Christopher Styles
Call: 2015
Christopher Styles
University of Oxford
Graduate Diploma in Law (Distinction)
Bar Professional Training Course (Outstanding)
Legal Aid Supplier Number o2EQY
Deputy District Judge
Contact
T: 01274 722 560 or 0113 246 2600
Christopher joined Broadway House Chambers in September 2015. He is a busy junior practitioner, specialising in the field of public family law.
Legal 500- Leading Junior (2025): 'Fearless with an encyclopedic knowledge of the law. Christopher combines an enviable intellect, a forensic approach, and eloquent, persuasive advocacy with an open and approachable manner with both professional and lay clients.'
Legal 500- Leading Junior (2024): ‘Even in the most difficult and complex cases Christopher’s advocacy is calm under pressure- he is an outstanding and persuasive advocate. He has an uncanny ability to think outside the box and find a way forward.’
Legal 500- Leading Junior (2023): ‘Christopher’s strength is his fierce intelligence, and his ability to persuade the tribunal by using that intelligence eloquently and with considered force. Talented…an absolute star in the making.’
Legal 500- Rising Star (2022): ‘He has a meticulous eye for detail, prepares diligently and provides clear, compelling advocacy- one to watch.’
Reputation
Expertise
Christopher is an established family law practitioner, specialising in the representation of parents and children in public law proceedings. He is routinely instructed in cases of gravity- including those involving inflicted injury, sexual abuse, homicide, honour-based violence, cruelty and systematic neglect.
Christopher is an experienced trial advocate and can be relied on to forcefully advocate for clients both in writing and in court. He has a reputation for rigour, with a busy paper practice advising on complex matters of jurisdiction and safeguarding.Christopher understands the unique character of the family jurisdiction. He is trusted by solicitors to advise with both sensitivity and tact.
Notable Cases
A Local Authority (Alleged Honour Based Abuse) [2024] EWFC 177: Representation of a family member in complex proceedings concerning honour-based abuse and its alleged connection to a domestic homicide. Following a ten-day finding of fact hearing the court concluded that the Local Authority had failed to prove any connection between the murder and honour-based abuse (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/HCJ/2024/177.html)
Re NI [2024]: Representation of a Mother accused of killing her husband in the presence of the subject child. Successful proportionality submission and no findings made. Re Y [2023] EWHC 2040: Representation of a child in complex High Court relinquishment proceedings. Guidance given on appropriate procedure and case management (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2023/2040.html) Re U [2023]: Representation of a Ukrainian military officer in a High Court dispute regarding welfare, the ongoing conflict and jurisdiction. Return to Kiev directed. Re B [2023]: Representation of a young woman accused of forcibly branding a baby with a cigarette. Client exonerated following a six-day trial. Re L [2022]: Representation of a deaf mother with profound cognitive limitations making allegations of child abuse. Allegations upheld following a nine-day trial. Re A [2022]: Representation of a sixteen year old alleging a ‘campaign of rape’ by her own Father. All sought findings made. Re R [2021]: Two-week trial representing a parent accused of shaking an eight month old baby. Medical evidence challenged and no identification findings made. Re S [2021]: Representation of a child following threats from a reality TV star to sell case details to News International. Global reporting injunctions imposed. Re M [2021]: Representation of a father accused of murdering his partner, where the subject child acts as witness for the prosecution. Psychological evidence challenged and placement with family approved Re C [2020]: Representation of a parent at an eleven-day finding of fact encompassing the cross-examination of a seven year old child. Client exonerated and rehabilitation ordered. Re F [2020]: Representation of grandparents opposing a plan of adoption. Kinship assessment successfully challenged, with the court making findings of exaggeration and distortion against the allocated social worker.
Clerks
