher has worked with a variety of clients, including parents, grandparents and extended family members.

He has experience in representing vulnerable clients, including those with learning difficulties or disabilities, mental health difficulties and other disabilities, as well as those who are vulnerable or who may have suffered trauma due to their own personal circumstances or backgrounds.

Where necessary, Christopher works with a client’s support network, including professionals, such as support workers and advocates but also family and friends.

Christopher has experience in cases with complex issues, including children and adults with additional needs, expert evidence (psychological, psychiatric and medical), serious injuries to children, as well as types of abuse and neglect.

Where court proceedings are necessary, Christopher has experience in representing clients on applications for a variety of Orders such as Care Orders, Supervision Orders, Placement Orders, Adoption Orders, Special Guardianship Orders, Child Arrangement Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders, Specific Issue Orders, Non-Molestation Orders, Occupation Orders and others.

Christopher has assisted clients in cases before the Family Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.

Notable Family cases

• Specific Issue Order
  

  Assisting a parent in obtaining a Specific Issue Order for permission to remove children from the jurisdiction to live abroad.

• Child Arrangements Order
  

  Assisting an aunt in obtaining a Child Arrangements Order to spend time with (have contact with) her niece.

• Special Guardianship Order
  

  Assisting a relative in obtaining a Special Guardianship Order for the care of the child where, unfortunately, the parents were unable to care for the child, consequently avoiding the child being in Local Authority care or adopted.

• Care & Contact Arrangements
  

  Assisting two separate clients in securing care and contact arrangements which included consideration of complex psychological and psychiatric evidence.

• Injunctions
  

  Assisting many clients in obtaining injunctions for protection from a former partner or family member in circumstances of serious physical, emotional, psychological and financial abuse.

• Return of Children
  

  Assisting a client with securing the return of their children where, after being injured, the court had sanctioned their removal by the Local Authority and the court later having determined that the client had caused the injuries. Supporting the client through professional work and assessment to demonstrate that it was safe for them to rejoin the family and parent the children.

• Findings of Fact
  

  Assisting a client in securing findings of fact that they had been physically and emotionally abused as well as subject to coercion and control from their previous partner and father of their child. Thus allowing the court to be able to make a decision on a correct factual basis.

• Appeal
  

  Assisting a client in challenging findings of fact to the Court of Appeal in which the court dismissed the findings of the Family Court and concluded that the allegations should not be reconsidered.