CAROLYN BLAND
LLB (Reading)
Call 1995 Inner Temple
Family- Public and Private Law
E-mail: bland@deanscourt.co.uk
Clerk: lmcarty@deanscourt.co.uk
Areas of Practice
- Children (Public and Private Law)
- Court of Protection
- Regulatory- General Medical Council
Education
Guildford School of Law
University of Reading
Dr Challoner’s High School for Girls
Profile
Carolyn commenced in practice as a solicitor starting her articles of clerkship in 1989 with a common law based firm of solicitors. During that time she was involved in assisting in the preparation of a number of criminal appeals arising out of the practices of the West Midlands Serious Crime Squad.
Carolyn qualified as a solicitor in 1991 and practised mainly within the civil field until 1995 when, enjoying advocacy and relishing a new challenge, she transferred to the Bar securing pupillage at Kenworthy’s Chambers. After a subsequent move to Young Street Chambers Carolyn built up a strong Public Law practice.
In 2001 Carolyn accepted an invitation to join Deans Court Chambers’ family team where she has been able to continue to develop her commitment to this particular area of the law. It is an area in which Carolyn believes the effective representation of all parties in public law proceedings is vitally important to ensure successful outcomes for children.
Carolyn’s skill and expertise is recognised by the fact that she is instructed by Local Authorities, solicitors acting for parents, relatives and children alike. She is also instructed on behalf of children in complex private law cases.
Carolyn has extensive experience of acting in cases of serious injury to children and sexual abuse and has been instructed in a number of cases of suspected factitious induced illness/ illness related behaviour.
Carolyn is also instructed by the General Medical Council to appear on their behalf at regulatory hearings. This work complements her busy family law practice.
Notable cases
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Represented a father in care proceedings where the mother of one of their children was thought to have caused its death.
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Representing grandparents as carers for children whose mother had been charged with the murder of another.
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Representing children whose mother was charged with allowing the death of their sibling.
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Representing a father in private law proceedings who had suffered significant head traumas and was seeking contact with his child.
Professional Associations
Northern Circuit
Family Law Bar Association
Child Concern