Barristers

Teertha is a specialist senior barrister and trial advocate with over 30 years of experience.

He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2012 and a (Family) Deputy High Court Judge in 2016. Teertha also sits as a part time Circuit Judge (a Recorder) in the Criminal and Civil courts.

His areas of expertise include complex domestic and international children cases such as relocation, cross-border parental abductions and acrimonious contact disputes.

Teertha is also the go to person for forced marriage and stranded spouse cases. He has spoken in the House of Commons and was named by Lord Lester in the House of Lords as one of the four senior pro bono lawyers behind the Forced Marriage Civil Protection Bill which became a statute in 2007.

Hotly contested proceedings for clients who are running unpopular arguments before the courts are his forte. He has developed the ability to present any case in its best possible light and has been known to have changed Judges’ minds in the most difficult of cases. He examines cases in detail and leaves no stone unturned.

Teertha’s practice is widely spread geographically across England and Northern Ireland (and the Eastern Caribbean) in all levels of court from County court to the ECJ. To date, he has been involved in 10 full appeals in the UKSC/House of Lords.

Christopher is a fearless and persuasive advocate, combining formidable strategic and tactical thinking with a keen forensic insight. He is a specialist in all areas of international law, with the knowledge and experience to take on complex issues of jurisdiction, finance and movement of children.

Christopher has extensive experience in matrimonial finance with substantial assets, often with an international element or involving off-shore or domestic trusts or where criminal confiscation and restraint orders have been made. Having been involved in the leading case on Legal Service Payment Orders, he is much in demand for all types of applications for legal funding orders.

He is one of the leading lights in international child abduction in the country. His case-work involve the Hague 1980 and 1996 Conventions, Wardship and the inherent jurisdiction and the enforcement of foreign orders. He appears both at first instance and appeals: he has appeared in both the CJEU and the UKSC. He also has a considerable practice in relocation and international adoption cases.

He is sought after by solicitors in disputes over the court’s jurisdiction to entertain applications for children and divorce; these may involve issues of non-marriage, habitual residence, domicile, forum non conveniens and the maintenance regulation.

He has been Chair of the CALA since 2018 and regularly participates at international conferences. As Chair, he has been involved in extensive consultations about practice and procedure following the President’s Guidance and on the post Covid-19 lockdown court environment.

He is an author and contributory editor of 2 chapters of Rayden & Jackson on the Hague 1980 Convention and committal.

He regularly chairs and lectures seminars and conferences on a variety of practice areas. In 2020 topics have included:
• Conduct, Contributions and Pre-acquired Assets after XW v XH
• Non-marriage (Akhter); parens patriae and the inherent jurisdiction (Re N);
and the effect of Brexit on family law

In February 2020 Christopher gave evidence to the House of Lords EU Justice Sub-Committee on behalf of the Bar Council on “Civil Justice Co-operation after Brexit. His evidence ranged over both divorce/finance and children.

He is a trustee of CFAB and reviews cases for Advocate.

He sits as Recorder on the NE Circuit and is approved for the Financial Remedies Court. He is a qualified arbitrator in both children (now including international relocation) and money work.

As Chief Executive, Lisa is responsible for delivering Unit Chambers’ bold vision.

With nearly 20 years experience and expertise in high level and complex cases, Lisa is one of the leading family law barristers in the country. Her mission is simple; to get the best possible result in the courtroom. Her expertise lies both in arguing a case and in cross examining witnesses at trial. In addition, she is often asked to prepare complex legal documents and advise on difficult and sensitive issues.

Lisa travels around the country appearing at all levels of the Family Court. She undertakes work in all aspects of relationship breakdowns but specialises in cases relating to children, including:

• Fact find hearings (allegations of physical / sexual / emotional abuse of children)
• Care proceedings
• Child arrangements Orders; i.e. who children should live with and spend time with
• International and internal relocation of children
• Child Abduction / Hague Convention
• Arbitration

With nearly 20 years of operating at the highest level where she has seen and heard it all. She has learnt that the real issues aren’t usually about the paperwork and the process. They tend to be about people, relationships and doing the right thing. That’s why she will always make it a priority to focus and drill down on the points that are going to matter to get the best possible result for her clients.

Since commencing practice in 2001, Clare has established herself as one of the leading family law barristers on the Northern Circuit. Clare is widely known as a barrister who brings huge expertise and experience across both public and private law and has represented local authorities, parents, children and interveners in public and private law. She is well known for her passion, drive and determination to achieve the best outcome for her clients and is highly regarded for her effective and efficient case management. Clare is highly respected for her robust approach and is very mindful of the need to manage expectations in very emotive and difficult situations with sensitivity and care.

In addition, Clare is a trained mediator allowing her to undertake mediation in all types of family proceedings. She fully believes in the value of the mediation process within family litigation and believes that both parties, in such cases, can greatly benefit from the process as an effective way of agreeing a solution to a dispute, rather than having a solution imposed upon them.

Since qualification Kerri worked in-house in the legal departments of seven local authorities, providing case management, advice and advocacy for their Children’s Services. Kerri has a dynamic and in depth knowledge of the working of Local Authority Children Services, including their rights, duties and responsibilities. Most recently, Kerri has been a member of 7 Harrington Street Chambers.

