Oliver Latham

Listed as a “Rising Star” in the 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 editions of The Legal 500 for Family & Children Law

“A formidable barrister who goes above and beyond in preparation for his cases.”

– The Legal 500 (2025)

Oliver’s practice spans the entire range of Children Act cases, to include both public (care) proceedings and private law children cases.

His work involves representation of local authorities, parents and children in complex cases involving:

• • Allegations of inflicted injuries, including multiple fracture injury cases;
  • Genetic conditions
  • Endocrinological bone disorders and blood disorders;
  • Serious sexual abuse, including rape;
  • Serious domestic physical and emotional abuse;

• Psychiatric and psychological disorders;
• Parents with learning difficulties.

In a number of Oliver’s care cases he has worked with parents with findings of abuse under a “Resolution” style model in order to secure the return of the children to their care.

Alongside his care work, a significant proportion of Oliver’s practice involves representation of parents, and occasionally children, in private law disputes. Oliver has particular experience of litigating abuse in the family courts, including allegations of serious sexual abuse, and rape. His article on the court’s approach to consent in finding of fact hearings within child arrangement order proceedings, specifically in relation to rape allegations, was published in the October 2023 edition of the Family Law Journal. Oliver has experience of international contact and relocation disputes and welcomes instructions in this area. He has also been involved in cases involving disputes over legal parentage, often between same sex couples, and intractable disputes raising issues of parental alienation.

Articles

• Lennon K and Latham O, “Post-adoption contact after Re S: sea change or ripple in the ocean? Part 2” [2025] (Oct) Fam Law
• Lennon K and Latham O, “Post-adoption contact after Re S: sea change or ripple in the ocean? Part 1” [2025] (Sep) Fam Law

– Review of Post-adoption contact after RE. S:  “I was delighted to read your article in September’s Fam Law – about Re S. It’s a great analysis. I look forward to reading Part 2 of your article! Part 1 is out just in time to be added to the reading list for the new academic year!” – Professor Daniel Monk, Birkbeck Law School, University of London, Editor of Child and Family Law Quarterly.

• Latham O, “To ward or not to ward: the curious case of the deceased parent” [2025] (Feb) Fam Law
• Latham O and Lennon K, ‘Consent’ does it matter? [2023] Fam Law 1207

Listed as a “Rising Star” in the 2025 edition of The Legal 500 for Family & Children Law

“’Oliver has a wonderful talent for advocacy, adopting the method of scrupulous attention to detail and a good, calm delivery of what he needs to say. He is well regarded by judges.”

– Legal 500 (2023)

Oliver has been instructed in numerous FDRs and final hearings within financial remedy proceedings, often against more senior counsel. He has been involved in cases raising more unusual issues, such as substantial delay and significant disability. He very much welcomes instructions in this area.

Oliver has an especial interest in trusts issues arising from relationship breakdown involving unmarried couples. His first class undergraduate dissertation on the common intention constructive trust as applied to sole legal title disputes was described as a “stellar piece of original research” by the examiner.