Katherine Dunseath

Call 2008
Email katherine.dunseath@3pb.co.uk
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Family

Katherine is a family law specialist. Her practice encompasses public and private children and matrimonial finances. She is approachable and friendly but also willing to go the extra mile for her client.

A particular interest is in international law having been selected for a blue book stage at the European Commission and having represented clients in a number of international law disputes.

She has appeared in both the High Court and Court of Appeal in cases concerning leave to remove from the jurisdiction and recently appealed on a novel point concerning the timeframe post separation before being able to rely on depression as a reason to be granted leave to remove. Other cases of note include child abduction and Hague Convention proceedings involving members of the British army.

She has a thriving private law practice and has represented clients in cases involving sexual abuse and allegations of incest. Her practice also incorporates applications for special guardianship and residence orders.

She regularly appears in the county courts in care cases on a range of issues including non accidental injuries representing parents, local authorities or children's guardians on applications for EPOs, ICOs and at final hearings.

She has a background understanding of advanced medical negligence issues having studied it during her LLM at UCL and uses this to her advantage when cross-examining experts.

Her matrimonial finance practice continues to flourish and she undertakes all areas of matrimonial law and regularly advises on this. Katherine has represented a range of clients including in civil partnership cases from FDA through to final hearings.

Prior to pupillage she was a judicial assistant to Lord Justice Mummery in the Court of Appel assisting on chancery matters which has further enhanced her knowledge when dealing with financial cases.

Private

• Leave to remove from the jurisdiction

Cases of note: appealing on a novel point on the timeframe required before being able to argue that mother will be depressed by remaining in the country

•  International child abduction

Cases of note: successfully represented father in application under the Hague Convention.

• Trials concerning allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct

Cases of note:

(1) Successfully represented mother on 4 day fact finding hearing where father accused of inappropriate sexual conduct.

(2) Successfully represented mother in 3 day trial where she was accused of incest.

• Trials concerning allegations of domestic violence
• Residence applications
• Special Guardianship applications
• Contact

Public

• Care proceedings for both the LA and Respondents involving non accidental injuries, post adoption contact 
• ICOs

Cases of note:

(1) Successfully represented father in 3 week non-accidental injuries final hearing.
(2) Successfully represented grandparents of child where LA failed to fully investigate cause of injuries via expert paediatric reports.

Ancillary Relief

• Advised on apportionment of assets generally, including non-matrimonial assets, post accrual of assets and liability for child maintenance in civil partnerships prior to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act amendments.
• Represented clients at FDAs, FDRs and Final Hearings under the Civil Partnership Act and Matrimonial Causes Act.