Malcolm Clarke is a specialist family law barrister with over 20 years’ experience in private and public law children cases, financial remedies, and protective orders. He accepts Direct Access instructions and acts for parents, children, local authorities, and interveners in complex family proceedings.
Expert in Children Act cases, care proceedings, adoption, residence & contact, and protective orders
Skilled in fact-finding hearings, especially when medical, abuse or mental health issues arise
Has a criminal background which aids in detailed cross-examination and evidence handling
Malcolm provides representation in:
Children Act proceedings: care, adoption, residence, contact, parental responsibility, jurisdictional disputes, appeal work
Family Law Act proceedings: non-molestation orders, occupation orders, injunctions, contempt hearings
Breach of court orders and enforcement
Appeals to the Court of Appeal on family law matters
Malcolm Clarke has spent two decades practising family law, building a breadth of experience in sensitive, high-stakes, and emotionally complex cases. He is widely respected for his balanced understanding of all parties involved in children cases—parents, children, local authorities, interveners, and guardians.
Background & approach
Has represented local authorities, parents, grandparents, children, interveners, and guardians, giving him a rounded perspective on each side’s concerns
His prior experience in criminal law makes him a go-to barrister for fact-finding hearings involving serious allegations such as non-accidental injury, physical or sexual abuse, complex medical evidence, and cases involving mental health or learning difficulties
Children Act & Public Law Practice
Regularly instructed in care proceedings, adoption, and residence/contact disputes
Handles parental responsibility applications, contested jurisdictional disputes, and breach proceedings
Frequently appears in interim hearings, final hearings, and appeals in family law matters
Protective & Injunctive Work
Expert in non-molestation orders, occupation orders, and other protective measures under the Family Law Act
Conducts hearings for contested injunctions, contempt of court, and enforcement of protective orders
Fact-Finding & Evidence Handling
Known for detailed scrutiny and cross-examination in fact-finding hearings involving serious allegations
Comfortable analysing medical, psychological, and social care evidence
Skilled in managing cases with multiple parties and disputed factual matrices
Called to the Bar in 1994.
For more information on Direct Access, Family Law and working with our team visit our blog.
