Public Law Children

Liz’s personal experiences enable her to offer practical, realistic and robust advice with confidence.

Notable Cases

M & L (Children) (2007) EWCA Civ 1307 – Acted for the Mother in Care proceedings where findings were sought that stepfather had sexually abused her daughter and physically and sexually abused the mother also. The issue on appeal was if the Judge had erred in considering the allegations of abuse by the father upon the mother when determining any “lingering doubts” he had in respect of the stepdaughter’s evidence. The appeal was dismissed.

Re T ( Children) [2012]UKSC 36 – Appeared on behalf of the local authority in the first instance decision where the Judge refused the costs of the interveners when no findings were made against them and they were exonerated. The Judge noted the local authority had acted reasonably in bringing the proceedings and joining the party as interveners. The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal by the interveners and awarded costs against the local authority. Permission to appeal to Supreme Court was on basis the order for costs remained. The Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeal decision. The Supreme Court concluded that the general principle of not awarding costs against a party in care proceedings, including a local authority, in the absence of reprehensible behaviour or unreasonable stance, is one that accords with the ends of justice and should not be subject to an exception in cases of split hearings.

Liz was part of a committee of professionals in Hull who devised the guidelines for the “expectations for CAFCASS/ Solicitors working together” in 2012.

Chambers & Partners 2025 - "Liz has a great ability with clients. She is also a thorough and formidable advocate."

Legal 500 2025 - Leading Junior

Chambers & Partners 2024 - 'an established expert on children matters, specialising in complicated care proceedings.'

Legal 500 2023 - ‘Elizabeth is an impressive advocate who pursues her case with diligence and persistence, whilst always remaining calm and courteous. She is unfailingly approachable and professional.'

Legal 500 2022 - ‘A barrister who can be relied upon totally. She is tenacious in pursuing clients' rights and will not shirk from giving difficult to hear advice. She is exceptionally skilled in communicating and working with vulnerable clients.’

Chambers & Partners 2022 - Senior junior who is an established expert on children matters, specialising in complicated care proceedings. She offers expertise in both private and public law, regularly for children, parents, guardians and local authorities in cases involving such allegations as negligence, sexual and physical abuse.

Strengths "She is incredibly thorough and very approachable, and clients respond to her intuitive but no-nonsense advice." "She has gone over and above." "Elizabeth is very able and experienced."

Chambers & Partners 2021 - "She is incredibly thorough and very approachable, and clients respond to her intuitive but no-nonsense advice." "She has gone over and above." "Elizabeth is very able and experienced."

Legal 500 2021 - "Miss Shaw is an outstanding lawyer and advocate, she is robust yet sensitive in her approach, down to earth and extremely experienced having undertaken and conducted the most complex cases in this particular field over many years. Miss Shaw is particularly gifted in dealing with clients who may have particular mental health needs, behavioural problems and/or communication difficulties, particularly those who may have autism."

Chambers and Partners 2020- “An excellent and powerful advocate who is as effective in court as she is sitting in a waiting room supporting a client in the midst of making an impossible decision." "She will find points to turn a case and advocates particularly well."

Legal 500 2020 - 'Unreserved in her commitment to every case on which she is instructed.’

Deputy District Judge

Lecturer at BPP University, teaching on the Bar Professional Training Course

Family Law Bar Association

North Eastern Circuit