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Ian Shiels

Year of Call:

1992

Education:  

Whitley Bay High School, Whitley Bay
University of Leeds: 1st in English Literature (Canon JS Purvis Prizes in Language Subjects, 1985-1986)
Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford: reading for D.Phil (1986-1990)
Háskóli Íslands (University of Iceland): research (1987-1988)
City University, London: Diploma in Law (commendation) (1990-1991)
Inns of Court School of Law, BVC, very competent (1991-1992)
Awarded bursaries by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (1991 and 1992)

Career:

Called to the Bar 1992, Inner Temple
Pupillage at Chambers of Robert Seabrook QC, 1 Crown Office Row, London (1992-1993)
Member of the Chambers of John Mellor at 32 Park Square (then successively, of Peter Collier QC at 30 Park Square and Sovereign Chambers): 1994 to date
Member of the North Eastern Circuit
Member of the Family Law Bar Association
Junior of the North Eastern Circuit 2000-2001
Master of the Revels of the North Eastern Circuit: 2002-2008

Ian now specialises in cases involving the welfare of children, with the vast majority of his practice being in public law proceedings.

Ian has accepted instructions from Local Authorities, parents and other lay parties, and children’s Guardians (to appear in court and to advise). He has practised (and continues to do so) in the Family Proceedings Court, the County Court, the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Ian has considerable years of experience in dealing with the full range of cases, including the most serious (e.g. Factitious Illness, Non-Accidental Head Injury, serious and multi-generational sexual abuse). He has conducted lengthy and complex cases in the County Court and High Court, including those involving the deaths of children, and against parties represented by leading counsel. He has appeared in the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords.

Ian’s pupillage and early training was in civil common law, with an emphasis on written work, which continues to provide a basis for his expertise in detailed documentary work where appropriate.

Until fairly recently, however, Ian’s practice included criminal work, which has provided invaluable experience of the “interface” between family and criminal jurisdictions, which is of particular relevance in advising both Local Authorities and parents in cases where criminal proceedings are ongoing or in prospect. Ian has a particular expertise in matters relating to disclosure between criminal and family cases and vice versa, and has often represented Local Authorities in the Crown Court with regard to such matters, and has appeared as a court-appointed Special Advocate.