Clare Bishop

Specialist in:

Re E [2023] Clare successfully argued against a relocation to Australia which would sever the relationship between the child and the father, despite the father only having sporadic contact with the child prior to the application.

Re B [2023] Clare represented the respondent mother in a highly charged parental conflict case where the father had retained the younger child and refused all contact between the mother and her older siblings due to apparent welfare concerns. A 16.4 Guardian was appointed due to the level of parental acrimony. Clare successfully argued for the child to be returned to the mother’s care with only limited contact with the father.

In LA v KA [2024] EWHC 2258 (Fam) Clare represented the applicant Father appealing on child arrangements. This was a difficult judgment as, in the words of the judge, the ‘parents are at daggers drawn’. A pragmatic way forwards was made through holding orders allowing 2 weeks’ Summer holidays contact for the Father and alternative Fridays to Tuesdays during term times. The judge also dealt with handover arrangements, given disagreements on where this should be. This issues will be further addressed at the final hearing.

Re P [2024] Clare represented the mother in care proceedings for a 2 week old baby where she successfully persuaded the court not to make an ICO but to seek further enquiries from the Local Authority due to the deficiencies in their care plan. This included challenging the Local Authority as to why they had sought to issue care proceedings, when there were no concerns about the mother prior to the birth.

Re L [2023] Clare acted for the applicant husband in financial remedy proceedings where there were very limited assets. A complicating feature was that the applicant husband had been previously married and although they were legally divorced most of the martial assets remained in the first wife’s name. There had never been any financial remedy proceedings in relation to the first wife. Clare successfully argued for a proportionate approach to be taken, given the very limited assets, and resisted the former wife being joined to these proceedings.

Re M [2023] Clare acted for the respondent mother in a case brought under the Hague Convention for the child to return to France. Clare successfully argued that the case should not have been brought under the Hague Convention and due to the delay in bringing the proceedings the father had consented to the move. The father’s application was dismissed.

LA v KA [2024] EWHC 2258 (Fam) Clare represented the applicant Father appealing on child arrangements. This was a difficult judgment as, in the words of the judge, the ‘parents are at daggers drawn’. A pragmatic way forwards was made through holding orders allowing 2 weeks’ Summer holidays contact for the Father and alternative Fridays to Tuesdays during term times. The judge also dealt with handover arrangements, given disagreements on where this should be. This issues will be further addressed at the final hearing.

Re P [2024] Clare represented the mother in care proceedings for a 2 week old baby where she successfully persuaded the court not to make an ICO but to seek further enquiries from the Local Authority due to the deficiencies in their care plan. This included challenging the Local Authority as to why they had sought to issue care proceedings, when there were no concerns about the mother prior to the birth.

Re M [2023] Clare acted for the respondent mother in a case brought under the Hague Convention for the child to return to France. Clare successfully argued that the case should not have been brought under the Hague Convention and due to the delay in bringing the proceedings the father had consented to the move. The father’s application was dismissed.

Re L [2023] Clare acted for the applicant husband in financial remedy proceedings where there were very limited assets. A complicating feature was that the applicant husband had been previously married and although they were legally divorced most of the martial assets remained in the first wife’s name. There had never been any financial remedy proceedings in relation to the first wife. Clare successfully argued for a proportionate approach to be taken, given the very limited assets, and resisted the former wife being joined to these proceedings.

Re E [2023] Clare successfully argued against a relocation to Australia which would sever the relationship between the child and the father, despite the father only having sporadic contact with the child prior to the application.

Re B [2023] Clare represented the respondent mother in a highly charged parental conflict case where the father had retained the younger child and refused all contact between the mother and her older siblings due to apparent welfare concerns. A 16.4 Guardian was appointed due to the level of parental acrimony. Clare successfully argued for the child to be returned to the mother’s care with only limited contact with the father.

Awards

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Family Law Young Barrister of the Year Finalist

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Pro Bono Recognition List

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Shortlisted Pro Bono Barrister of the Year

Testimonials

'I've instructed Clare on a number of my private family law matters recently both in children act and financial remedy proceedings. She is a fantastic barrister who is very knowledgeable. Her detailed notes following the hearing with her comprehensive advice really help to progress cases forward. She has helped my clients achieve the best possible outcome at court. She is an absolute credit to FOURTEEN. I will definitely be instructing her again'

'Clare has a commitment to social justice and is highly recommended for her pro bono work in International Family Child cases. It has been a pleasure to work with Clare on the case of H where she represented a parent in a PSO to prevent removal of the child abroad. Her empathy and management with our applicants’ has been exceptional in particular on the case of A where our they were seeking permission to take her child out of the jurisdiction. Clare provided comprehensive and helpful advice on travel to a non-Hague country.' Senior Caseworker, Advocate.

Scholarships & Awards

2017 The Bacon Award, Grays Inn (full scholarship to complete the BPTC)
2015 Treasurer’s Scholarship, Grays Inn, for excellence in the Inn, as Clare was a co-director for the Vocalise debating programme
2013 Anthony Bessemer Clark Award, Gray’s Inn (career changer’s scholarship for the GDL)

Education

BA Scriptwriting for Television and Film
MA Advanced Theatre Practice, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
BSc Psychology (First)
Graduate Dipolma in Law (Commendation)
BPTC (Very Competent), City University
LLM (Distinction) University College London

Memberships

The Honourable Society of Grays Inn
Family Law Bar Association

Data Protection

Clare Bishop's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) registration number is ZB543480.
Please see here for her Data Privacy Notice.