Fen Greatley-Hirsch

Junior C

2 Jan

Written By Nick Calton, Toucan Creative

Call: 2018

Fen Greatley-Hirsch

LLM Legal Practice (Barristers) – BPP Law School

Adv. LLM Public International Law – Leiden University

LLB Law with French Law – University of Warwick

ADM-ODR International Qualified Civil Commercial Mediator

Baron Dr ver Heyden de Lancey Prize (Middle Temple)

The Queen Mother Scholarship (Middle Temple)

White Rose (WRoCAH) Doctoral Scholarship (Arts and Humanities Research Council)

Fen joined Chambers in December 2020 after completing a common law pupillage under the supervision of Giles Bridge and Paul Smith.

He accepts instructions in family and criminal cases and is available for consultation in conference or written advice.

Fen’s practice is shaped by his experiences in academia and working in client-facing roles with a several national and international charitable organisations, including Citizens Advice Bureau, the Free Representation Unit, and Nightline.

This work put him in regular contact with individuals from all walks of life and particularly vulnerable populations, young people, persons with disabilities and mental health conditions, and non-native English speakers. As a result, Fen understands and responds to a wide range of client needs. He approaches all matters with the utmost commitment to client care and is often praised for taking the time to ensure clients’ questions and concerns are addressed and that they feel fully represented.

Fen’s academic research focuses on issues of mental and legal capacity in criminal law using vulnerability theory. He has served on the editorial board of academic journals, worked as a research assistant for an NGO conducting strategic human rights litigation, and delivered papers at academic conferences around the world. As such, he is is able to build and present complex information and arguments in a clear and accessible way.

Expertise

FAMILY

Fen accepts instructions in private and public Children Act proceedings at all stages, from first hearings to final hearings. A well-rounded practice sees him represent parents, Local Authorities and intervenors alike.

He has a real strength in client care and is often commended for ensuring his clients fully understand the developments in and prospects of their case and leave hearings feeling heard and fully represented.

Fen has gained particular expertise in contested and fact-finding hearings, assisted by a keen eye for detail and a forensic approach honed through criminal practice.

He regularly deals with cases involving allegations of a very serious nature – such as domestic violence, non-accidental injuries, and sexual harm – and does so with sensitivity and tact.

Fen has considerable experience representing vulnerable clients, including young persons, persons with disabilities, those with mental health issues, and those who do not speak English. He welcomes instructions in cases involving non-traditional families and those with international or intercultural elements.

CRIME

Fen both prosecutes and defends at all stages – pre-trial, trial, sentence, and appeal.

He regularly appears in courts across the North Eastern and Northern Circuits in relation to the following types of offences:

- Assaults (up to and including s18);

- Road traffic;

- Public order (affrays);

- Dishonesty (handling stolen goods; burglary; robbery);

- Drugs offences (possession with intent to supply; production);

- Sexual offences (sexual assault; indecent images)

Fen is a member of the CPS General Crime Panel at Grade 2.

For the last couple of years he has been building his Crown Court trial practice and welcomes defence instructions.

He has completed the vulnerable witness training and, particularly given his experience dealing with similar matters in the family courts, is well-equipped to defend in rape, sexual assault and other such sensitive matters.

More generally, Fen’s background in academia has equipped him with the ability to quickly process and familiarise himself with large volumes of documents, as well as to make complex information accessible to a lay audience. It has also given him the research skills to locate useful case law that sometimes makes all the difference.

He has been praised by solicitors, benches and clients themselves for his skilled and sensitive witness handling and an ability to resonate with juries.

Fen builds rapports with clients easily, which quickly allows him to elicit the information needed both to build the strongest case and to address the opposing one effectively.

He has a keen eye for detail and in evidential hearings is particularly adept at witness handling, cross-examining with a forensic approach honed through criminal practice.

Fen has considerable experience representing vulnerable clients, including young persons, persons with disabilities, those with mental health issues, and those who do not speak English.