Dr Jaime Craig is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Chair of the Association of Clinical Psychologists (ACP-UK). He has over 23 years’ experience as an expert witness in the Family Courts (children and adults) – and leads ACP-UK’s Expert Witness Network. He was lead author of the Family Justice Council (FJC)/ British Psychological Society guidance on the use of Psychologists as Expert witnesses in the family courts and contributed to similar guidelines for Paediatrician experts in his previous role as a member of the Family Justice Council. He helped write the recently published FJC guidance on how allegations of ‘alienating behaviours’ are responded to by the courts and speaks nationally and internationally on this topic. He also helped write the FJC guidance on Covert recordings in family law proceedings. He has delivered training to psychologists, social workers/family court advisors and legal professionals/the judiciary. Clinically he has many years’ NHS experience working in specialist CAMHS and independently with both adults and children, including consultation to children’s home staff. He has published clinical research across the age range and in relation to autism diagnosis.
Ruth Kirby KC practices primarily in children and Court of Protection work. She has particular experience in representing high profile families and individuals and of representing very religiously-observant families and families embroiled in political and cross-jurisdictional issues, sometimes with their own Governments. She deals with all aspects of private and public family law – both domestic and international. Ruth is dual qualified in the Irish Republic and has rights of audience before the Irish courts. She also is instructed as an expert witness in Irish and European family law cases.
Beth Morton of Deans Court has developed a busy and thriving specialist family law practice. She regularly acts for Local Authorities, Guardians and parents in all aspects of public child law and private child law, adoption, special guardianship, Rule 16.4 cases and relocation cases. She has experience of complex and unusual cases, findings of fact hearings, and cases involving serious non-accidental injury, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, domestic violence and drug and alcohol misuse.
David McCormick of Exchange Chambers is regularly instructed in private law matters involving residence, contact, specific issue orders and prohibited steps orders. He also acts in matters concerning non-molestation orders and occupation orders. David has a particular interest in cases involving relocation and international relocation. David has a growing practice in financial remedy proceedings. He has recent experience of high value and complex cases.
District Judge Philip O’Neill was called to the Bar in 1983. He practiced at 7 Harrington St Chambers where he dealt with Public and Private Children work as well as Financial Remedy work. He was appointed a Full Time District Judge in 2005, sitting at Birkenhead and Liverpool. Since November 2017 Judge O’Neill has sat exclusively at the Family Court in Liverpool where he deals exclusively with Public and Private Children work.
Gemma Thomas of 7 Harrington Street Chambers, is a dedicated and experienced barrister with a specialist practice in family law, focusing on financial remedy applications and private law proceedings involving children and domestic abuse. Known for her sensitive yet robust approach, Gemma, represents clients in complex private law disputes involving allegations of parental alienation, coercive control, emotional harm, and financial, physical and sexual abuse. With a deep understanding of the dynamics of abuse and trauma, Gemma advocates tirelessly for the safety and best interests of children and vulnerable individuals. Ranked as ‘Leading Junior’ by Legal 500 in 2025 Gemma is praised for clear, strategic advice and a calm, compassionate courtroom manner.
Sasha Watkinson of Deans Court Chambers undertakes complex private law cases involving sexual abuse, implacable hostility and international relocation. Ranked in Legal 500, 2024 as a Leading Junior.
