Carol Binnion

Carol was a solicitor for 25 years prior to being called to the Bar in 2010 when she joined St Ives Chambers. She had, until that time, been a partner in a local firm. As a solicitor Carol had been a member of the Children’s Panel of Solicitors since its inception in 1984 representing children of all ages. Throughout her career as a solicitor she gained extensive experience as a family law advocate specialising in care and adoption proceedings representing parents, children and local authorities. She aims to ensure, as a barrister, that she provides the service that she would have expected from counsel when she was a solicitor.

Carol practices in public family law proceedings and appears in the Family Court at all levels.

Carol appreciates how stressful family law cases are for all involved and ensures that she deal with cases in a sensitive manner and that she does all she can to put her clients at ease.

In public law proceedings Carol continues to represent parents, local authorities, children including young people who are capable of giving instructions, and other parties or interveners. Her work has encompassed finding of fact hearings including child death (where she has been led by leading counsel), non-accidental injury allegations, sexual abuse allegations, and domestic violence. She has expertise in alcohol and drug misuse, and neglect cases.

She has a particular interest in representing parents with learning difficulties including those represented by the Official Solicitor and aims to ensure that her clients fully understand the proceedings and that their views are communicated to the court.

Court of Protection

Carol undertakes court of protection work where children are in the category of 16 to 18 year olds and come within  both the family jurisdiction and the court of protection jurisdiction.

Notable Cases

Re M (2018) EWCA Civ 3038

Birmingham City Council v MM AND FF (2018) EWFC 94