Partner
AWARDS
2013 Outstanding Newcomer in the field of Children Law by the Association of Lawyers for Children
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Biography
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. He has been awarded the Law Society Family Law (Advanced) Accreditation, specialising in Child Abduction and Private Children Law. 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.
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.
DIRECTORIES
Kevin is ranked Chambers & Partners as a Leader in the Field of Cross-Border Disputes (child abduction) and recognised practitioners in public children law (care proceedings). He is also frequently mentioned in the Legal 500, and is a recommended lawyer in the prestigious Spears 500.
“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 & Partners 2022)
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.
(Legal 500 2021)
“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 & Partners 2021)
‘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‘
(Legal 500 2020)
“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 & Partners 2020)
‘…has particular expertise in alternative family structures; ‘he is able to provide clarity in what is often a complex and opaque area of law and is very much in demand’.
(Legal 500, 2018)
‘…maintains a strong practice in both public and private law matters concerning children, with a particular specialism in Hague proceedings, as well as radicalisation cases. “Kevin is an absolute pleasure to work with,” according to interviewees, who add: “He is bright, thorough, sympathetic, supportive and, above all, gets results for his clients.”
(Chambers & Partners 2019)
“He’s very knowledgeable and always gives his clients sensible, proper advice. He’s well prepared, and his advocacy is always thorough and well considered. He’s a very respected lawyer.”
(Chambers & partners 2018)
“a real highflyer” and “very dynamic” with a specialism in international abduction cases. He also has a growing reputation for public law children cases. He is known in the market for his client-facing skills, with sources saying; “clients are able to relate to him and he can build a trusting relationship very quickly”
(Chambers & Partners 2017)
‘reputation continues to go from strength to strength, with particular expertise in the law relating to alternative family structures’
(Legal 500, 2017)
“handles both public and private law children matters and is particularly noted for his cross-border work. He “shows commitment in going the extra mile and does his very best for the client.”
(Chambers & Partners 2016)
“First class”
(Legal 500, 2015)
“a rising star”
(Legal 500, 2014)
“excellent, and go[es] the extra mile”
(Legal 500, 2013)
“exemplary”
(Legal 500, 2012)
SIGNIFICANT REPORTED CASES
PUBLISHED ARTICLES
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
