Chris qualified as a solicitor in 1997. Chris began his legal career in criminal defence and specialised in defending children and young people.
In 2002 he joined the Howard League for Penal Reform to set up a legal service to children and young people in prison including a free legal advice line to children in custody. Chris’s work included a series of judicial review challenges around children’s rights in the care system, treatment in prison and securing the first article 2 Human Rights Act inquiry into the treatment of a child in prison.
In 2013, Chris returned to private practice working in public, housing, age assessments and community care law with a specialist interest around the rights of children and young people. Chris assisted clients who were victims of criminal and sexual exploitation, including “county lines”. Chris developed his practice seeking compensation against local authorities for failure to remove children from harm or where they suffered neglect while in care.
Chris has represented families in inquests relating to children and young people who had taken their lives while in the care of mental health services.
Chris has spoken at conferences and seminars to advocates, youth justice workers and lawyers to enable children to have access to justice and improve their lives.
Outside of work Chris enjoys swimming, cycling and running, boxing training and walking his fluffy dog!