Introduction

Fen is a barrister with a dynamic practice spanning crime and family law, often described as having insight beyond his level of call.

He specialises in cases where those areas intersect: allegations of serious violence, sexual harm, and domestic abuse, often involving children as victims or perpetrators. More recently, this also includes questions of animal welfare.

Instinctively drawn to issues of social justice and keenly aware of the high stakes and real-life implications of these areas of law, Fen’s practice is informed by a background in academic research and strategic human rights litigation before the ECHR. He has recently been developing a practice in the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Fen is a gifted advocate with a rare combination of strengths in legal research, written argumentation, and public speaking. He combines sharp legal acumen with meticulous case preparation, enabling him to construct arguments with nuance and sophistication; natural charisma and an ability to adapt and respond quickly to changing circumstances and challenges allow him to present and defend them persuasively.

Solicitors appreciate Fen’s high standard of client care, in which he takes great pride. In particular, they value his versatility, patience, and generosity when dealing with clients, taking the time to provide clear guidance and support and ensure that they fully understand developments in their cases and are able to make informed decisions. Drawing on a wealth of experience as an actor and a teacher, Fen is able to tailor his approach to meet the needs of individual clients. As a result, clients routinely report feel heard, advised, and represented.

In particular, Fen is a wise choice of counsel for cases involving children, non-native speakers of English, those with learning difficulties, those with mental health conditions, those who face issues of capacity, and other vulnerable individuals (e.g. by virtue of trauma or lived experience).

Beyond the UK, Fen has lived, worked and studied in France, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA, Australia, and China. Familiarity with these and other jurisdictions and legal traditions often proves useful in cases with an international or cross-border dimension.

Fen welcomes instructions in cases with international elements and novel issues of law.

Crime

Fen has a broad criminal practice, both prosecuting and defending in courts across England and Wales. He accepts instructions at all stages of proceedings, from first appearances to trials and appeals.

He specialises in cases involving allegations of serious violence, domestic abuse, and sexual offences, including those perpetrated against or by children.

Fen is known for the rigorous preparation which underpins his approach to all cases. Solicitors value his strategic input from an early stage, which often pays dividends at trial or avoids the need for a trial at all. He is a strong proponent of early conferences, defence statements, and applications.

Equally, however, Fen is well-equipped to deal with the reality of (late) returns. Through his background in academic research, he developed an ability to quickly process large volumes of information and gain an easy command of the facts and evidence, as well as honing a sharp instinct for identifying the issue(s) at the heart of a case. He also gained the advanced research skills required to locate the kind of useful case law that sometimes makes all the difference, especially at the appellate level.

As a natural conversationalist, Fen builds rapports easily with clients from all walks of life, which allows him to obtain the information needed both to build the strongest case and to dismantle the opposing one effectively. He has been praised by solicitors, members of the judiciary and clients themselves for his skilled and sensitive witness handling and an ability to resonate with juries – including presenting complex and/or expert evidence in a way that is readily accessible to a lay audience.

Fen particularly welcomes instructions in complex and large-scale cases, both as a junior acting alone and as led counsel.

Family

Fen specialises in children law, accepting instructions both in public and private law proceedings.

He acts for parents, Guardians, and local authorities, and has experience of representing children separately from their Guardians.

This includes the full range of applications brought under the Children Act 1989, as well as related matters including inherent jurisdiction and Deprivation of Liberty/Court of Protection matters, and protective Orders under the Family Law Acts.

Previously in chambers in Leeds, he has considerable experience in the ‘pathfinder’ pilot, now being rolled out nationally as the ‘Child Focussed Court’ to replace the ‘Child Arrangements Programme’.

Fen’s expertise lies in dealing with especially serious and sensitive cases including allegations of domestic violence, coercive or controlling behaviour, non-accidental injury to children, and sexual abuse — often arising in complex familial or evidential circumstances. His experience extends to abduction, forced marriage, surrogacy, and wardship cases.

He is regularly instructed in fact-finding hearings with finely-balanced issues and voluminous (expert) evidence. Known for his calm, methodical, and rigorous approach to case preparation, Fen brings structure and clarity to the most sprawling, chaotic, and emotionally-charged cases,

At trial, Fen combines an instinct for the (welfare) issue(s) at the heart of the case with the witness-handling skills of a criminal practitioner, resulting in a razor-focussed, forensic, and ofen devastating cross-examination, followed by succinct but powerful submissions.

Fen particularly welcomes instructions in cases involving non-traditional family structures and those with international and/or intercultural dimensions.

Education and Training

BPP University Law School - LLM Legal Practice (Barristers)

Universiteit Leiden - Advanced LLM Public International Law

Ludwig-Maximilians Universität - Munich Advanced Course in International Law

University of Warwick - LLB Law with French Law

Université Paris Descartes - Études en droit français

Resolution Family Law accredited family mediator

ADR-ODR International accredited civil-commercial mediator

Advocacy and the Vulnerable witness training

Appointments

CPS General Crime Panel - Grade 3

CPS Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Panel

Awards & Prizes

The Queen Mother Scholarship, Blackstone Entrance Exhibition -- Honourable Society of the Middle Temple

Baron Dr ver Heyden de Lancey Prize -- Honourable Society of the Middle Temple

White Rose (WRoCAH) Doctoral Scholarship -- Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

Advocacy Award -- European Society of International Law (ESIL)

Generation UK-China Scholarship -- British Council

Direct Access

Fen understands that court proceedings can be an extremely confusing and stressful experience, often coming at particularly challenging times in the lives of those involved. At the same time, many people do not qualify for legal aid and struggle to afford legal representation.

Fen has been direct-acess qualified since 2022, meaning he is able to accept instructions from members of the public without the need to go through a solicitor.

He is able to demystify the process and offer support and reassurance, and give clear and reasoned advice (in writing and in conference), and provide representation at court hearings. Having completed an extension to his practising certificate, he is also able to go a step further and assist with conducting litigation, such as drafting witness statements and other documents, compiling court bundles, and communicating with courts and other parties.

Some of the benefits of direct access include:

• Considerable savings on legal fees

• Bespoke service - clients decide what work counsel does and what they do themselves

• Straighforward, streamlined process with a singular point of contact for all legal services

The direct access model is not suitable for all cases or clients. Fen is happy to review case papers and, if necessary, hold an initial consultation with prospective clients in order to discuss whether or not to move forward with instructions.

Languages

Fen speaks French, German, Spanish, and Mandarin.