Allison Munroe King's Counsel has a mixed practice, acting for vulnerable clients, emphasising the protection of their civil liberties. This has included representing bereaved families in the Grenfell Tower Fire Public Inquiry. Allison is an experienced family practitioner, regularly working on cases in the High Court. Alison has represented parents in complex medico-legal matters.

Alison begins her presentation by outlining an example of a hypothetical case involving domestic violence, demonstrating the importance of fact-finding hearings to assess risk and welfare factors and child arrangements. She explains what different types of medical evidence are available in cases like this, and when and how expert evidence can be used. She then goes on to advise on how to challenge expert evidence, and the importance of these challenges. She highlights relevant case law throughout.

Key words/topics

Expert evidence

Fact-finding hearings

Part 25 applications

Re NL (A Child) (Appeal: Interim Care Order: Facts and Reasons) [2014] EWHC 270 (Fam) §40 Pauffley J

Re S (A Child) [2014] EWCC B44, Sir James Munby P

H-W (Care Proceedings: Further Fact-Finding Hearing) [2023] EWCA Civ 149

Treating professionals

Independent medical experts

Children Act 1989

Family Procedure Rules 2010

West Northamptonshire Council v The Mother v Y [2024] EWHC 395.

Devon County Council v EB & Ors ( Minor ) [2013] EWHC 968 (Fam) per Baker J