Ranked in The Legal 500 (2024) and Chambers and Partners (2024) for Family and Children Law.
Huw is the head of Our Family Team and was a specialist family law solicitor for 13 years before he was called to the Bar in 2010. During that time, he built up an extensive knowledge of all areas of family law and was a member of the Law Society’s Children’s Panel; he also held higher rights of audience, reflecting his position as an experienced solicitor-advocate.
“He is always empathetic and starts from the client’s perspective before moving on to give advice. He is a practical and thoughtful advocate.” – Chambers and Partners (2024)
“An extremely conscientious junior who demonstrates superb client care skills.” – The Legal 500 (2024)
“Huw is extremely hard-working and has significant experience in highly complex care proceedings representing local authorities, parents, family members and children.” – Chambers and Partners (2024)
“An extremely efficient and hard-working junior. He is especially strong in highly complex public law children cases.” – The Legal 500 (2023)
“Huw is thorough, keen and committed, with sound knowledge of child care law principles.” – The Legal 500 (2022)
“Huw is calm, measured and always shows excellent judgement in his cases. Huw is always extremely well-prepared and manages to hone in on the key points on behalf of his client. He is very adept at winning the confidence of clients and alert to what shall be their priorities and worries.” – The Legal 500 (2021)
Huw specialises in cases relating to children in both public and private law cases. He regularly represents local authorities, parents, children and grandparents.
As a specialist family practitioner, Huw is regularly briefed in more serious and complex cases and he has experience in dealing with cases involving serious injuries and sexual abuse.
Huw has a particular interest in cases with a jurisdictional element. He has been heavily involved in a number of complex cases relating to applications to transfer to a foreign jurisdiction under Article 15 BIIR and international adoption over the last 12 months.
Huw has represented local authorities, parents, grandparents and children in lengthy multi-day (15+ days) fully contested final and finding-of-fact hearings in care proceedings.
He has a reputation for giving sensible and realistic advice at all stages during proceedings and for conducting hearings in a thorough and measured way.
Notable cases
- Leeds CC v A (2016-2017), Leading Counsel for the children. Representing the children in an extremely complex 30+ day final High Court hearing involving allegations of sexual and physical abuse in a family of African heritage. Significant aspects: This case involved calling a large number of witnesses, including children to deal with highly sensitive and contentious allegations of severe sexual abuse.
- North Yorkshire CC v H (2017): Representing the Applicant local authority in a complex case of alleged fabricated illness. Case heard in the High Court sitting at York. 15 day finding of fact hearing. Led by Will Tyler QC. Significant aspects: Allegations of fabricated illness in a case where some of the children had also suffered with genuine significant medical problems.
- Leeds CC v M (February 2017): Leading counsel for the respondent father accused of rape of his daughter. Bengali interpreters required throughout. Care Proceedings – final hearing – 15 days. Significant aspects: Client remained on police bail throughout hearing. Main complainant child called to give evidence at final hearing.
- Leeds CC v P (May – November 2017): Counsel for the Applicant Local Authority in care proceedings concerning a Latvian National. Advising upon, and successfully opposing application for transfer under Article 15. Significant aspects: All parties were Latvian and the Latvian Orphan’s court was joined to the proceedings as an intervenor.
Contact Huw’s clerks
Huw Lippiatt was a specialist family-law solicitor for 13 years before he was called to the Bar in 2010. During that time he built up an extensive knowledge of divorce law and ancillary financial proceedings.
Both as a solicitor and since joining the Bar, Huw has represented clients in complex and high-net-value matrimonial finance proceedings.
Huw has a reputation for providing sensible and realistic advice at all stages during proceedings, and for taking a meticulous and measured approach to hearings.
Contact Huw’s clerks
Huw Lippiatt has dealt with a number of highly complex cases in the Court of Protection, representing parents and other family members of adults who are the subject of applications under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Public Access
Huw may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.
Contact Huw’s clerks
Huw Lippiatt has a particular interest in environmental law and has degrees in geological sciences and archaeology. He is particularly interested in issues relating to contaminated land.
Public Access
Huw may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.
