About
Kevin has expertise in international custody disputes, child abduction, matrimonial proceedings and care proceedings. He is assisting in developing Goodman Ray’s growing practice for alternative families, advising on civil partnership and co-parenting arrangements and surrogacy. Kevin advises in respect of legal issues arising from the creation and implementation of surrogacy arrangements and The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008.
Kevin has a particular interest in Children Act applications including contact and residence disputes, internal relocation and leave to remove from the jurisdiction. When instructed in care proceedings, Kevin’s primary focus is on cases involving non-accidental injury and cases with concurrent criminal proceedings. Kevin also represents people in Court of Protection proceedings and can advise regarding legal protections for vulnerable adults.
He is a regular speaker and lecturer within the United Kingdom, having recently given talks to the ALC (Association of Children Lawyers), NSPCC, NIA project and IMECE. He is on the Amnesty International speakers (on issues around death penalty and stop violence against women); he is also a regular contributor to Jordan’s Family Law and is frequently asked to comment on cases by LexisNexis. Kevin is a member of Resolution, Human Rights Lawyers Association, Association of Children Lawyers, Young Legal Aid Lawyers, Amnesty International and the Lesbian and Gay Lawyer Association.
He joined Goodman Ray in October 2006 and became a partner in June 2015.
Kevin became a Doyles Recommended Children Lawyer in May 2025, which is a testament to his hard work and dedication in the area of Family and Children Law.
Awards
In 2024, Kevin was nominated as International Family Lawyer of the Year at the Family Law Awards.
In July 2013, Kevin was awarded Outstanding Newcomer in the field of Children Law by the Association of Lawyers for Children. In the same year he was a finalist for Family Law Young Solicitor of the Year at the Jordan Family Law Awards.
Significant Reported Cases
Published Articles
- Burial of a child—letters of administration granted to special guardians (Re H (a child)), LexisNexis, 2023
- What issues do local authorities face when trying to find appropriate placements? LexisNexis, 14 January 2014
- The Hague Convention and the article 13 defence, LexisNexis, 3 June 2013
- Without notice applications and litigants in persons, LexisNexis, 9 December 2013
- Enforcement by way of committal proceedings, LexisNexis, 30 July 2013
- Court examines the rights of biological, but not legal, parents, LexisNexis, 11 February 2013
- Court of Appeal halts adoption proceedings in Vitamin D deficiency case, LexisNexis, 5 October 2012
- Adoption, public policy and integrity; Re PW: – Jordan Family Law, May 2012, volume 42, page 577
- Confidentiality in Children Cases after Doncaster MBC V Haigh – Jordan Family Law, December 2011, volume 41, page 1348
- Family Law: Court Considers Request to Disclose Details of Proceedings, LexisNexis, 4 October 2011
- The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007: Two Years On – Jordan Family Law, January 2011, volume 41, Page 76
Professional Memberships
- International Bar Association (IBA)
- Commonwealth Lawyers Association
- Resolution
- Association of Children Lawyers (ALC)
- Member of the Organising Committee of the Quality Circle in Sussex
- Ex-executive Committee of Child Abduction Lawyers Association (CALA)
- Amnesty International
Directories
- “Kevin Skinner knows everything about international family law cases. He acts for parents and children and has been involved in some of the key cutting edge cases.”
Legal 500, 2025
- “Kevin is a master tactician and very well-regarded for international children work.”
- “His breadth of experience allows him to look at the case from all angles and he really fights for his clients.”
- “He is extremely thorough, provides sound legal advice, has excellent client care skills and is exceptional in applying legal principle.”
- “Kevin shows excellent judgement in his cases, knowing which arguments will be most effective.”
- “He is highly committed to his clients and pursues their cases ferociously and with total commitment.”
- “Kevin‘s written advocacy is absolutely brilliant and on par with leading counsel.”
- “He deals with the most complex work and does it brilliantly.”
- “He is absolutely magnificent.”
- “Kevin is a big name in the field and has expertise in more than one heavyweight area of public law.”
- “Kevin is very popular with clients and really knows this area of law.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
- “Kevin Skinner is genuinely interested in his cases and has a reputation for being involved in the very biggest cases. Kevin also has a particular expertise in cross-border work.”
- “Kevin Skinner is absolutely brilliant at what he does and gets his clients to the best place he can as quickly as possible.”
- “Kevin can really cut through things and see the end goal. He is a strategist who is planning how to resolve a case from the early stages.”
- “He knows the law inside out and is quite a persuasive advocate.”
The Legal 500, 2024
- “Kevin Skinner has a wide-ranging children law practice with significant experience in cross-border work. He frequently advises on jurisdictional and relocation disputes as well as international abduction and care proceedings that have international aspects.”
- “Kevin Skinner is noted for his significant presence in public law, taking on complex cases such as domestic and cross-border care proceedings involving serious allegations of abuse, criminal behaviour and radicalisation.”
- “Kevin is really good at understanding where the important aspect of the case is and directs his efforts towards that rather than less important matters.”
- “He knows the law inside out and is quite a persuasive advocate.”
- “Kevin can really cut through things and see the end goal. He is a strategist who is planning how to resolve a case from the early stages.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024
- “Kevin Skinner is noted for his significant presence in public law, taking on complex cases such as domestic and cross-border care proceedings involving serious criminal proceedings. His expertise also covers abuse and radicalisation allegations and Hague Convention proceedings such as abduction cases.”
The Legal 500, 2023
- “His preparation, commitment to running client cases and the way he navigates cases is incredible to watch. Kevin is really dedicated and driven.”
- “Kevin Skinner is highly experienced with litigation – so can be relied on to take decisions about how to run a case including all the practicalities involved with appeals and applications. His knowledge of the law and judgments of the merits is also so sure that it is a pleasure to work with him. This is not a statement I would offer for many of my instructing solicitors.”
- “He is extraordinarily committed to his client; he’s able to build a very good empathy with clients and get the best from them.” “Kevin is always cool, calm, collected and gives clients good, no-nonsense advice.” “He is a big name in children law matters and he has great instincts.”
- “His preparation, commitment to running client cases and the way he navigates cases is incredible to watch. Kevin is really dedicated and driven.”
- “Kevin has a really good skill at being able to suss out if something is not quite right. He is also very empathetic towards the clients.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
- “An intellectually and emotionally intelligent lawyer with a very broad range of experience in all types of children work. He is unafraid to fight his client’s corner if it’s in their best interest.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
- “Kevin has a keen intellect and is a great strategist. He is also very skilled at giving difficult advice to vulnerable clients to ensure that their position is protected as much as possible.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
- “Kevin Skinner – clever, kind, humane and very, very good. He’s tactically excellent, gives spot on advice, supports clients in the toughest of corners and is an all-round star.”
The Legal 500, 2021
- “He’s kind, patient and clever and has all the qualities that you would want in someone representing you at the hardest time of your life. He’s incredibly supportive of his clients.”
Chambers and Partners, 2020
- “Kevin Skinner is the standout performer for me. He is in the biggest cases, acting on really heavy cases involving issues like forced marriage, abduction and adoption. His client base is international, and he is always in demand. I see him rising to the top.”
The Legal 500, 2020
- “Kevin Skinner is a marvel. Instantly reassuring and personable with clients from any background, he is a versatile individual who will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of the best possible outcome. His written work is exceptional and he is an excellent communicator, which is a skill that bring an edge to any case he touches.”
The Legal 500, 2019
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