Tim Parker KC

Call: 1995     |    Silk: 2022

Tim Parker KC is a barrister, arbitrator and mediator specialising in family law, inquests and the Court of Protection.

Tim’s public law child practice concentrates on proceedings involving fatality, non-accidental injury and sexual abuse. In addition he advises on Human Rights Act claims arising from family proceedings, deprivation of liberty applications, special guardianship, placement or relocation of children overseas, foreign adoptions, judicial review of local authority decisions and forced marriages. Tim is instructed by most local authorities in the Greater London area, favoured for his experience in complex cases and understanding of the challenges faced by public sector clients. Tim is a popular choice acting for parents and guardians in care proceedings, noted for his skilled analysis of factual and medical evidence in cases of alleged non-accidental injury.

Notable Public Law Children cases

  • Re A Local Authority v The Mother & Ors
    [2020] EWHC 1233 (Fam), High Court, Williams J Fact-finding hearing concerning the death of a child due to cocaine ingestion

  • Re C (Children) (Covid-19: Representation)
    [2020] EWCA Civ 734, Court of Appeal, Peter Jackson, Eleanor King and Asplin LJJ Analysis of Covid 19 regulations, effect upon representation and Article 6 rights.

  • Re A (No. 2) (Children: Findings of Fact) [2019] EWCA Civ 1947

    Appeal against findings made of sexual assault and homicide in respect of a 10 year old girl found deceased in her bedroom with neck and genital injuries. The Court of Appeal remitted the case for an unprecedented third fact-finding hearing before a (third) High Court judge.

Tim is instructed in private law disputes between parents, often instructed on behalf of children’s guardians in the more complex or intractable cases.

Tim qualified as an Arbitrator to conduct children cases in 2016. As such he is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and accredited by the Institute of Family Law Arbitrators. The majority Child Arrangement Order disputes are capable of resolution through arbitration. Tim can be appointed as arbitrator to adjudicate in children disputes or in the alternative to represent parties to arbitration.

Tim has undertaken financial remedy work throughout his career at the Bar. He has expertise in all financial remedy applications connected to divorce, civil partnership and co-habitee disputes including applications under Children Act 1989 Schedule 1.

Tim qualified as a Family Law Arbitrator, Tim is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and listed by the Institute of Family Law Arbitrators. Tim can be appointed as arbitrator to adjudicate in financial remedy disputes or in the alternative to represent parties to arbitration.

Tim has been instructed in a number of inquests on behalf of families and other interested parties. In 2020 he was instructed by a Care Commissioning Group in a series of 4 deaths arising from eating disorders and most recently acted for a local authority in an Article 2 inquest concerning the death of a child in care.

Tim has been involved in a large number of cases concerning vulnerable adults and children in care proceedings as well as financial remedy cases. He acts for all parties in the Court of Protection and has a particular understanding of the interaction between the Court of Protection and the Family Court.

Notable Court of Protection cases

  • Re M[2018] EWCOP 4

    Tim was instructed in this appeal on behalf of the applicant deputy. The appeal considered issues of disclosure and procedure in consecutive Family Court and Court of Protection Proceedings. Following this appeal P regained capacity and the deputy sought permission to withdraw proceedings which was unsuccessfully opposed by members of P’s family at a fully contested High Court hearing.

Endorsements

“Someone liked by clients and judges, he always has his eye on the bigger picture and the endgame.”

Chambers and Partners 2025

“Timothy is incredibly robust and an effective advocate. Courteous but forceful in the defence of his clients, he won't back down when faced with a challenging case.”

Chambers and Partners 2025

“Tim is an extremely experienced and talented barrister, who relates well to clients and puts them at ease. He is efficient and practical.”

Chambers and Partners 2025

“Tim is extremely good with clients, making them feel at ease in highly charged situations, while he methodically unpicks the evidence and legal issues.”

Legal 500 2025

“Tim has a reassuring and calm manner in court. He is eloquent in cross-examination, detailed and persuasive. He is able to deal with expert witnesses when their evidence is not favourable to his client. He is highly regarded in the profession.”

Legal 500 2024

“Tim has a really good instinct for where a case is going to go and what the best strategy is to achieve the best outcome for the client. Clients find him approachable and reassuring. He is always well prepared, unflappable and able to stand his ground when required.”

Chambers & Partners 2024

“His client management skills are robust and he has a very calming presence, which is needed considering the matters he deals with. His advocacy is a real strength and he comes across as knowledgeable. He's capable, calm, and confident.”

Chambers & Partners 2023

“He's very effective; he asks all the killer questions you wish you'd asked. He has a really good client manner and is often instructed against silks in heavyweight care cases.”

Chambers & Partners 2017

“He is the whole package; a fantastic advocate and great with clients.”

Legal 500 2017

“An excellent advocate, who gives great perspective and insight.”

Legal 500 2016

“He is the whole package, a fantastic advocate and great with clients.”

Legal 500 2019

“Tim is astute, authoritative, and has an excellent grasp of the law.”

Chambers & Partners 2019

“An extremely effective advocate who is formidable in cross-examination and leads the team very well. He is often in really heavyweight cases, and when you get him it is like having a silk on your case.”

Chambers & Partners 2018

“He always has a full understanding of the matters at hand and gets results for his clients.”

Chambers UK 2020

“The set's foremost leading family junior.”

Legal 500 2021

“Strong in court and a man whose written documents are highly persuasive.”

Chambers UK 2021

“Technically brilliant with a fine attention to detail.”

Legal 500 2021

“He is a fantastic advocate who is very persuasive, sensible and pragmatic on his feet.”

Chambers UK 2020

Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB)

Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate.


View my privacy policy.

Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB)

Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate.


View my privacy policy.

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© Deka Chambers 2024

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