Daniel Maiden

About Daniel

Daniel Maiden is a Children Law associate solicitor, navigating both public and private law matters concerning children. Daniel's expertise covers situations involving Local Authority involvement (through court proceedings or pre-proceedings) and parental separation with disputes over child arrangements.

Daniel's legal journey began in 2018, with a focus on Family Law from his final year at university. Driven by a passion for ensuring positive outcomes for children in these cases, Daniel dedicated his training contract exclusively to Family Law, specialising in child-related applications during the latter half.

Qualifying as a solicitor in July 2022, Daniel now boasts a wealth of experience across a wide range of children's issues. He takes pride in providing exceptional service to all clients, regardless of private funding or legal aid. Daniel actively involves clients in the court process, simplifying legal complexities to ensure understanding and participation.

Daniel is accredited under the Law Society's Children Law Accreditation Scheme, representing children directly or through their Guardian in court proceedings.

Beyond the legal realm, Daniel enjoys live music, travel, socialising with friends, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Awards

• Trainee Solicitor of the Year 2021 – Worcestershire Law Society Awards;
• Shortlisted for Junior Solicitor of the Year 2023 – Worcestershire Law Society Awards

Daniel Advises on Following Areas of Law

• Children Law which includes;
• Private Child Arrangements between couples separating or who have seperated;
• Public Children law where the Local Authority become involved with children; and
• Domestic Abuse and injunctive relief

Specific Areas of Expertise

• Pre-proceedings: Child Protection Conference, Child in Need support, Public Law Outline.
• Court proceedings: applications for Care, Supervision, Placement and Adoption Order. Daniel also advises on applications for Secure Accommodation Orders and Deprivation of Liberty Orders.
• Advising in cases where the most serious allegations of physical, emotional and sexual abuse have been alleged as well as controlling and coercive behaviour.
• A wealth of experience in dealing with cases where non-accidental Injuries are alleged and where the instruction of independent experts are required.

Reported Cases

• E (A Child) (Care and Placement Orders) [2023] EWCA Civ 721. A brief summary of the case is; The local authority issued care proceedings in respect of the child (E), aged 3 months in July 2022. Mother suffered from various physical health problems including fibro-myalgia and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Mother also suffered from poor mental health and had a very traumatic childhood whereby she was sexually abused by her half-brother. Mother had also formed relationships where she was the victim of domestic abuse including physical and emotional abuse including controlling and coercive behaviour, including a relationship with E’s father (F). Throughout the care proceedings, Mother applied for a psychological assessment. This application was dismissed by the Court on the basis that the Local Authority pleaded that mother led a chaotic and party lifestyle. At the time of the Final Hearing, the Court made a finding at the time of the hearing for the application for Mother to instruct a psychologist, the Local Authority had mislead the Court. The Court made final care and placement orders in respect of E, despite the aforementioned finding. These orders were appealed by Mother on the basis that the Local Authority had mislead the Court at the time of the application to instruct a psychologist and that there was a clear and identifiable gap in then evidence in the absence of a psychological assessment. The matter was heard by the Court of Appeal in June 2023 where mother’s appeal was successful on 3 of the 4 grounds. An application for permission to instruct a psychologist to undertake a psychological assessment of mother was granted. The psychological assessment made recommendations that she could care for E with a package of support provided by the Local Authority and that mother should also engage with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The Local Authority completed a further parenting assessment which recommended that mother should engage with the support identified in the psychological assessment and there could be a plan with a view to transitioning E back to M’s care.

Associations/Committees/Rep Groups

• Worcestershire Law Society - October 2022 to October 2023
• Worcestershire Junior Law Society – October 2020 to October 2021

Languages

• English