Kevin Skinner

Spear’s Review

A specialist in family law cases involving children, partner Kevin Skinner has been an important part of his firm’s expanding practice concerning civil partnerships, co-parenting arrangements and surrogacy. In particular, Skinner is sought out due to his knowledge of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008.

Finding the right balance for families within a relatively new and undeveloped legal space can be complex, but the challenge doesn’t daunt Skinner. ‘I strive to achieve the best possible outcome for all my clients, while supporting them through a difficult and often highly emotional time,’ he said, adding that the firm also has strong connections with therapists and independent social workers.

Adviser Profile

I have expertise in international custody disputes, child abduction, matrimonial proceedings and public children law proceedings (care).

I have a particular interest in Children Act applications, including child arrangement disputes, internal relocation and external relocation (leave to remove from the jurisdiction). When instructed in public law proceedings, my primary focus is on cases involving non-accidental injury and cases with concurrent criminal proceedings. I have represented people in Court of Protection proceedings and can advise regarding legal protections for vulnerable adults.

I am a regular speaker and author within the United Kingdom, having recently given talks to the ALC (Association of Lawyers for Children), NSPCC, NIA project and IMECE. I am an Amnesty International speaker (on issues around death penalty and stop violence against women), a regular contributor to Jordan’s Family Law and frequently asked to comment on cases by LexisNexis. 

I am known as a highly experienced litigator, able to take on the most complex of issues, whilst also looking for a pragmatic and sensible outcome for my clients, which can often be found outside of the court room.

I have been involved in a significant number of reported cases, mostly within international children proceedings, children proceedings and matrimonial proceedings (on appeal). Those cases include: Re K & S (Article 13(b) [2023] EWHC 1883 (Fam); Re KM (A child)(Jurisdiction: Habitual Residence) [2022] EWFC 132; Re: AA v BB & Ors (Hague Convention: Rights of Custody) [2022] EWHC 2322 (Fam); Re: IK (A Child) (Hague Convention: Evidence Consent) [2022] EWHC 396 (Fam); A Local Authority v M & Ors. [2022] EWHC 81; AD v BD (financial remedies appeal) [2021] EWFC B48 (21 July 2021); Re: M (Children) (Abduction: Joinder of Children) [2021] EWHC 635 (Fam) (22 January 2021).

I am recognised as one of the Top 10 more influential lawyers dealing with public law children’s issues in Business Today.