Laura Doherty

Having joined Chambers in 2020 and completing a Common Law Pupillage, Laura now exclusively accepts instructions in family law.

Public Law

Laura is regularly instructed on behalf of Local Authorities, parents, and the Children at all stages within Care Proceedings. She has been instructed to act on behalf of parents who have been accused of inflicting serious injury upon their child, neglect and cases involving fabricated illness on behalf of the parent, having to cross examine medical experts and professional witnesses regularly.

Laura has recently been involved in a 13-day finding of fact for a parent, in a case that involved historic sexual allegations within complex family dynamics.

Private Law
Laura regularly deals with contact disputes and findings of fact concerning allegations of domestic, sexual, and emotional abuse, alongside parental alienation. She is often instructed on behalf of the Children as a 16.4 Guardian.

Laura is committed to providing sensible and realistic advice to professional and lay clients alike, having regard to the long-term outcomes for clients not just the short or medium term. She comes across as sensible and down to earth in what can otherwise be an extremely daunting and stressful setting for all.

Before commencing pupillage, Laura worked with the Royal College of Nursing dealing primarily with fitness to practise matters and DBS disputes. She later worked as a County Court Advocate representing both Claimants and Defendants in small claims and Infant Approval hearings. Laura has also conducted parole hearings and independent adjudications under the Prison Rules.