Stephen Abberley Dec 24 scaled e1733415313924

Stephen Abberley

Year of Call: 2000
Email Address: [email protected]
Telephone: 0121 289 4333

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Clerk Details

Family

Private Law Proceedings

Appreciating that parents, in many cases, are going to have to co-parent for years to come, I will use my experience, insight and intuition to bridge apparently unbridgeable gaps and bring about child focused resolutions for those whose disputes appear unreconcilable.  I am adept at negotiating with parties acting in person, avoiding unnecessary conflict where possible.  If, however, it is necessary for matters to be fought in court, I am a fearless advocate, an incisive cross-examiner, with experience of appearing against leading counsel on many occasions. Whether the issues involve domestic abuse, coercive conduct, parental alienation, sexual misconduct towards adults or children, or other behaviours that might impede a child’s relationship with an adult, I will use by forensic skills to present an accurate picture to the court.

I undertake work in private law proceedings on a private fee basis, with a pre-court conference being a requirement for me to accept instructions.

Public Law Proceedings

I have appeared in care and placement proceedings, adoption proceedings and other related litigation in the Family Court before all levels of the judiciary, including frequent appearances before the High Court Bench.

I have acted alone and as a leader against KCs on a frequent basis, for parents, local authorities and children.

My cases routinely involve serious, sometimes fatal injuries to children, homicide, head and brain injuries, alleged fabricated and induced illness, poisoning, complex medical issues (osteogenesis imperfecta, chromosomal and genetic disorders), sexual abuse (often intra-familial) and domestic abuse.  I routinely cross-examine medical experts, including brain surgeons, paediatricians, radiologists and geneticists and have developed a store of knowledge on complex medical issues.

I have acted for older, self-instructing children on many occasions and pride myself on building good relations with the young people I represent.

I have appeared in the Court of Appeal on numerous occasions, for the appellant, the respondent, for parents, local authorities and for children.

I have a wealth of experience in matters involving the Inherent Jurisdiction and inter-country issues.

I have developed considerable knowledge and experience in dealing with non-agency adoptions, for foster carers, relatives and stepparents.

 

  • Recommendations

    • Stephen Abberley is respected for his undertaking of public and private children law work in particular. He represents parents, children and authorities, advising them on care, placement and adoption proceedings as well as factitious illness, sexual abuse, inflicted injuries and non-accidental injuries.
      Strengths: "He is tireless in his pursuit of his client's goals." "He is a very strong advocate who is very experience and well respected."
      Chambers UK 2025/Family/Children/Midlands Bar/Band 1

      ‘Stephen is a first-rate junior and rivals his silk colleagues in his case analysis, paperwork and cross-examination. His case preparation and analysis is second to none. He is a first choice for complex children matters, particularly when physical abuse is an issue.’
      Legal 500 2025/Family: Children and Domestic Violence/Leading Juniors/Midlands

      Strengths: “Excellent advocate. Stephen has an innate ability to get to grips with a case eloquently and that helps to steer the case in the right direction from the outset.”
      “A class act. He is extremely thorough in preparation and has a clear grasp of the key issues in every case. He is a confident and firm advocate.”
      Chambers UK 2024/Family/Children/Midlands Bar/Band 1

      Stephen is very knowledgeable on the medical side. He is robust and willing to challenge experts and court decisions alike.’
      Legal 500 2024/Family: Children and Domestic Violence/Leading Juniors/Midlands

      Strengths: “He is an exceptional and thorough advocate.”
      “He is committed, reliable and has extensive knowledge.”
      “Stephen is an outstanding advocate with brilliant bedside manner.”
      “Stephen is talented, innovative and perceptive during the course of any case.”
      Chambers UK 2023/Family/Children/Midlands Bar

      ‘Stephen has the ability to analyse a case quickly and effectively. His cross-examination is forensic and incisive. He is always helpful and goes the extra mile in serving a client’s case.’
      Legal 500 2023/Child Law (Public and Private)/Leading Juniors/Midlands

      Strengths: "His legal analysis, arguments, and knowledge in public law children work are consistently impressive."
      Chambers UK 2022/Family/Children/Midlands Bar

      ‘Incredible legal knowledge and research ability. Stephen superb detailed and highly persuasive written documents. A thorough and careful advocate with real attention to detail.’
      Legal 500 2022/Child Law (Public and Private)/Leading Juniors/Midlands

      Strengths: "His preparation is meticulous and his paperwork is exceptional. He also goes the extra mile for his clients." "He has wide-ranging and up-to-date legal knowledge and exceptionally strong drafting skills, and provides careful, well-prepared advocacy."
      Chambers UK 2021/Family/Children/Midlands Bar

      ‘He provides thorough and detailed advice in a calm and reassuring manner.’
      Legal 500 2021/Child Law (Public and Private)/Midlands

      "Respected for both his undertaking of public and private children law work and complex financial proceedings. Represents parents, children and authorities, advising them on care, placement and adoption proceedings as well as factitious illness, sexual abuse and non-accidental injuries."
      Chambers UK 2020/Family/Children/Midlands Bar

      ‘Tenacious and calm under pressure.'
      Legal 500 2020/Family and children/Midlands

      "Respected for both his undertaking of public and private children law work and complex financial proceedings."
      Chambers UK 2019/Family/Children/Midlands Bar

      Recent work: "Highly experienced and approachable." "A highly respected individual."
      Chambers UK 2018/Family/Children/Midlands Bar

      “A highly respected individual”
      Chambers UK 2017/Family/Children/Midlands Bar

      “Abberley is well respected for his work in both complex financial proceedings and sensitive public and private law children matters, and is particularly admired for his flexibility and welcoming manner with clients.”
      Chambers UK 2016/Family/Children/Midlands Bar

      “He really gets to grips with the arguments.”
      “I use him regularly and am always very impressed.”
      Chambers UK 2015/Family/Children/Midlands Bar

      Expertise: “He is a highly capable advocate, tenacious and excellent with clients.”
      “Stephen is knowledgeable, competent, very willing to assist and easy to contact.”
      Chambers UK 2014/Family/Children/Midlands Bar

      “Stephen is particularly good at care proceedings”
      Chambers UK 2013/Family/Children/Midlands Bar

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