Hannah Wyatt specialises in complex care proceedings including issues of non-accidental injuries, sexual, physical and emotional abuse and severe neglect.
Hannah also undertakes public inquiry work, acting as counsel for the inquiry or advising core participants.
Family Law
Overview
Hannah’s family practice is predominantly within public law proceedings acting for children by their Guardians, for parents and other family members. She has a wealth of experience dealing with contested cases involving a broad range of issues including the causation of non-accidental injuries, sexual, physical and emotional abuse, severe neglect, alleged spiritual possession and radicalisation. Her background in criminal law has provided her an excellent foundation for cross examining witnesses.
She is mindful of the great number of vulnerable people that find themselves in care proceedings and is adept at working with parents with learning difficulties, intermediaries and cross examining vulnerable witnesses.
Hannah also represents parents in private law disputes regarding domestic violence, parental alienation and child arrangements. She is known for her dedicated and robust approach whilst having a friendly and personable disposition. She prides herself on having an eye for detail and is very thorough in her preparation. She is qualified to accept public access instructions.
Notable Cases
RB of Kensington & Chelsea v G [2017] - Represented a Guardian in a fact finding and final hearing. The main issue related to sexual abuse of the children. The case successfully concluded with the children being placed with their father.
RB of Greenwich v O [2017] - Represented a Guardian in a fact finding and final hearing. It involved an abundance of police and medical evidence relating to the non-accidental injuries of a 2 year old boy. The case concluded successfully with a Special Guardianship Order and removal of the child to a foreign jurisdiction.
LB of Waltham Forest v M [2015] - High Court care proceedings - Represented a father whose partner had allegedly abducted their children and tried to take them to Syria to join ISIS.
H v H [2015] - Represented a father at a fact finding hearing in private law proceedings. The mother alleged numerous acts of domestic violence. No findings of fact were made and a Child arrangements Order was agreed.
Hertfordshire CC v B [2014] - Represented a mother with severe learning difficulties, requiring an intermediary, in care proceedings. Her previous child had been subject to a Placement Order in 2013. Successfully contested an ICO; the child, having been removed at birth, was returned to the mother's care in a mother and baby foster placement.
LB of Croydon v M [2013] - High Court care proceedings; represented a father who had been convicted of manslaughter of his ex-partner, the mother of his child.
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Criminal Defence
R v D & Ors [2016] (Southwark Crown Court) - Defended the ring leader of a cut throat £5 million HMRC gift aid fraud lasting 8 weeks. Initially a Led Junior, but due to unforeseen circumstances, in week 3 she took over leading the case. This included legal argument, cross examination of co-defendants, including the defendant's son and daughter and making the closing speech.
R v B & Ors [2016] (Southwark Crown Court) - Defended in a 9 handed conspiracy to traffic foreign nationals into the country for prostitution trial, as a Led Junior. No evidence offered in week 3 due to successful defence argument.
R v N & Ors [2015] (Bristol Crown Court) - Defended a Senior member of a 10 handed conspiracy to produce crystal methamphetamine, amphetamine and MDMA during a 13 week trial as a Led Junior. An unusual case due to the lack of knowledge about crystal methamphetamine in the UK and involving over 500 hours of covert audio recordings.
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Professional Regulation
Overview
In regulatory proceedings, Hannah has appeared before panels at the Health and Care Professionals Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council. She has experience representing paramedics and nurses in cases involving misconduct and lack of competence.
Notable Cases
NMC v W [2017]
Hannah represented a nurse accused of having a relationship with his vulnerable patient. She was able to persuade the Nursing and Midwifery Council panel to stay the proceedings as an abuse of process due to an inherently flawed identification procedure and investigation as a whole.
