Ian Peddie QC

Practice

Ian specialises in family and criminal law.

Family

Ian is recognised as one of the leading family law silks in the country. He took silk in 1992. His family law practice covers all aspects of family law, with particular emphasis on issues relating to children. He is instructed in public and private law proceedings, including care proceedings, child protection issues, adoption and abduction, (national and international). He has acted on behalf of children, parents, local authorities, Guardians and the Official Solicitor. He has appeared in all tiers of Courts up to and including the House of Lords.and in most Court centres in England and Wales.

Ian has particular experience in cases involving child abuse, whether physical, sexual or emotional.. He has been involved in many murder cases, alleged factitious illness (Munchausen) cases and cases involving witchcraft, paedophilia and incest, (e.g. the 6 month South Wales Paedophile Ring case in which he was one of the few barristers who appeared in both the criminal and the Children Act proceedings). He is currently instructed on behalf of parents in a Children Act case in which Prof Sir Roy Meadow's advice and evidence in relation to a previous child is being challenged in respect of proceedings relating to a sibling born subsequently. The BBC are making a video diary film of this case.

One of Ian's strengths is in the rigorous cross-examination of experts, both medical and scientific.

Ian has often appeared in cases involving concurrent criminal proceedings acting on behalf of parents in the care and criminal cases.

Ian Peddie QC is ' a man of great humanity', being ' exceedingly conscientious' and well regarded for work in difficult abuse cases, having been involved as counsel in matters involving witchcraft, paedophilia and incest. Legal 500, 2008 edition. He is also identified as a 'leading silk.'

Crime

Ian has defended in many serious criminal cases. He has a particular interest in family related criminal cases i.e. cases involving concurrent criminal and family proceedings. He has developed a specialist expertise in examining and cross-examining children by video link.

He has appeared in all types of criminal cases, including, murder, infanticide, paedophilia, sexual abuse, serious drugs importation and terrorism cases.

He has been a Crown Court Recorder since 1993.

Notable cases

Ian has been involved in numerous reported cases a few of them are listed here

• 2000 Lewes Crown Court R v Lucas 21 year old father acquitted of murder of 6 week old son
• Re M (Contact: Parental Responsibility) [2001] 2 FLR 342
• Re W And B; Re W (Care Plan) (2001) EWCA Civ 757 [2001] 2 FLR 582 House of Lords Case on 'Starred Care Plans' Power of Court to control Care Plans. Effect of Human Rights Act on CA cases.
• R v Yusuf 2002 CCC Murder of three month old child (six week trial involving numerous medical/forensic experts)
• R v Lawrenson 2002 Murder of Partner by mother in presence of children
• 2001 to 2003 represented Oxford medical undergraduate in Criminal and Children Act proceedings in which he was charged with serious and persistent assaults upon girlfriend's young child over a period of months
• W and B, Re; Re W [2001] EWCA Civ 757 [2001] UKHRR 928
• 1992 Acted on behalf of Devon CC in the longest ever wardship case
• 1992 R v Owen - successfully defended client on counts including attempted murder; client admitted shooting a man who had been convicted of causing the death of client's son by dangerous driving
• 1993 instructed by the Official Solicitor in the 'Children of God' litigation
• R v Gwynedd County Council Ex Parte B [1992] 3 All ER 317
• 1994 R v Davies - acted for one of the principal defendants in the 8 month South Wales paedophile ring case. Acted in both family and criminal proceedings. The criminal appeal lasted 21 days (the second longest criminal appeal in recent times).
• 1996 R v Campbell - represented defendant in case of attack with machete on Wolverhampton primary school children. Miss Lisa Potts, the nursery assistant was awarded the GC.
• Re F (Wardship: Adoption) [1984] FLR 60
• Hereford And Worcester County Council V Jah [1986] 1 FLR 29
• R v North Yorkshire County Council Ex Parte M (NO. 2) [1989] 2 FLR 79
• R v North Yorkshire County Council Ex Parte M (NO. 3) [1989] 2 FLR 82
• M v M (Transfer Of Custody: Appeal) [1987] 2 FLR 146
• Hereford And Worcester County Council v JAH [1985] FLR 530
• Re W (A Minor) (Residence Order) [1993] 2 FLR 625
• Havering London Borough Council v S [1986] 1 FLR 489
• Re G (Minors) (Interim Care Order) [1993] 2 FLR 839
• R v Gwynedd County Council Ex Parte B [1991] 2 FLR 365
• Re R (A Minor) (Child In Care: Access) (1983) 4 FLR 787
• Birmingham City Council v Mr and Mrs H and S 2005 EEWHC 2885 (Family)

Lecturing

Ian has lectured to lawyers, care professionals and others on the law relating to children and the cross examination of expert witnesses.

Professional Associations

Currently Member of Legal Services Committee of Bar Council

Former Committee Member of the Bar Council

Committee Member of the FLBA for most years from 1989 to 2003

Chairman of the Sub-Committee of the FLBA on Accreditation of the Family Bar.

Currently Bar Representative on Solicitors Family Law Accreditation Advisory Board

Member of SE Circuit.

Member of Family Law Bar Association

Year of Call

Education

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