Charlotte Mackenzie

Children public law

Charlotte established her practice in public law children proceedings through representing parents with drug and alcohol misuse issues in the Family Drug and Alcohol Court.  She predominately acts on behalf of parents, but also other family members and the children, and has appeared in the High Court.

Children private law

Charlotte undertakes all forms of private law children work across all stages of proceedings including disputes relating to contact, residence, specific issues, such as schooling and removal from the jurisdiction, and enforcement.  She is regularly instructed in complex matters involving allegations of domestic abuse and parental alienation.

Domestic Abuse

Charlotte frequently represents clients who are involved in Family Law Act 1996 proceedings. She has extensive experience in applications for non-molestation orders and occupation orders, from without notice hearings through to final hearing, including where those applications are linked to Children Act 1989 proceedings.

Reported cases

• C v D and another [2018] EWHC 3312 (Fam).  The very few reported cases that have involved termination of parental responsibility have involved the perpetration of serious physical abuse against the child or other members of their family. This case involved a unique set of circumstances which justified the removal of parental responsibility as a result of the father’s campaign of harassment against the mother and the child.  Charlotte appeared on behalf of the mother in her successful application to remove the father’s parental responsibility and to change the child’s surname - https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2018/3312.html