Christopher Rice

In care work Christopher regularly acts for local authorities, but achieves a balance in also representing parents and children through their guardian.

Selected Cases

• County Council v KO & RL & ML & MML (by their guardian) [2018] EWFC 21: Acted for the second respondent in an application for care orders relating to two children.
• Re C (Child) [2013] CA: Represented appellant mother in successful appeal concerning the approach of court when child returned to mother's care.
• Re G (Children) [2013] EWCA Civ 1017: 'Man of straw and costs' as counsel for the respondent in lower court where the appeal was dismissed.
• Re G [2013]: Represented father in six day fact-finding hearing regarding serious injury to child's genitalia with finding that mother caused injury.

Christopher acts for parents in section 8 Children Act 1989 applications, including those which feature non-compliance and enforcement, require a rule 16.4 guardian, involving permission to remove children from England and Wales, and where special guardianship orders are sought. Christopher also has significant experience of representing clients in highly acrimonious contact and residence disputes.

Christopher also undertakes work in respect of all aspects of the financial side of the family breakdown, including financial remedy, Schedule 1 Applications and child maintenance.

Christopher is experienced in dealing with urgent and non-urgent cases including: Non-molestation orders and Occupation orders. This work frequently ties in with cases in Christopher’s other areas of expertise (particularly around family finance and private children law) as he is able to draw on his experience and skills from other aspects of his work to provide holistic advice and representation.

Christopher accepts work from lay clients via Direct Access. You can view his profile here.