Rebecca Foulkes

Rebecca is in demand from leading solicitors for her robust yet sensitive approach to private law children cases. She is acutely aware of how hard litigation can be for parents and keeps their concerns at the forefront of her mind at all times. She is vastly experienced in applications for child arrangements, prohibited steps and specific issue orders.

She is recognised for her skilful handling of disputes arising from assisted reproduction and cases brought under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, appearing in the Court of Appeal in Re G (Children) [2014] EWCA Civ 336.

Her public law practice includes acting for local authorities, parents and children’s guardians and she has appeared in several high-profile reported cases. She has particular expertise in non-accidental injury cases which involve complex medical evidence.

Rebecca has considerable experience of abduction cases and applications for return made under the Hague Convention, appearing successfully for both applicants and respondents.

She also accepts instructions to act for applicants and respondents in applications for injunctions under the Family Law Act.

She has acted for local authorities and parents in the Court of Protection.

Rebecca has written and presented seminars for leading publishers.

Manages a diverse children practice which spans both public and private law proceedings, and has additional experience of handling arbitration proceedings. Her particular expertise includes serious public law issues centring on complex non-accidental injuries.
Strengths: “Has gravitas beyond her years and a definite command of the case. She thinks about every angle and she’s very persuasive in her advocacy.” “A calm and steady advocate, she is a very reassuring presence for clients.”

Recent work: Represented the parents of Alfie Evans at the initial hearing in proceedings brought by the NHS trust (where Alfie was an inpatient) for a declaration about Alfie’s ongoing treatment under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court.
Chambers & Partners 2020
Band 1

‘Is exceptionally well prepared, calm and has authority beyond her years, both with clients and in court.’
Legal 500, 2020

Manages a diverse children practice which spans both public and private law proceedings. She has a growing reputation with regard to cases concerning assisted reproduction. Her particular expertise includes serious public law issues centring on complex non-accidental injuries.

Strengths: “She carries gravitas beyond her years, and gives sound, well-judged advice.” “She fully prepares cases of the utmost complexity with great skill, and is reliable and thorough.”
Chambers & Partners 2019

‘Has a real forensic ability to analyse the evidence and work out complex points of law.’
Legal 500, 2019

Manages a diverse children practice that has seen her appearing in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in significant proceedings. She also has a growing reputation with regard to cases concerning assisted reproduction. Her expertise includes serious public law issues centring on complex non-accidental injuries.

Strengths: “She’s great through and through. She brings impressive legal analysis to everything that she does and is extremely thorough with her papers. Clients have absolute faith when she represents them in court.”

Recent work: Involved in an emotionally challenging case relating to a local authority’s application to remove her client and her siblings from their parent’s care. The application was brought after the client, aged 16, attempted to travel to Syria to join so-called Islamic State.
Chambers & Partners 2018

‘Extremely clever, diligent and thorough.’
Legal 500, 2017

Manages a diverse children practice that sees her appearing in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in significant proceedings. She also has a growing reputation with regard to cases concerning assisted reproduction.
Strengths: “A leading junior in her field, particularly in public law. A tenacious and smooth advocate who is very intelligent.”
Recent work: Represented a mother who had sought to prevent the father from spending time with the children in Dubai, where he was based, for fear that he would seek to wrongfully retain the children there. The case involved consideration of expert evidence as to the safeguards that would be available within the legal system of the UAE and highly contentious oral evidence from each parent.
Chambers & Partners 2017

‘She has a good forensic brain and an excellent grasp on the long-term strategic plan in a case.’
The Legal 500, 2016

Has gained experience at all levels of the appellate court system, dealing with complex private and public law children matters. She receives praise from some of the highest-profile instructing solicitors.

Strengths: “She is extremely good and understands the interplay between public and private law. She’ll be thinking about how something might play out in four years’ time if we pursue a line of argument. She has an eye on the longer-term issues as well as the matter at hand.”

Recent work: Involved in the recent Court of Appeal case of Re G. The topic of parental responsibility and how that relates to residency issues between same-sex couples was explored.
Chambers & Partners 2016