Chris qualified as a Solicitor in 1990. He is a Specialist and highly sought-after Family Lawyer. His main areas of practice are Public Law Proceedings, Private Law, Divorce and financial matters.
Chris was previously a Director in a busy Gateshead-based Law Firm before joining Meikles Solicitors.
Care Proceedings:
Chris regularly provides representation to his clients from Public Law Outline Meetings, all the way to their final hearings. Over his years of practice, Chris has built a reputation as a formidable and measured advocate amongst. He is highly regarded and long been seen as the “go to” Lawyer for the most Complex and/or Serious cases involving Children. Chris has experience in intervention in PLO matters that have led to Social Services being able to avoid issuing proceedings against his client. Chris has also acted in matters where adoption was sought by the Local Authority and such was his expertise, this was successfully avoided for his clients.
Private Children Matters:
Chris has decades of expertise in dealing with matters affecting children within the breakdown of relationships. Chris is known for his often robust but pragmatic and constructive approach to finding the best outcome for his clients. Chris appreciates that certain matters can be very important to parents and that where agreement cannot be reached, an Order from the Court may often be required.
Ancillary Relief:
Such is Chris’ reputation for his handling in Divorce matters, he is regularly instructed in high-value financial proceedings and often in the most complex of financial circumstances. Chris’ attention to detail and protective stance for his clients, allows him to ensure that his client’s best case is put forward and in the strongest possible terms. Such is Chris’ level of expertise, he has been instructed by other Solicitors to represent them in these matters.
Notable Cases:
Re B – Acting for Parent in Care proceedings involving catastrophic injuries sustained to an infant resulting in their death.
Re C – Acting for Parent in Care proceedings involving the suspected murder of a child. Case involved extensive medical evidence and cross-examination of leading medical experts.
Re D – Acting for Parent in Care proceedings involving allegations of sexual abuse of multiple children.
Re C – Acting for Parent in Care proceedings involving serious non-accidental injury.
Re C – Acting for Parent in Care proceedings involving allegations of kidnapping.
D v R – Acting for Parent in Private Children Proceedings. Chris succeeded in his client’s case for custody of their child despite multiple false allegations of child abuse being made by the other party in the case.
R v P – Acting for Parent in Private Children Proceedings. Chris succeeded in his client’s case for contact with their child. Chris was able to secure contact despite the other party’s desire of no contact whatsoever.
C v B – Acting for husband in Ancillary Relief Matters. Chris succeeded in securing the best financial outcome for his client despite a protracted and complex matter involving dozens of financial assets.
Qualifications:
Chris is a Senior Solicitor and a Member of the Law Society Children Panel. He is also a Resolution accredited specialist.
