Elizabeth Isaacs QC MCIArb

Overview

Elizabeth is the Head of St Ives Chambers, a specialist child law silk and sits as a Family Division Deputy High Court Judge.  She has an established national reputation for a compassionate, pragmatic and strategic approach, excellent advocacy and forensic preparation in complex public law cases.  Elizabeth has substantial expertise in acting for all parties in complex care, adoption and wardship proceedings and has a detailed knowledge of the legal and social care issues relating to local authority planning and decision making for children.

Recommendations

Chambers & Partners 2022: “Elizabeth’s technical knowledge is brilliant and she is also excellent and grounded in her relationships with the client.” “Elizabeth has an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the law. It’s astounding and impressive and she’s a pleasure to watch in action.”

Legal 500 2022: “She is clever creative and very hard working. Her written work reflects this and her advocacy is thorough and persuasive. Many expect her to be on the high court bench soon. I agree with them.”

Chambers and Partners 2021:  “She is creative, strategic and collaborative in her approach. A QC of choice for cases which challenge the law or raise novel issues in the area of LGBT family law and fertility law.”

Legal 500 2021: “Her preparation of every case is meticulous and impressive, her advice is robust and straightforward, and she stands up for her clients.”

Chambers & Partners 2020: “She has an excellent in-depth knowledge of the law and social work practice, and tenaciously fights her client’s corner in a firm and balanced manner. She’s also extremely personable and a great team player.” “She’s a phenomenal individual who mastered the issues very quickly.”

Legal 500 2019: “An enormously effective trial advocate.”

Chambers & Partners 2019: “She fights the client’s corner in a firm and balanced manner. She is also extremely personable and a great team player.” “She has an excellent grasp of the law and is also a brilliant strategist.”

Legal 500 2018: “Exceptionally clever; a strategic thinker who is willing to push the boundaries in her approach to cases.”

Chambers & Partners 2018: “A joy to work with. She is incredibly collaborative and gets the best out of the whole team. She is massively bright and has an ability to think outside of the box.” “She has a superb work ethic and retains her balance, judgement and humour in stressful situations.”

Legal 500 2017: “A Titan in children’s work.”

Legal 500 2016: “She radiates creative energy and has one of the quickest minds in the business.”

Legal 500 2016: “Her expertise in care work includes complex cases involving child fatalities, serious injuries and sexual abuse.”

Chambers & Partners 2016: “She would always be my first choice – an excellent advocate. She is very well prepared, has very good client care skills and is very approachable. She is bright and passionate about what she does. I would go to her with any family matter that needed silk.” “I would single her out as a really strong, feisty advocate who is incredibly thorough in her preparation and extremely effective.”

Chambers & Partners 2015: “Continues to be regarded as a go-to barrister for complex children matters involving death and serious injury. She has a keen interest in the academic side of litigation and is a thorough and versatile advocate.”

Legal 500 2014: “Approachable and a pleasure to deal with.”

Chambers & Partners 2014: “A child law expert in care proceedings as well as child abduction and forced marriages…and she is well versed in dealing with cases concerning learning disabilities. A competent lawyer who handles her clients very well and provides sensible advice.”

Legal 500 2013: New silk Elizabeth Isaacs QC is “a brilliant barrister.”

Chambers & Partners 2013: “A former social worker, she is valued for the unique perspective that her previous job affords her. Those that use her do so as “she is very personable and has very good judgement.”

Legal 500 2012: Elizabeth Isaacs “fights her corner with determination.”

Chambers & Partners 2012: “Personable, sensible, and highly knowledgeable,” she is “excellent with clients” and “fights their corner doggedly.” As a former social worker, she brings to the table invaluable added insight into the workings of the care system.

Legal 500 2011: “Superb”