Junior A Nick Calton, Toucan Creative Junior A Nick Calton, Toucan Creative

Guy Swiffen

Call: 1991


Guy Swiffen

BA (Hons) History, Reading University

L.Dip. City University, London

Legal 500

Chambers and Partners

 

Guy has been at the Bar since 1991 and has practised exclusively in the field of children law for over 20 years. He began his career in London and then moved to the North of England in the late 1990s. Since then he has forged a heavyweight practice which takes him to all parts of the North of England dealing with many of the most complex cases being heard in the region. His reputation is very high amongst both his peers and the Judiciary, and he is recognised in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 year on year.

He has been described as a “bright and stunningly good junior.” He is known to be an incisively devastating cross examiner. Over the years his practise has taken him to developing the forensic skills to challenge the analyses and opinions of medical experts in the witness box. Complimenting his forensic skills is an excellent knowledge of the legislation and case law. He is happy to operate at all court levels: he has had the experience of taking a case all the way to the House of Lords. He prides himself on having a friendly and approachable relationship with clients and solicitors alike.

He often acts against Silks as a leading Junior (leading both Junior Counsel and solicitors).


Clerks


Read More
Junior A Nick Calton, Toucan Creative Junior A Nick Calton, Toucan Creative

Zira Hussain

Call: 1998


Zira Hussain

LLB (Hons ) Law

Legal Aid Supplier Number 305RU

 

Zira has practised exclusively in family law for over 20 years and has extensive court experience.  Her areas of practice are private and public law children, financial remedies, domestic abuse, forced marriage and honour based violence.

Zira is a fearless, tenacious, conscientious and hardworking barrister.  She is known as a fighter and is a strong advocate.  She is renowned  for her thorough preparation and detailed knowledge of case papers.  She combines strong client care skills with robust and effective advocacy.  Zira has a reputation for always going the extra mile. 


Clerks


Read More
Junior A Nick Calton, Toucan Creative Junior A Nick Calton, Toucan Creative

Helen Williams

Call: 2000


Helen Williams

LLB Hons

Inner Temple

Legal Aid Supplier Number 547EL

 

Helen is a specialist in both public law and private children law. Helen is known for being ‘down to earth’ and ‘pragmatic’ and is highly sought after by local solicitors.


Clerks


Read More
Junior A Nick Calton, Toucan Creative Junior A Nick Calton, Toucan Creative

Semaab Shaikh

Call: 2002


Semaab Shaikh

LL.B (Hons), University of Birmingham (1999)

LL.M, Comparative, European & Public Law,
University of Birmingham (2000)

Lincoln’s Inn

Legal Aid Supplier Number 835PA

 

Semaab Shaikh was called to the Bar in 2002 (Lincolns Inn) and completed her pupillage at Cloisters in London. Prior to coming to the Bar she was employed as a legal adviser and support worker for a domestic violence organisation in the North of England.

She practises in the area of Family Law.  Semaab is a highly-rated barrister who since 2010 has been regularly recommended by the Legal 500 for her specialist knowledge and ability to represent clients in the most difficult situations. As an experienced family law barrister she specialises in all aspects of private and public children law; radicalisation cases; domestic abuse; removal from the jurisdiction; international child abduction, forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Semaab appears on behalf of parents, local authorities and children. She has been involved in high profile cases that have attracted local and national media interest. She has a strong interest in the area of forced marriage and cases with an international element.

In addition to her practice, Semaab provides training on children law, domestic abuse, deprivation of liberty, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, the interplay between family law and immigration law and related areas. In November 2018 she provided training on gender based violence as part of the Hong Kong Justice Centre’s annual symposium held at the University of Hong Kong.

From 2008 to 2014 Semaab was appointed to the Bar Council’s Equality and Diversity Committee. In 2018 she was invited to sit on the Advisory Board of the School of Law of the University of Bradford.

Other languages:
Urdu


Clerks


Read More
Junior B Nick Calton, Toucan Creative Junior B Nick Calton, Toucan Creative

Sharn Samra

Call: 2002


Sharn Samra

LL.B. (Hons)(London School of Economics), 2:1

Bar Vocational Course (2002), Very Competent

Member of Lincoln’s Inn

Recorder of the Family Court (North Eastern Circuit)

Recorder of the Financial Remedies Court (North Eastern Circuit)

Deputy District Judge (Civil and Private Children: North Eastern Circuit)

Member of FLBA

Legal Aid Supplier Number 162YG

 

Sharn is a family law specialist and has developed a strong reputation across all areas of her practise during 20 years at the Bar. She is a formidable advocate who is known for both her meticulous case preparation and personable manner.


Clerks


Read More
Junior B Nick Calton, Toucan Creative Junior B Nick Calton, Toucan Creative

Rachel Mellor

Call: 2004


Rachel Mellor

LL.B (Hons)

LL.M, Human Rights Law

Lincoln’s Inn

Attorney General’s Regional Panel A

Recorder

Fee-paid Employment Judge

Chambers & Partners

Legal Aid Supplier Number 181HG

 

Rachel Mellor is an integral part of Broadway House Chambers’ Employment Law and Family Law Teams. Formerly a freelance advocate on the Midland and Western Circuits, she is a respected barrister who is a popular choice in cases involving complex areas of law.


