Public Law Children Seminar Recap

April 14, 2025

Public Law Children Seminar Recap

On 9th April, Tayntons Solicitors proudly hosted a Public Law Children Seminar in partnership with DNA Legal and Queens Square Chambers. The event brought legal and child law professionals together to explore critical developments in the area of public law children and to share expert insights that are helping shape the field.

Here’s a breakdown of the key discussions from the seminar and how they contribute to the ongoing progress within the area of public law children .

DNA Legal – The Importance of Toxicology in Family Justice

The director of DNA Legal David Nicholson, a leading provider in drug and alcohol testing services, opened the seminar by addressing how toxicology reporting plays a vital role in supporting justice for all families. Their insightful presentation detailed:

• The importance of precise toxicology reporting in legal proceedings.

• How testing results are used to create informed and unbiased judgements.

• The role accurate testing can play in safeguarding children while supporting families facing challenges.

Their expertise shed light on how toxicology tests, when meticulously conducted and reported, ensure that courts have reliable evidence, enabling fair and just outcomes for all parties involved.

Notable Insights

For legal professionals working in public law children matters, reliable toxicology reporting is paramount in making informed decisions that prioritise a child’s welfare.

Queens Square Chambers – Deprivation of Liberty & Post-Adoption Contact Guidance

Barristers Ian Halliday and Richard Pinhorn of Queens Square Chambers took the floor to address two critical areas currently very relevant topics in the area of public law children:

• Deprivation of Liberty Concerning Children:

They discussed its implications, the complexities around its application, and the safeguards needed to ensure the child’s rights are upheld throughout the process.

• Post-Adoption Contact:

They explored the current views and guidance on post-adoption contact, shedding light on the evolving legal landscape and providing valuable perspectives on balancing the needs of adoptive families and birth families alike.

Notable Insights

Both discussions provided meaningful insight for attendees grappling with these multifaceted issues in their everyday practice. Clear guidance and legal considerations remain essential in navigating these challenging areas of law.

Tayntons Solicitors  – Advocates and Intermediaries Within Proceedings

Lastly, Gemma Candlish and Julia Tolerton from Tayntons shared their expertise on the recent guidance regarding advocates and intermediaries in public law children proceedings. Their session included:

• A detailed overview of advocates’ and intermediaries roles in ensuring fair representation during proceedings.
• How intermediaries and advocates provide crucial communication support for vulnerable parties, ensuring their voices and perspectives are not overlooked.
• Considered relevant case law referred to in the guidance and ended the presentation with an open discussion about the impacts this guidance will have in practice.

Notable Insights

Their presentation highlighted the necessity of advocates and intermediaries in achieving justice and effective communication in the courtroom, particularly for vulnerable individuals, and considering how this will be impacted in the future following the recent guidance.

The Public Law Children Seminar provided an invaluable platform for professionals to engage in critical discussion and knowledge-sharing around pressing issues in the area of public law children. By uniting expertise from DNA Legal, Queens Square Chambers, and Tayntons Solicitors, attendees gained actionable insights into emerging challenges and practical solutions.

At Tayntons, we are committed to supporting legal professionals and fostering discussions that advance the welfare of children and families, ensuring our knowledge is up to date to assist the clients we represent.

To learn more about our family and child law services or to stay updated on future events, get in touch with our team today.

Contact us at Tayntons to see how we can support your legal practice or your family’s needs.