Andrea Ferguson

Public Law

Andrea is instructed by Local Authorities, Parents, Children, Intervenors and other parties such as connected carers. Having spent her earlier career gaining considerable experience in criminal practice with a focus on serious sexual and violent offences involving vulnerable adult and child complainants Andrea has extensive experience in cross examination of lay and expert witnesses to resolve significant factual disputes.

Andrea is instructed in cases involving serious paediatric injury and death or involving complaints of significant sexual abuse or honour-based violence and abuse. Andrea has considerable experience representing clients with longstanding and profound difficulties, including serious mental health problems, substance misuse issues and significant cognitive impairment.

Andrea is instructed in Wardship proceedings before the High Court. Andrea additionally has considerable experience representing applicant or respondent parties in applications under the inherent jurisdiction, particularly in relation to DOLS.

Andrea is a tenacious and proactive advocate who is known for her down to earth and no-nonsense approach but with considerable sensitivity in cases involving vulnerable witnesses and/or parties.

Private Law

Andrea is instructed in cases in which parties to private law proceedings they make or defend allegations of serious domestic abuse, including violence, coercive and controlling behaviour and sexual offences. Andrea has experience of cases involving allegations of alienating behaviours and enforcement of previous orders relating to arrangements for children.

Andrea is instructed on behalf of children where a guardian is appointed within private law proceedings. Andrea has experience of cases involving international relocation. Andrea has represented the child in a case concerning habitual residence.

Notable Cases

A LA v B & S – represented a mother, together with another Junior Counsel. Case involved a LA seeking numerous findings relating to forced marriage, coercive control, honour related violence and control, and humiliating behaviours towards younger children with medical needs.
Re CX 2025 –initially in R16.4 private law proceedings and then wardship proceedings on the application of the children’s guardian. The case involved a mother who travelled to TRNC during the private law proceedings with the child. The matter culminated in an argument at final hearing before Poole J concerning whether habitual residence can transfer to a state not a signatory to the Hague Convention.
A LA v F – acting for the LA in a case involving a 14-year-old grooming and sexually abusing two siblings and with parents who are both professionals and seeking to keep all the children together in the family home.
A LA v H – acting for a mother who lacks capacity and is represented through the OS. The LA allege the mother cannot care by reason of being exploited and abused by those she lives with. The mother is unable to identify herself as a victim of abuse by reason of her challenges. The LA have thus far declined to undertake proceedings in the COP but assert they can fairly assess the mother to care where she presently lives. Led by Darren Howe KC
M v M– represented a father in private law proceedings in which he was the applicant, and the mother was engaging in alienating behaviours and breaching orders of the family court. Successfully achieved a change of residence at an interim hearing.
A LA v R – acting for a father whose baby died in the care of his mother aged 8 months, there is dispute between experts concerning injuries sustained before death. The mother was arrested for murder and there is evidence at very least of significant neglect. Led by Damien Woodward-Carlton KC.
A LA v B&T – acted for the father and perpetrator of significant harm, causing a traumatic brain injury by shaking to a seven-week-old baby. Whilst a perpetrator finding was made, the child was successfully rehabilitated to the care of the parents following a denied abuse and perspectives assessment by Stephanie Snow.
A LA v G – acted for the mother in a case involving the death of a child (her niece) in the primary care of the parents, the cause of death being first recorded as poorly controlled Diabetes Mellitus in circumstances of chronic neglect. Successfully argued that the cause of death finding cannot be supported, and preparations are underway for a rehabilitation home. Led by Deborah Seitler
A LA v S – acting for a mother in care proceedings in which her daughter was sent to the UK with her aunt and uncle and subsequently made allegations of a serious sexual nature against her uncle. In consolidated proceedings it was then revealed that the aunt and uncle are not biological parents of their own child. A case involving the instruction of several highly specialised experts, for example in the field of micro chimerism – led by Charlotte Worsley KC.
A LA v A – acting for a father, inexplicably in the pool of perpetrators for a traumatic brain injury to a two-year-old child who subsequently died because of clinical negligence whilst being treated for the index injury alleged to be an NAI. An interesting case involving the consideration of whether the injury arises because of an accidental fall down a flight of steep stairs or a shaking type of injury. The father was exonerated in relation to all but one allegation unrelated to the injury and the children returned home – led by Charlotte Worsley KC
A LA v B/D-H – for the LA in two linked cases in which findings were sought in the first matter of serious sexual abuse of a non-subject child in breach of trust, in addition to sexually taking advantage of the mother who had significant vulnerabilities in the context of the relationship that led to the birth of the subject child. In the linked proceedings seeking findings of non-accidental injury to the other child of the same father, in addition to abusive and controlling behaviour toward the second child’s mother. Leading Harriet Williams. The final hearings involved argument about the restriction, loss or refusal to grant parental responsibility.
A LA v S and Ors – acted for an intervenor in a case involving a skull fracture to a young baby. Client was exonerated in the finding of fact hearing judgement.
A LA v O – acted for an intervenor in the pool of potential perpetrators for a bucket handle fracture to a baby.
A LA v F&B – acted for the LA seeking findings of sexual assault by an intervenor against the mother’s five-year-old child, who had undertaken an ABE interview. The court made all findings sought.