Clerks


Read More
Junior B Nick Calton, Toucan Creative Junior B Nick Calton, Toucan Creative

Kiran Dhillon

Call: 2005


Kiran Dhillon

LL.B (Hons), King’s College, London (2004)

LL.M University College, London (2006)

Neville Laski Scholarship, Inner Temple (2006)

Inner Temple

Legal Aid Supplier Number 217XJ

 

Kiran Dhillon previously practised in London and joined chambers in 2012. Since then, she has built up a strong practice in the following areas: Family and Civil law.


Clerks


Read More
Junior B Nick Calton, Toucan Creative Junior B Nick Calton, Toucan Creative

Emily Ward

Call: 2011 - Deputy Head of the Family LawTeam


Emily Ward

LL.B (Hons) University of Manchester (2010, First Class) (six prizes)

Bar Professional Training Course (2011)

Middle Temple, Godfrey Heilpern Scholar

Deputy District Judge (2019) - Civil, Public & Private Children, and Financial Remedies

Arbitrator

Farquhar Committee Member

Transparency Implementation Group Member

Resolution FLBA

Secretary of Regional FLBA (Yorkshire & Humber)

Women in Law

International Association of Women Judges

 

Emily is Deputy Head of the Family Team and has a strong, busy practice both on and off the North Eastern Circuit. She is a particularly sought after in matrimonial finance and cohabitation disputes, as well as complex children cases. Emily is consistently recognised as a leading junior in family law in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. She has a keen eye for detail and quickly grasps the key issues in the case.

Emily is also a member of Broadway House Chambers’ Business, Property & Probate Team, and acts in cases where there is a cross-over in jurisdictions and issues.

Emily was appointed as a Deputy District Judge in 2019, at the age of 30, and she holds children (public and private law), civil and financial remedy tickets.

Keen on all forms of alternative dispute resolution, Emily is instructed to act for clients at round table meetings, mediations, private FDRs and early neutral evaluations, as well as arbitrations. She also acts as a Private FDR practitioner/evaluator in financial remedy, Schedule 1 and TOLATA cases, offering her assistance from an neutral perspective with the aim of assisting parties to reach a swift resolution to their disputes.

Emily frequently delivers CPD accredited seminars to groups of lawyers, and is regularly approached to conduct bespoke training in her areas of expertise. She is published in the Family Law Journal, is a case reviewer for Nagalro, Seen & Heard Journal, and has recently taken up the position of Blog Editor of the Financial Remedies Journal. Emily is a published author, being responsible for chapters in both ‘Cohabitation: Law, Practice and Precedents’ and ‘Butterworths Family Law Service’.

Able to accept instructions under the Direct Access scheme, Emily can also provide advice and representation direct to the public.


Clerks


Read More
Junior B Nick Calton, Toucan Creative Junior B Nick Calton, Toucan Creative

Kerry Barker

Call: 2013 (Solicitor 2003)


Kerry Barker

B.A. (Hons), Law & Business (1998)

Admitted as a Solicitor (2003)

Lincoln’s Inn

Legal Aid Supplier Number 02CXW

 

Kerry Barker is a barrister who specialises in Family Law. Having previously qualified as a solicitor in 2003, Kerry practices exclusively in this area and represents clients in private law, public law and financial remedy matters. As a solicitor Kerry was a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel and also held her higher court advocacy rights; recognising her position as an experienced solicitor-advocate.

Since Kerry joined Broadway House Chambers’ highly-rated Family Law Team in March 2013 she has developed a busy practice exclusively in family law. As a family law specialist for over 15 years Kerry has built up extensive knowledge in all areas of family law.

Kerry is well known for providing clients with realistic and sensible advice at all stages of proceedings and for conducting hearings in a measured manner. Kerry’s friendly and approachable manner make her a popular choice for vulnerable clients.

“You are a star Kerry.  Your thoroughness and attention to detail is appreciated.”
(Bradford Solicitor)

Kerry has considerable experience of cases involving different cultures, which often require an interpreter.

Kerry is able to accept instructions under the Direct Access Scheme.


Clerks


Read More
Junior B Nick Calton, Toucan Creative Junior B Nick Calton, Toucan Creative

Susan Sanders

Call: 2015


Susan Sanders

MA (Hons), University of Edinburgh, Persian and Social Anthropology (1999)

Graduate Diploma in Law (2014, Distinction)

Bar Professional Training Course (2015, Outstanding)

Middle Temple

Queen Mother Scholar (2014)

Family Law Mediator

Legal Aid Supplier Number 02ENW

 

Susan joined Broadway House in September 2016 after successfully completing a mixed pupillage.

She practises family and immigration law and has a particular interest and expertise in the overlap between these two areas. She is qualified to undertake work on a direct access basis.

Susan has an insightful approach and is regularly instructed to represent those who require sensitive and considerate client-care.

Before coming to the Bar Susan worked for human rights organisations and campaigned and carried out research in Afghanistan for Amnesty International. Susan speaks French and Farsi.

Susan is a family mediator and is available to mediate in cases involving child arrangements disputes and financial issues after separation.


Clerks


Read More
Junior B Nick Calton, Toucan Creative Junior B Nick Calton, Toucan Creative

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

 

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.’


Clerks


Read More
Junior C Nick Calton, Toucan Creative Junior C Nick Calton, Toucan Creative

Fen Greatley-Hirsch

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.


Clerks


Read More