Family News

SIMON MILLER RIP

25th April 2025

The members and staff at 3PB (3 Paper Buildings) wish to extend to our colleagues at Harcourt Chambers our deepest sympathies on learning of the death of our dear friend Simon Miller. A former member of chambers, Simon was a key part in the development and the success of 3PB's Oxford office. His funeral is being held this afternoon Friday 24 April 2025. A gifted family barrister, Simon will be remembered for his dedication to...

Andrew Duncan and Gemma Chapman in complex case where medical experts cross-examination proves pivotal

23rd April 2025

3PB family barristers Andrew Duncan and Gemma Chapman, led by 4PB's Alison Grief KC and Sam King KC respectively, represented the mother and father in the complex, non-accidental head injury case of Re X & Y (Children) [2024] EWFC 443 (B), where the challenge of expert views under cross-examination led to the mother being exonerated from causing injury and the father deemed to have done so using lesser force and without intention. In a climate...

"Daisy through the looking-glass" to be performed today at the Royal Courts of Justice

17th April 2025

3PB family barrister and arbitrator Stephen Wildblood KC, who is a former family judge, is the writer and director of the innovative new play, "Daisy Through The Looking Glass", a production which aims to hold a mirror up to the family law system and the real impact it can make on families. Based on real legal experiences, the play will be performed at the Royal Courts of Justice later this afternoon and explores a father,...

Zahra Tierney and Jeremy Warner become members of chambers

16th April 2025

3PB are pleased to announce that barristers Zahra Tierney and Jeremy Warner (pictured here, left to right) have successfully completed their twelve-month pupillages and become members of the 270-barrister, national chambers. Former first-class law graduate Zahra Tierney (call: 2022) will continue her busy practice with a particular focus on property law (particularly residential landlord and tenant issues), commercial law and general civil litigation from 3PB's Oxford office. A former paralegal, Zahra worked for two London-based...

Paul Froud appears in Court of Appeal case reasserting the need to achieve fairness for vulnerable individuals

10th April 2025

The Court of Appeal has today handed down judgment in M (A Child: Intermediaries) [2025] EWCA Civ 440, granting an appeal brought by a Mother against the refusal of the trial Judge to permit her to be assisted by an intermediary during a Fact-Finding Hearing to determine how her (then) 10-month-old son sustained a serious fracture to his skull. Lord Justice Peter Jackson considered the decisions of Lieven J in West Northamptonshire Council v KA...

3PB second six pupils are on their feet and accepting instructions

2nd April 2025

3PB (3 Paper Buildings) are pleased to announce that our second six pupils - James, Emily and Victoria (pictured left to right) - are now on their feet and accepting instructions in their own cases. All started their pupillages last October. James Hume, a former Fleet Air Arm Officer, will now accept instructions in commercial litigation, property and construction disputes. Emily Hayward, who was a paralegal in Slaughter and May’s Disputes and Investigation team, will...

February Family Law Newsletter Out Now

25th February 2025

Welcome to our renewed 3PB family team newsletter, a quarterly update filled with analysis, reported cases and the latest news from the team, edited by Amy Beddis.
In this edition, we showcase our family arbitrators. Analysis is provided by Emma Griffiths on Section 20 and care proceedings. Imogen Robins and Amphlett Lissimore head of family law Estella Newbold-Brown have written on the legal intricacies of pet arrangements after a separation and Kara Cann considers current attitudes to ‘denial models’ of risk assessment.
We look at the reported cases that Dorian Day, Andrew Duncan, Matiss Krumins, Harriet Lavis, Sam Smith and Charlotte Steer recently acted in.
Finally, our team is looking forward to our 3rd Annual Private Law Children and Financial Remedies Conference on 10th April in Birmingham as well as our Family Law Brunch webinar on 27 February. You can still register for both these events.

Dorian Day in Court of Appeal over a final order at a DRA in a dispute over three children

25th February 2025

3PB's family law barristers Dorian Day acted in the Court of Appeal before Lord Justice Baker, Lord Justice Nugee and Lady Justice Laing in the case of Re: A, B AND C (Child arrangements: final order at dispute resolution appointment) [2025] EWCA Civ 55, which saw the appeal of his client mother dismissed, affirming the Deputy District Judge (DDJ)'s decision in the lower court. The Court ruled that the mother's conduct and lack of substantive...

3PB’s family team to contribute to Family Law Week’s Finance Remedy Conference

20th February 2025

3PB Barristers’ (3 Paper Buildings) specialist family barristers Stephen Wildblood KC and Imogen Robins will be speaking at Family Law Week’s Financial Remedy: Practice and Procedure Conference, taking place in London on Tuesday 11 March 2025. Experienced family law barrister and former Designated Family Judge for Bristol, Stephen Wildblood KC, will be chairing the event in his capacity as Editor-in-Chief at Family Law Week. Imogen Robins, who is renowned for her expertise in family finance...

Andrew Duncan and Charlotte Steer navigate complex FII case with successful outcome

19th February 2025

At a substantial hearing before Mrs Justice Lieven, 3PB family barristers Andrew Duncan, leading Charlotte Steer (pictured here, left to right), acted for the children in the recent reported case of A Local Authority v T & Ors [2025] EWHC 334 (Fam).  The case centred on the transfer of risk arising from alleged Fabricated or Induced Illness (“FII”) in a disabled child to their younger sibling. The guardian’s report played a pivotal role in the...

Rachel Bale speaking at the Oxford Family Law Seminar 2025

18th February 2025

3PB's matrimonial finances and family trusts barrister Rachel Bale will be speaking at the Oxford Family Law Seminar 2025 about the role of conduct in financial proceedings. Organised by the Oxford judiciary and Oxfordshire Resolution, this event will see Rachel debating legal guidance and advice on topical family law subjects, alongside other experts. The seminar will be taking place at Oxford Combined Court Centre in St Aldates, Oxford on Wednesday 5th March 2025 from 2pm....

Family barrister Laura Buchan moves to 3PB

3rd February 2025

Family barrister Laura Buchan (2016 call), a busy private law children, financial remedies and TOLATA specialist, will join 3PB (3 Paper Buildings) on Tuesday 11 February. Laura is also renowned as a family law specialist in cases involving crypto-assets and contesting legal costs in divorce and other family financial disputes. Commended by clients in Legal 500 as "extremely analytical and "her attention to detail is second-to-none," Laura was described as a family law barrister who...