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Courses/Law/Family Law

Recent Case Law & Reform in Child DoL

Master the complexities of child deprivation of liberty with an in-depth analysis of recent case law, reforms, and strategic best practices.

Created byRebecca Davies
BeginnerUpdated Nov 25, 2025
Recent Case Law & Reform in Child DoL

What You'll Learn

check_circleAnalyze recent case law regarding child DoL.
check_circleIdentify legal foundations and new protocols.
check_circleDistinguish parental consent in DoL cases.
check_circleEvaluate advocacy and litigation strategies.
check_circleExamine challenges in DoL transitions.
check_circleUnderstand best practices for child protection.

About This Course

Delve into the rapidly evolving and critically important field of child deprivation of liberty (DoL) with this comprehensive course, "Recent Case Law & Reform in Child DoL." This session offers a structured, in-depth look at the legal foundations, procedural requirements, and practical considerations for practitioners navigating this challenging area of children's law.

DoL cases involving children have dramatically expanded in volume and complexity, reshaped by pressures on placements, the evolving inherent jurisdiction, and significant appellate decisions. At the same time, courts have heightened expectations around procedure, evidence, proportionality, and the limits of parental and local authority consent.

This course will equip you with a nuanced understanding of:

  • Legal Foundations: Explore the core principles of DoL within the context of children's law, focusing on the impact of cases like Cheshire West and Article 5 of the ECHR.
  • The Revised National Listing Protocol: Understand the complexities of the National DoL List, including its evolution, key requirements for applications, and common pitfalls.
  • Consent, Parental Responsibility, and the Local Authority's Role: Navigate the contentious issues surrounding parental and local authority consent to DoL, examining the implications of landmark decisions such as J (A Child) (2020) and QX (A Child) (2024).
  • Emerging Case Law: Gain insights into recent judicial trends, particularly concerning issues of absconding, the necessity of restrictions, and the complex transition from children's to adult welfare regimes for young people aged 16-17.
  • Placement Shortages: Address the critical shortage of secure accommodation and the resulting reliance on non-secure and unregistered placements, alongside strategies for risk management within these challenging environments.
  • Advocacy and Litigation Strategies: Learn how to effectively formulate necessity and proportionality arguments, identify crucial evidential elements, and understand the vital role of the child's voice in proceedings.
  • Future Outlook and Best Practices: Consider the systemic issues impeding child protection and explore strategic recommendations for practitioners to adapt to evolving judicial trends and adopt robust procedural and evidential habits.

Join us to enhance your expertise in this dynamic and ethically demanding area of legal practice, ensuring you are well-prepared to advocate effectively for children's rights and welfare.

Your Instructor

Rebecca  Davies
Rebecca Davies

Barrister at Field Court Chambers

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Rebecca Davies focuses on family law, including private and public children law proceedings and matrimonial finance, as well as public law and Court of Protection cases. Her caseload typically includes public law family proceedings such as the making and discharge of care and supervision orders, special guardianship orders, placement orders, secure accommodation orders, and adoption orders. She also handles private law family proceedings, including contact and residence matters, cases involving not only parents but wider family members and guardians, prohibited steps orders, specific issue orders, and relocation. In addition, she deals with child abduction proceedings and cases with an international element, contested divorce proceedings, and financial relief proceedings, including contested final hearings, concealment of assets, s.37 transactions, negotiations, and matters involving cross-border assets and liabilities. Her work further includes Court of Protection proceedings and deprivation of liberty cases under the inherent jurisdiction, as well as public law matters involving judicial review, inter-agency procedure, public law duties, and Human Rights Act claims. She appears regularly in cases concerning the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court, matters with an international element, and cases involving serious harm. She also appears in all tiers of the Family Court and the Court of Appeal. Rebecca volunteers her time pro bono as an assisting barrister for Not Beyond Redemption, providing free legal advice and representation for women who are in prison or who have left prison, helping them understand complex legal matters and their rights. In 2025, Rebecca took over the role of wellbeing officer within chambers and is committed to fostering a supportive and healthy environment for all members. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys travel and sports and loves to combine the two.

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