Ben Donaldson

Ben joined chambers as a pupil in September 2021 supervised by Rehana Begum. Ben has observed and actively assisted junior and leading counsel across a broad and complex mix of public and private law Children Act proceedings involving domestic violence, historical sexual abuse, life threatening non accidental injuries and use of the high court’s inherent jurisdiction to deprive children of their liberty.

Ben is regularly called upon by members of the team to undertake legal research which has helped him develop an evidence based and forensic approach to written advocacy.

He has distinguished himself in a number of cases by reason of his excellent note taking skills attracting compliments from practitioners and clients alike.  His legal research has helped him hone the ability to distil complex legal concepts into simple intelligible terms.  This experience has given Ben the thorough grounding he needs to effectively advise clients.

Whilst at university, Ben volunteered with legal and non-legal charities, working with vulnerable at-risk asylum seekers and school children across Greater Manchester. This special interest in assisting vulnerable and disadvantaged groups gain access to justice has persisted into his professional life and equipped him with the skills necessary to effectively represent vulnerable parents facing applications by the State to remove their children from their care.

Ben welcomes instructions to represent Local Authorities, guardians, interveners and parents in public and private Children Act proceedings.

Please contact family@18sjs.com for further information.