Keeley Lengthorn

We acted for the Respondent Mother. The linked appeals arose from care proceedings under Part IV of the Children Act 1989 concerning two children aged 2 years old and 8 years old. Proceedings followed allegations of serious non-accidental injuries to the younger child (J) aged 8–10 months. The injuries included a subgaleal haemorrhage on 24 April 2023 and subsequent incidents through June 2023. The children were placed in interim care with a family member. A final welfare hearing was scheduled for March 2025. The Fact-finding hearing lasted 11 days, involving extensive medical, photographic, and lay evidence.

We acted for the mother in urgent inherent-jurisdiction proceedings concerning her teenage son, T, who had sustained catastrophic burn injuries (97% body surface) after a domestic accident. Before intubation, T—an adherent of the Jehovah’s Witness faith, clearly expressed that he did not wish to receive blood or blood products.

We acted for the Respondent mother. This case concerned our client’s child who was diagnosed with mitochondrial cavitating leukodystrophy at 12 months old. He suffered from a respiratory arrest in January 2025 and has since remained on ventilation in hospital. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board made an application for an order under the Court’s inherent jurisdiction that it is not in the child’s best interests to continue life-sustaining treatment. This application was opposed by the parents.

We successfully acted for the mother in the lead appeal in Re J, M-S-K-B & P. A significant joined case before the Court of Appeal, addressing complex issues of parental responsibility and the legal definition of a “father”.