Barbara Mills KC

Barbara is a specialist family practitioner with an emphasis in Children cases. She is regularly instructed by Local Authorities and Guardians in complex care proceedings. In addition, she has extensive experience advising and acting for parties in private law proceedings often with an international element in the High Court. Barbara is an experienced family mediator, collaboratively trained counsel and offers Early Neutral Evaluation (private judging).

International Children Law

Private Children Law

Public Children Law

Offers Child Inclusive mediation - can talk to the children as part of the mediation process

Chambers & Partners 2017 – Band 1:

Highly regarded family barrister with recognised expertise in private children proceedings, in particular cross-border cases in the High Court. She also demonstrates strength in mediation and is a private judge.

Strengths: “Her preparation is excellent, her cross-examination is second to none and she is absolutely magical in court.”

Recent work: Represented the father in contested proceedings concerning the future care of a seven year old girl. The case involved allegations of maternal mental health, drug misuse, and both domestic and physical violence against the girl.

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Experience

Year of Call: 1990

Arbitrator for children cases

Offers child inclusive mediation

Education

LLB (Hull)

Qualified Collaborative Lawyer

Trained Family Mediator

Appointments

Recorder 2012

Family Law Bar Association

Association of Women Barristers

Association of Lawyers for Children

Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers Central London

Collaborative Forum South Eastern Circuit

Affiliate Member of Resolution

Legal Directories:

Chambers and Partners 2017 - Band 1:

Highly regarded family barrister with recognised expertise in private children proceedings, in particular cross-border cases in the High Court. She also demonstrates strength in mediation and is a private judge.

Strengths: "Her preparation is excellent, her cross-examination is second to none and she is absolutely magical in court."

Recent work: Represented the father in contested proceedings concerning the future care of a seven year old girl. The case involved allegations of maternal mental health, drug misuse, and both domestic and physical violence against the girl.

Chambers & Partners 2016 – Band 1:

A senior junior of choice for complex private children matters, who wins plaudits from sources for her commitment and client empathy. She is also a collaborative lawyer offering mediation and early neutral evaluation.

Strengths: “She really is leader quality at junior prices.” “Enormously capable when it comes to complex Children Act matters at all levels; she’s measured, sensible and tells it how it is.

The Legal 500 2015:

‘Very persuasive on her feet.’

Chambers & Partners 2015 – Band 1:

Has great experience and a deservedly strong reputation for her work in private law children proceedings. She deals principally with international relocations and cases relating to same-sex families.

Expertise: “She clearly knows the law well and has a good, sensible down-to-earth approach. She works very well with clients.” “She’s measured and sensible, and tells it how it is.”

The Legal 500 2014:

 ‘An excellent strategist, and a joy to work with.’ Recommended as a Leading Family Junior in the area of Children Law

Chambers & Partners 2014 – Band 1:

Excels in international children cases and is especially noted for her expertise in matters relating to surrogacy and adoption.

Expertise: “Tells it exactly how it is: she is very straight, very sensible and calm.” “Her attention to detail is great.”

Recent work: Successfully acted for a father who is the respondent in a private law case brought by a mother who wanted to relocate to Brazil with the parties’ child. The matter involved issues concerning a shared residence order for the child, as well as religious and cultural factors, the impracticality of contact and a review of the case law.

Legal 500 2013

Barbara Mills is 'frighteningly intelligent'. Recommended as a Leading Family Junior in the area of Children Law

Recommended as a Leading Family Junior in Chambers and Partners 2013:

The "utterly superb" Barbara Mills concentrates her family law practice on children cases, and has a noted specialism in matters concerning surrogacy and adoption. Interviewees note that she can "carry clients with her and persuade them of the right course," and describe her as being excellent when handling "stressful, nasty disputes." 

Recommended as a Leading Family Junior in Legal 500 2012:

Barbara Mills is ‘first port of call on contact, residence and relocation disputes’

Recommended as a Leading Family Junior in Chambers and Partners 2012:

Barbara Mills, "a very calm and clear player" who regularly handles international children matters including leave to remove cases. Sources applaud her sensible and practical approach.

Recommended as a Leading Family Junior in Chambers and Partners 2011:

Barbara Mills is "a high-class performer" who is often instructed by blue-chip solicitors in complex Children Act disputes. She is emblematic of the quality at a set.

Client feedback:

“Barbara is an ideal children specialist barrister. She is very user friendly and has a real gift for engaging with her clients. Barbara fights hard for her clients and never gives up on a good cause. These qualities combined with a bright disposition mean that Barbara is much in demand. She is also an enthusiastic supporter of alternative dispute resolution in family law.”  Gillian Bishop - Family law in Partnership

“Barbara has done some very good Children Act work for me where she has gone the extra mile and provided tremendous client service. She is also very approachable and organised. I wouldn’t hesitate to use her again other cases”  Suzanne Kingston - Withers

“One of the leading children law practitioners in London, who will fight her corner impeccably against any silk. With an intuitive understanding of what makes client's tick, and an incisive view of the way the judicial wind is blowing, she is always at the top of my list.”  John Nicholson - Irwin Mitchell (London)

“Barbara is a knowledgeable and personable Barrister but above all an outstanding advocate”  David Jane

These comments represent a fair and balanced summary of the responses received.