Thirty Park Place

Catherine Heyworth

Thirty Park Place - Chambers
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Catherine Heyworth

 
 
 

Year of Call

1991

Areas of Practice

Cohabitee and Matrimonial Finance

Education

Family and Child Care

 

Practice Overview

The majority of Catherine’s work now spanning across a 20 year period involves significant complex cases and high net worth financial dispute cases. Catherine is frequently enlisted against leading counsel as her burgeoning reputation grows.

Catherine is usually instructed by local authorities in order to conduct complex and demanding public law cases dealing almost exclusively with sexual abuse, physical abuse, infant/child death and severe neglect. Whilst undertaking a substantial amount of local authority work she is also instructed by parents and guardians.

Catherine also undertakes ancillary relief work which includes complex cases involving high net worth disputes, businesses and farming cases.

Catherine also undertakes cases in SEN tribunals for Local Education Authorities.

Appointments

  • Pupil Supervisor

Memberships

  • Family Law Bar Association 

Education

  • LL.B (Hons)

Notable and Reported Cases

  • Re W [2001] 1 FCR 139: threshold criteria - necessity for hearing on allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour between mother and child during contact;
  • Re S [1996] 2 FLR 773: early hearings in contested care cases to identify issues and encourage agreement between experts, to avoid delay.

During the course of the last 5 years, Catherine has undertaken very challenging work which has included: 

Acting in care proceedings on behalf of local authorities where allegations of sexual abuse have been made against foster carers.

Non accidental injury cases where historical injuries have had to be considred, which had previously been thought to be of accidental origin.

Care cases involving the revisiting of historical child deaths within a family.

Care cases dealing with drug poisoning of children.

Care cases in the High Court where media access has been permitted.

Catherine has acted for Health Boards dealing with disputed treatment issues involving children.

Care cases dealing with international sex abuse of children.

Care cases involving severe head injuries to children resulting in death or significant disability.

Care cases dealing with interfamilial and step parents sexual abuse including rape

 

 
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