Clare Bishop

Clare joined chambers as a tenant in October 2023 following the successful completion of pupillage under the supervision of Michael Glaser KC, Robin Powell, and Ben Boucher-Giles. During pupillage, Clare trained in all aspects of family law including complex financial remedy proceedings, private law children (including international cases), and public law children cases (including non-accidental injury, domestic and sexual abuse and neglect).

Clare practices across all areas of family law. She has a particular interest in international children cases, including relocation, and public and private law children cases.

Clare undertakes hearing at all levels of the Family Court including in the High Court in international cases. Clare has acted for both applicants and respondents in cases brought under the Hague Convention as well as experience with child abduction cases to non-Hague countries. Clare has meticulous attention to detail and brings a practical and empathetic approach to her cases.

Clare is regularly instructed in private law children cases which has included representing clients where there are allegations of parental alienation and of domestic and sexual abuse. Clare has also represented parents in public law proceedings in cases involving domestic abuse, substance and alcohol misuse and chronic neglect. Clare has excellent client care skills and regularly deals with cases involving highly vulnerable parties and complex issues. Clare will always go the extra mile to ensure that vulnerable clients understand the legal process, and that their expectations are managed appropriately.

Clare is passionate about pro-bono work and regularly works with Advocate (the Bar Pro Bono Unit) in supporting vulnerable individuals to navigate the legal process, to ensure they are fully informed of the legal position and their available options. In February 2024, Clare was nominated for a Bar Pro Bono Award for her involvement in several complex international cases for Advocate, despite being only three months into her post-pupillage practice. During her legal studies, Clare volunteered with Victim Support and Witness Service for five years and supported victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and rape.

Prior to commencing pupillage, Clare worked in the civil service for 15 years, working primarily on national security litigation for the Ministry of Defence. Her work included dealing with public law legal challenges, including aspects of international human rights law, liaising with foreign governments and national security policy. She has also worked as a paralegal for the Official Solicitor, a senior immigration caseworker in the Government Legal Department, and a senior financial sanctions adviser for HM Treasury.

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.

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.

Awards

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Notable Cases

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 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 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.

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

Publications

  • Legal Professionals’ Knowledge and Experience of Autistic Adults in the Family Justice System Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law (March 2018)

  • National Security Law, Procedure, and Practice (March 2021)

    • 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.