Kate Hammond

Joint Managing Partner
Joint Head of the Family Department

Email:

kate.hammond@milesandpartners.com

Connect with me:

Languages:

English

Recent and notable cases

Do care proceedings allow enough time for parents with a disability to develop parenting skills?

Case report: Confidential. Kate Hammond recently represented children in care proceedings after the local authority raised concerns about their parents, both of whom have learning disabilities. This case has potentially important implications for the way parents with learning disabilities are ...

FGM order confirms ‘a child’s welfare is paramount’ in Court of Appeal case where schoolgirl was at risk of deportation

Case report: [2020] EWCA Civ 731. Kate Hammond has helped secure the welfare of a Suffolk schoolgirl in a landmark case where the local authority’s petition for a female genital mutilation (FGM) protection order was disputed by the Home Office. ...

Family court cannot interfere with decision of immigration tribunal in FGM case

Case report: [2020] EWHC 323 (Fam). One reason for seeking asylum in the UK might be to escape harmful practices, such as the risk of female genital mutilation (FGM). But how does the law in regard to FGM interact with ...

FGM case raises question of interplay between family and immigration courts

Case report: [2019] EWHC 2475 (Fam). Partner Kate Hammond, an expert in child care law, has been representing a child M in an application for a female genital mutilation (FGM) protection order made by the local authority prior to the ...

The (Ghanaian) family ties that bind

Case report: [2018] EWHC 3625 (Fam). When considering access to justice, it is important that each member of a family which is involved in legal proceedings has proper representation. Partner Kate Hammond recently acted pro bono for a Ghanaian couple ...

Expertise and experience

Kate is a recognised specialist in child care law, and she represents clients in court without the need for a barrister.

The majority of her work is in advising people involved in local authority care proceedings. This includes parents, children, guardians and anyone else who needs to become involved to defend themselves (known as intervenors).

In addition, she has a wealth of experience in representing children where there is disagreement between parents over decisions following a divorce or separation.

The types of cases that Kate has been involved in include:

representing and advocating for children in interim or long-term care proceedings initiated by the local authority;
representing children where there is an intractable dispute about child arrangement orders regarding where children will live or whether they are allowed to see a parent;
advising and representing children when their views differ to that of their parents or guardians, including making assessments of competence and understanding;
situations involving children who struggle to open up to others, building up trust and communication to ensure that their voice is heard in court;
non-accidental injury cases and cases of alleged sexual abuse; and
applications or orders for the deprivation of liberty for a child.

In her role as managing partner of Miles & Partners Solicitors, Kate works with the executive team to deliver the goals of the firm. She also oversees the professional development of all members of staff, in particular the trainee solicitors.

Kate is recognised as a ‘recommended lawyer’ in the 2023 Legal 500 with the following testimonials:

She has ‘the rare ability to explain complex legal information to children in a manner that is clear yet not patronising’.

‘Kate Hammond is an excellent lawyer – she delivers for her clients, is well-liked by colleagues and is a mentor for juniors. She has worked on a number of reported and high-profile cases in recent years but takes this in her stride and treats every case in the same way.’

She won the 2020 Family Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award, praised as ‘a brilliant role model who is inspiring the next generation of legal aid lawyers to continue this incredibly important work’ by Juliet Harvey, Resolution national chair. She is also recognised in the 2021 Legal 500 as a ‘recommended lawyer’.

Practice areas

Care proceedings & child protection

Violence in the family

Protection from domestic abuse

2000

Joined Miles & Partners

2002

Qualified as a solicitor

2006

Appointed a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel

2010

Became partner

2012

Became managing partner

2020

Won the 2020 Family Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award

2021 - 2022

Recognised in the Legal 500 as a ‘recommended lawyer’

Approach and ethos

I work hard to ensure my client is fully involved in the process and understands what is happening at each stage. I always try to remain professional but approachable.

What clients say

Simply outstanding.
2021 Legal 500

“Kate Hammond and her team are very knowledgeable and professional.”

Kate Hammond is extremely experienced and knowledgeable and considered a hero in the public law children sphere.
Legal 500 2018

“I have the deepest appreciation and respect for Kate Hammond and her colleagues, and their knowledge about legislation, domestic violence, mental health and children’s developmental stages.
I have worked with Kate when interviewing children. Kate is fully aware of how to approach children and deliver a message at a child’s level of understanding and in a child-friendly manner. Kate is equally skilled in speaking to the parties, in a balanced and fair manner, presenting a neutral message and making sure that they understand her role, as a child’s solicitor, always bearing in mind child’s best interests.
Kate has impressed me in terms of her professional courtesy shown to the parties, her ability to stay focused on the key issues, her ability to challenge lack of parental insight and her ability to effect prolonged engagement with the parties to promote a positive outcome on the case.
Kate Hammond is highly skilled in representing the interests of the children and other vulnerable client groups in front of the Courts, as well as a robust legal advisor, helping and supporting me to make the best and safest recommendations for the children in my work.”
MI, Enhanced Practitioner, CAFCASS