Experienced, fearless advocacy in the most complex children cases
Trusted representation in serious public law care proceedings and high-conflict private law disputes between parents. Over 25 years' experience.
Get to know Michelle Christie
Michelle is a leading specialist in the law relating to children, recognised by the Legal 500 as a Leading Junior for family, children and domestic abuse work on the Midland Circuit.
Called to the Bar by Middle Temple in 1999, Michelle now practises independently and was previously Joint Head of Chambers at Senate House Chambers. Her practice stands equally across public and private law children proceedings.
In public law, Michelle is instructed in the most serious and complex care cases: fabricated or induced illness, infant deaths and near-fatal injuries, complex medical evidence and serious sexual abuse. She acts for parents (including through the Official Solicitor), local authorities, Children's Guardians and children, as a leading junior in multi-party cases, and is regularly led by some of the profession's most eminent Leading Counsel.
In private law, she has represented parents for over 25 years in highly contested disputes about where a child should live, how much time they spend with each parent, and what happens when serious allegations are made. She is known for turning around cases that seem stuck, including securing shared care after years of very limited contact.
Above all, Michelle has a rare gift for putting people at ease. Parents often come to her at the very worst moment of their lives, frightened, exhausted and unsure what will happen to their children. Michelle's warmth, honesty and calm presence help them feel heard, understood and properly supported, so they can face court with confidence. Her client care is second to none.
Expertise
Care & Adoption
The most serious and complex care proceedings, involving grave allegations and detailed expert medical evidence.
- Fabricated or induced illness
- Infant deaths and near-fatal injuries
- Complex medical cases and expert evidence
- Serious physical and sexual abuse, including intra-familial and inter-sibling abuse
- Care proceedings running alongside criminal proceedings
- Multi-party cases, as leading junior or led by KCs
- Acting for parents (including via the Official Solicitor), local authorities, Children's Guardians and children
Children & Domestic Abuse
High-conflict disputes between parents, handled with care and clear strategy.
- Child arrangements orders: where a child lives and spends time
- Contact disputes, including where contact has broken down
- Change of residence and shared care
- Parental alienation and implacable hostility
- Allegations of domestic and sexual abuse, and fact-finding hearings
- Safeguarding, mental health and substance misuse concerns
- Specific issue and prohibited steps disputes, including change of name
- Restricting parental responsibility
- International relocation
The most serious and complex cases
When a child has suffered serious harm and the medical picture is contested, the stakes could not be higher. Michelle is regularly trusted with exactly these cases.
Complex medical evidence
Fabricated or induced illness, infant deaths, near-fatal and unexplained injuries: forensic mastery of the medical evidence and incisive cross-examination of expert witnesses.
Leading & led work
Michelle acts as a leading junior in multi-party proceedings, and is regularly led by some of the profession's most eminent Leading Counsel.
Parallel proceedings
Care proceedings running alongside criminal investigations and trials, and appellate work, including the Court of Appeal in Re P (A Child) [2018].
When parents cannot agree
Disputes about children are among the most painful a family can face. Michelle brings clear advice, careful preparation and persuasive advocacy at every stage, always focused on the outcome that is right for the child.
Advice & strategy
Early, candid advice on the merits, the evidence needed and the realistic options, including whether a negotiated outcome is achievable.
Fact-finding hearings
Where serious allegations of domestic or sexual abuse are made, robust preparation and skilled cross-examination of parties and experts.
Final hearings
Persuasive advocacy on child arrangements, shared care, relocation and parental responsibility, with written work often praised by the judiciary.
“A superb advocate.”Legal 500, Family: Children & Domestic Abuse, Leading Junior
Testimonials
“Her forensic skills and exceptionally thorough case preparation and analysis.”
“The quality of her preparatory and written work, which has often attracted praise from the judiciary in judgments.”
“Michelle’s cross-examination techniques of experts and other witnesses.”
“Michelle’s exceptional advocacy skills are coupled with a very personable and kind approach to lay clients.”
Calm in the most difficult of moments
No parent expects to find themselves in court fighting for their child. When they do, it can feel overwhelming.
Michelle is exceptional at making people feel relaxed, even in the most awful of situations. She takes time to listen, explains each step in plain language and makes sure her clients know exactly what to expect before they walk into the courtroom. Clients describe feeling reassured and genuinely cared for, and that sense of calm helps them give their best evidence when it matters most.
- Warm, approachable and genuinely kind
- Clear, honest advice without jargon
- Thorough preparation, so there are no surprises
- Unwavering support from first conference to final hearing
Notable cases
Reported public law cases
Court of Appeal
Recent private law cases
Secured a change of a child's surname and a restriction of the father's parental responsibility.
High Court proceedings on disclosure from earlier family proceedings, linked to an ongoing coronial inquest.
Secured shared care after two years of very limited contact.
Complex issues of gender identity and self-harm.
Contact
To discuss instructing Michelle, please contact her directly by telephone or email.
Instructions are accepted on my Terms of Engagement. If you are unhappy with my service, please see my Complaints Procedure.
Make an enquiry
Please get in touch by email or telephone to discuss instructing Michelle.
Email Michelle Call 07932 081404