Child Care, Adoption & Kinship Care

Ridley & Hall’s Child Care solicitors are experts in child care law, known both locally and nationally. We handle cases involving parental and children’s rights, as well as local authority responsibilities. We understand that many parents don’t get the support they should, despite their capabilities being questioned.

We are strong advocates for the rights of parents, children, grandparents, family members, and adoptive parents. Nowadays, grandparents, relatives, and friends are increasingly taking on vital roles in children’s lives, especially when a child is taken away from their parents by local authorities. It’s crucial to make sure these kinship carers’ voices are heard.

Our kinship care solicitors specialise in representing them in care proceedings, working to place the child with the right family or friends. We’ve helped families across the country, regardless of distance. Our main goal is to get the right results for carers, making sure both the child and the carers get the support they need.

Additionally, if you’re facing adoption challenges, our adoption lawyers are here to offer practical advice.

Our Areas of Expertise

Kinship Care

Adoption

Care Proceedings

Non-Accidental Injury

Our People

Sarah Brown

Partner,
Solicitor,
Team Leader

Sarah is the Team Leader of the Public Law team. She primarily assists clients with a variety of issues related to adoption and has developed a particular specialism in advising clients on the adoption process and adoption disruptions....

Nigel Priestley

Senior Partner, MBE

Nigel Priestley is a Senior Partner of Ridley & Hall Solicitors and a community care and adoption specialist solicitor. He is a member of the Children’s Panel and regularly represents children and parents in care proceedings. ...

James Cook

Director,
Head of Child Care & Public Law Team

James Cook trained and qualified at a South Yorkshire firm where he specialised in family and immigration law. ...

Helen Moody

Partner,
Solicitor

Helen joined Ridley & Hall in 2012 after completion of the Legal Practice Course, initially as a Legal Assistant working alongside Nigel Priestley to build up experience in the Public Law department. Helen completed her training contract at Ridley & Hall and qualified as a solicitor in 2016. Helen has had major successes in claiming allowances and back dated payments for kinship carers from Local Authorities across the country. Helen was made an Associate Solicitor in January 2023....

Clare Linden

Partner

Clare joined Ridley & Hall Solicitors as a Partner in 2018. Clare graduated from Durham University and completed her legal training at the College of Law in York in 2006. Clare qualified as a solicitor in 2008 when she re-located to Leeds to join the niche family law firm McAras and was made a partner in 2013 following the firm’s merger with Simpson Millar solicitors in Leeds....

Zoe Butt

Partner,
Solicitor,
Team Leader of the Care Team

Zoe Butt joined the firm in March 2023 as a Partner. Zoe has a wealth of experience in children matters and works in our Care and Public Law teams. Zoe’s particular expertise is in complex care proceedings involving Child Sexual and Criminal Exploitation, and cases involving alleged Non-Accidental Injury. She also has a wealth of experience in dealing with cases involving Forced Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation and Honour Based Violence....

Laura Milburn

Partner

Laura has many years of legal experience and was called to the Bar in 2010. After qualifying as a Barrister, Laura cross-qualified to become a Solicitor in 2012. Laura is a passionate advocate and has used her advocacy and negotiation skills on behalf of many clients over the years. ...

Sara Horncastle

Partner

Sara Horncastle joined Ridley & Hall in April 2025 as a Partner in the Care Team. A specialist Children’s Solicitor, Sara has practised exclusively in the field of children law since qualifying in 2010. ...

See allless

Kim Noble

Associate,
Solicitor-Advocate

Kim qualified as a Solicitor-Advocate in 2019 after obtaining her Higher Rights of Audience (Civil) as a Trainee Solicitor based in the Care Department at a Local Authority. Kim has obtained a Law Degree, Legal Practice Course and a Master of Laws prior to qualifying as a Solicitor-Advocate....

Alisha Mazher

Solicitor

Alisha is a qualified family law solicitor with ample experience and knowledge in domestic abuse cases, private child arrangements and kinship....

Ellie Butterfield

Trainee Solicitor

Ellie joined Ridley & Hall as a Trainee Solicitor in April 2025 and is currently completing her Training Contract. Alongside her role, she is studying the Legal Practice Course (LPC) part-time, with a view to qualifying as a solicitor in 2027....

Nicki Butterworth

Associate Personal Assistant

Nicki is an experienced Personal Assistant who works within the Care & Public Law Team (for Child Care Director, James Cook). Nicki’s career began in the retail sector, and it was there where she began to hone her renowned communication and customer service skills....

We would like to pass on our heartfelt thanks to everyone from Ridley & Hall who helped us get to this point, it is very much appreciated!

Public Law Client – 21 October 2024

Speaking to Nigel Priestley has been quite literally life changing! He has fought for and with us and has been such a great support.

6 March 2024

This whole process has been extremely stressful and difficult for H. However I would like to thank you for the kind and compassionate way you have led H through these awful months. It has been helpful hearing of all the other people in similar positions and H has now joined one of the facebook groups which I am sure will help too. You have been there for us whenever we needed you and your calm and reassuring manner have been much appreciated.

Public Law client – July 2023

Thank you so so much! I really didn’t think for one min this would have been the result at all! It means so much to us to hear off this news as times are hard right now for everyone as you know. You truly have been my rock and I can’t thank you enough for all that you have done for us. I wish I could keep you lol, I call u my guardian angel Helen.

Kinship Client – 9 June 2023

Thank you for all the work you put into the case! We’re relieved with the outcome being in our favour.

Adoption Client – 25 January 2023

Thank you so much for your help and support during what has been a very tough time for us all. We are really grateful for the efficient, professional service that you have given, not to mention the support. Both barristers were excellent in particular Mr Hutchinson, we found to be excellent and a credit to the organisation. We will now look forward to moving forwards in life now that we all know where we are.

Adoption Client – 17 January 2023

We valued the support and advice provided to us throughout our legal case. Nigel and his team were understanding and empathetic which we really appreciated. Nigel’s knowledge and expertise in this particular area shone through. The work they completed in advance and during court proceedings was excellent. We would have no hesitation in recommending Ridley & Hall to others.

Public Law Client – 27 December 2022

Thank you for the incredible hard work at all hours to advise and to put this pack together. We wouldn’t have the courage to fight without you.

Public Law Client – 3 November 2022

Thank you so much for steering us through this very difficult time. We are both so very glad that we found you through our friend and so extremely grateful that you were able to secure first the fostering allowance and subsequently the special guardian further two years funding as well as various other further education funding for the boys and us as a family. This allows us to make their life considerably more pleasant than it would otherwise have been. Thank you Nigel for your expertise in this and to you Jane for always answering queries so promptly.

Kinship Client – 7 September 2022

Thanks for that, can’t believe it’s actually happening. Please thank the whole team on our behalf, you have been amazing.

Kinship Care Client – 4 August 2022

Contact Us Today

New Enquiries Freephone
0800 860 62 65

Existing Clients

info@ridleyandhall.co.uk