PracticeKelly is a specialist in the law relating to children. In the last eight years her practice has solely consisted of Public Law cases.
Kelly has considerable experience acting for parents, children's guardians, the Official Solicitor and local authorities. Kelly has acted increasingly for children's guardians in cases involving complex physical and sexual abuse allegations. Kelly has particular expertise in the following areas: - Non-accidental injury cases;
- Complex Injury cases involving assessment of skeletal surveys, blood analysis and underlying medical disorders;
- Sexual abuse including child pornography, children as abuser and victim and sexual abuse over a considerable period only recently discovered;
- Cases where there are concurrent criminal proceedings;
- Adoption and Special Guardianship;
Skills* instructed in Fact Finding Hearings in relation to sexual and physical abuse due to her forensic skills; * precise and effective cross examination *considerable negotiation skills at early hearings to ensure focus upon placement, contact and case planning *ability to focus upon front loading of cases so disclosure issues and witness issues are all addressed well before Fact Finding *has been instructed in cases close to substantial hearings for cross examination skills and where case planning issues have arisen Notable CasesFact Finding Hearing - skull fractures [2010]: Instructed on behalf of 1st Respondent in case involving skull fractures to young infant where four expert opinions differed on nature and extent of injuries to skull. A Local Authority v M & M (by their Guardian) & Ors [2009] EWHC 3172 (Fam) Hedley J: Kelly was instructed on behalf of 1st Respondent in application (jointly with Guardian) to discharge father from proceedings. Application was allowed. Fact Finding Hearing in respect of multiple injuries to young infant [2009]: Instructed by the Guardian. Through cross examination by Kelly a perpetrator to the injuries was established. Judgement referred to cross examination of Ms Webb in assisting court with establishing the perpetrator of the injuries. Press Injunction/Wardship [2009]: Instructed on behalf of young mother in case involving injuries to her children in regard to whether press injunction should be made and at later hearings, whether injunction should continue. Injunction remained in place. Re L (a child) [2007] EWHC 3404: Was instructed post the Appeal before Ryder J, when the case was heard in the High Court. Kelly was instructed by the Applicant for the Final Hearing in the High Court to ensure hearing was conducted effectively and efficiently. SocietiesFamily Law Bar Association, Childright, Merlin Medical Relief - who provide medical assistance in conflict zones and are one of the few organisations in the Congo assisting children, Amnesty, World Wildlife Fund, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Woodland Trust BackgroundKelly lives in London with her partner who is a travel writer. They have two young sons.
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