Simon Bickler KC’s practice encompasses all areas of Children Law.
Simon is a highly regarded KC in the field of Public Law Children . He is described by the Legal 500 as “A silk at the height of his powers” and “A brilliant orator”, “a consummate silk who builds good relationships with clients” and “A formidable and very astute advocate”
Simon is personable and very good at building relationships. He is particularly good at reassuring and explaining the law to clients, and undertakes direct access work in order to ensure that clients can get access to his expertise for a reasonable cost.
In particular those involving; intractable child arrangement disputes, serious non-accidental injuries and child fatalities with disputed medical evidence, often linked with criminal proceedings; allegations of sexual abuse; including false allegations of Fabricated and Induced Illness (FII), internal relocations and leave to remove from the jurisdiction.
Simon was Head of St Pauls Chambers between June 2016 and September 2022 and appointed a Deputy High Court Judge in July 2019. He has been ranked by the Legal Directories as a leading silk in family law since 2011. Most notably he was described as a ‘Silk at the height of his powers’.
Simon represents Local Authorities, parents, Children’s Guardians, extended family, foster-carers and prospective adopters.
It is noteworthy that Simon has spent a number of years as an accomplished advocate in the crown court. He is described by The Legal 500 as ‘a formidable and very astute advocate’.
Public Law Children
Simon frequently appears in high profile care proceedings. In the last 18 months he has acted successfully for parents in 4 cases involving a large scale paedophile ring, harming a child as a result of fictitious disorder, allegations of arranging a forced marriage abroad and causing the death of a baby with congenital brain abnormalities by shaking.
Simon works with a wide range of clients including local authorities, parents and guardians, adopters and foster parents, extended family members, other interested parties or interveners and the Official Solicitor.
Simon sits as a Deputy High Court Judge in family law. He is provided with top-class judicial training and resource that enables him to keep up to date within his specialist field as a Judge and as a practising Silk.
Simon has over 30 years’ experience as a specialist Children Act practitioner, the last 9 years in Silk. Simon often appears for parents of high net worth who have seemingly intractable disputes with their partners over the arrangements for the children. Simon is also instructed on allegations of parental alienation, domestic abuse, coercive control, and allegations of the utmost seriousness at the intersection with public law.
Matters concerning Private Law Children are particularly suited to Public Access clients. A number of Simon’s clients have instructed him on a privately-funded basis to advise and attend court. Instructing a Silk is not always possible under the Legal aid provisions but the Public Access scheme opens a direct link to a specialist Silk.
Instructing Simon not only provides the client with his years of advocacy experience as a barrister in the family and criminal courts, but it is also worth noting that Simon also sits as a part time High Court Judge in the family courts.
Simon has provided training seminars to local family firms of solicitors and has provided lectures to members of the Family Law Bar Association.
Represented surviving child following deaths of two siblings. Overturned historical Coroner’s verdict following further pathology investigation.
Represented father in finding of fact care proceedings concerning baby disfigured by burns sustained in boiling water. Complex medical evidence from burns experts.
Represented father in finding of fact care proceedings involving complex medical evidence of devastating head injury to 5 day old baby sustained whilst in hospital.
Represented father in finding of fact care proceedings. Life threatening rectal injury to 12 year old boy with autism and learning difficulties.
Represented the mother of a six year old child who was on permanent dialysis having had her kidneys removed. Non-compliance with strict dietary regime was potentially life-threatening. The Local Authority sought removal of this child before a transplant was to take place, which Simon successfully resisted.
Simon is committed to defending the rights of families who face issues of children relocating abroad, applications for leave to remove a child, or when clients are faced with an application from an ex-partner.
Simon is adept at handling cases involving Brussels II regulations. He is experienced in dealing with enforcement and registration of orders made in foreign countries and ‘Mirror orders’ in countries where no international treaty is in force.
Areas of expertise:
Represented father in resisting mother’s application to return child from Pakistan. Complex legal arguments on Habitual Residence and Brussels Revised.