Kerri is confident in conducting Children Act 1989 and Adoption and Children Act 2002 proceedings on behalf of Local Authorities, ranging from EPO/ ICO applications, interim hearing, fact finding hearings and final hearing for care orders, supervision orders, secure accommodation orders, placement orders and leave to oppose adoption orders. Kerri accepts instruction on behalf of local authorities, parents, guardians and intervenors in public law proceedings. Kerri also regularly conducts High Court proceedings concerning children.

Kerri also practices in Human Rights claims brought against Local Authority Children’s Services for breaches of children’s article 6 and 8 rights.

Kerri’s practice also covers Private Family applications for residence, contact, SGO’s, and private adoptions, and, parental alienation. Kerri is regularly instructed to cover CMH, FDRH, DRH, Fact Finding Hearing, Final Hearings and interim applications.

Kerri has a particular interest in Media and Reporting injunctions relating to children in proceedings and Looked After Children, particularly injunctions against social media campaigns against Local Authorities.

Kerri is authorised to accept instructions on a Direct Access basis in private law proceedings concerning children.

Claire is a well-respected and highly sought-after Barrister with over 21 years of experience across the Northern and Wales circuits. She was called to the Bar in 1999.

Initially with a 7-year mixed practice of Family (private and public law matters) and Criminal Law she then developed her Criminal Crown Court practice defending and prosecuting a wide range of serious criminal cases.

Over her 21 years of practice, Claire has developed a substantial and effective toolkit of knowledge, advocacy skills and client/witness care skills. She brings that wealth of experience and her significant skills and abilities into the next her career specialising in Family Law at Unit Chambers.

Kristine graduated from Liverpool University with a BSc honours degree in Zoology and also completed an MBA from the University of Chester. She has been a member of the Law Society‘s Children Panel since 2002 and finds that her scientific background has been a real asset in cases involving complicated medical evidence. Kristine undertakes work in all aspects of relationship and family breakdown but specialises in cases relating to children.

She brings 30 years worth of experience and specialism in family law and in particular public law work and is known for her attention to detail and tenacity alongside providing clients in courtroom environments with calm reassurance.

In her career as a solicitor, Kristine has filled roles as head of department of her specialist area and latterly has accumulated almost 10 years of experience offering services as a court agent advocate.

Eve has a broad practice across all areas of family law, including private children, family finance and property, international family law, and applications under the Family Law Act 1996.

Prior to practising as a barrister Eve worked as a Legal officer for the RCN where she successfully defended large numbers of nurses before disciplinary and regulatory tribunals for issues including lack of competence, misconduct, and issues of fitness to practice. She also worked as a Presenting Officer regularly before fitness to practice tribunals on behalf of the regulator. Eve has continued to undertake regulation work for medical professionals and social workers on a pro bono basis.

Eve also spent time working with victims of sexual assault and rape at Rape Crisis and St. Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester, where she gained experience in dealing with a wide range of vulnerable children and adults.

Eve is known by those who instruct her for a practical approach, whilst giving honest advice as to what is realistic and achievable.

She is very down-to-earth and approachable.

As one of the most likeable solicitors in the North West, Lyana Chan is a key addition to the Unit Chambers team and brings a wide range of experience and expertise in all aspects of family law. Lyana has recently completed a reduced six month pupillage with us. In addition, Lyana has spent a considerable amount of her practice working on civil litigation as well as adult and mental health.

Lyana graduated with an LLB from Staffordshire University in 1998 and was admitted as a solicitor in 2006 after working as a paralegal and trainee solicitor in North Wales. She passed her Bar Transfer Test in 2016 and was called to the Bar earlier this year as a member of Gray’s Inn. She has an in-depth and dynamic knowledge of the workings of local authority children’s services having worked as part of the child protection and adult social services team of Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council for the past 14 years.

Outside of work Lyana loves spending time with her family, especially her two young children, as well as horse riding, keeping fit and baking.

Amjad is a familiar and friendly face across the Liverpool family law scene as he was previously a family court clerk and paralegal at MSB Solicitors. He has recently undertaken advocacy on behalf of fee earners in several hearings in the Family Court which include non-molestation applications and return hearings. Amjad completed his twelve-month pupillage at Unit Chambers from 2020 to 2021 and accepted membership with us in November 2021.

Amjad graduated with an LLB from Newcastle University in 2017 and in addition passed his Bar Professional Training Course from Northumbria University in 2018. He was founder and President of the Newcastle University Bar Society and was also an Ambassador for the Street Law Pro Bono Programme.

Outside of work, Amjad has a keen interest in fitness and trains in different martial arts. He is also a keen writer of screenplays in both film and television.

Natasha has a unique and varied background that makes her an upcoming force to be reckoned with in the North-West. She has a longstanding desire to help children as demonstrated within her professional journey thus far. Natasha is fascinated by the ever-evolving role the Family Court plays in finding solutions for families and the continuous social changes it faces in modern day Britain.

Chloë joined Unit Chambers in March 2023.

Chloë accepts instructions in all matters relating to children and matrimonial finance.

Before coming to the Bar, Chloë was the Operations Manager of her family’s group of dental practices in Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Yorkshire. Before her life in dentistry, Chloë worked for MBNA Europe Bank Limited concluding her banking career as a specialist on an international technology project.

Chloë’s experience in dentistry and business gives her empathy with clients, balanced with pragmatism.

Chloë is commended by instructing solicitors for her ability to put people at ease, particularly young or exceptionally anxious clients. She is also noted for her ability to get to grips with complex matters quickly.