Huw Lippiatt

Huw-LIppiatt
Year of call:

2010 (Solicitor 1997)

Education:

1993 - University of Leicester, BA (Hons) Archaeology (2:1)

1995 - University of Huddersfield Common Professional Exam/Legal Practice Course (commendation)

2008 - University of Leeds, BSC Geological Sciences (2:1)

Career:

1997-2010 - Solicitor

2010 - Transfer to the Bar

2015 - Sovereign Chambers becomes Park Square Barristers

2022 - Head of the Family Team

Memberships:

Family Law Bar Association

Ranked in The Legal 500 (2024) and Chambers and Partners (2024) for Family and Children Law.

Huw is the Head of the family team at PSQB. He specialises in and practices almost exclusively in public law children’s cases, regularly representing local authorities, parents, children and grandparents. He has a well-established practice in Leeds and across Yorkshire.

“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 is briefed in many of the most serious and complex cases on circuit. He has over 25 years’ experience of dealing with cases involving complex medical issues, serious injuries, fabricated/induced illness and sexual abuse. As a senior junior he routinely appears against Leading Counsel. He has a particular interest in cases with a jurisdictional element and has been involved in cases relating to applications to transfer to a foreign jurisdiction and wardship proceedings involving children who have been taken abroad against their will.

He has featured in several high-profile family law cases in recent years, including H-D-H [2021] EWCA Civ 1192 in which he represented the successful respondent. In 2023 he (alongside chambers colleague Martin Todd) he was instructed to represent the subject children, in one of three linked FII cases listed in the High court before the Family Division Liaison judge.  Re BR (Transparency Order: Finding of Fact Hearing) [2023] EWFC 9.

Huw has a calm and reassuring manner with clients and often represents those with learning difficulties or mental health issues. He is well respected by both his colleagues at the bar and instructing solicitors. He has a reputation for taking a firm, measured and proportionate approach on behalf of those he is instructed to represent.

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

Claudine Cooper on 0113 202 8604

Paul Foster on 0113 213 5209

Arnela Siranovic on 0113 213 5212

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

Claudine Cooper on 0113 202 8604

Paul Foster on 0113 213 5209

Arnela Siranovic on 0113 213 5212

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

Claudine Cooper on 0113 202 8604

Paul Foster on 0113 213 5209

Arnela Siranovic on 0113 213 5212

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.

Contact Huw’s clerk

Madeleine Gray on 0113 202 8603

Patrick Urbina on 0113 213 5250

Imogen Brown on 0113 2135225