Hannah Read

About Hannah

Hannah is a specialist childcare solicitor with over six years’ experience in public children law proceedings. As a member of the Law Society Children Panel, Hannah represents parents, children, guardians, and extended family members in complex care proceedings and child protection matters.

Hannah regularly advises and represents clients in cases involving serious safeguarding concerns, including allegations of non-accidental injury, neglect, emotional harm, and issues relating to social services intervention. Hannah has experience in complex non-accidental injury cases and has achieved successful outcomes in matters where children have remained within their family network following contested proceedings.

Hannah’s experience also includes representing guardians and local authorities, providing herwith a broad understanding of the different perspectives involved in public law litigation. Hannah has been involved in a number of reported cases. 

Hanna is known for providing clear, practical advice alongside compassionate client care during what are often highly emotional proceedings. Hannah undertakes advocacy personally where appropriate and also works closely with highly experienced specialist barristers to ensure clients receive the strongest possible representation in complex matters.

As Head of the Derby Team, Hannah plays an active role in the development and support of colleagues across the department. Hannah works closely with the Regional Director to assist with team management, mentoring, and the delivery of training at team meetings, with a particular focus on developments in public children law and best practice within care proceedings

Outside of work, Hannah enjoys spending time with her horse, running, and reformer Pilates. These interests provide a welcome balance to the demands of public children law and reflect the discipline, resilience, and commitment that she brings to practice.

Notable Cases

Hannah has been involved in a number of significant and reported public law children cases, including matters concerning allegations of non-accidental injury, threshold disputes, removal of children, and complex welfare assessments. These cases have involved detailed consideration of medical evidence, expert opinion, and the proportionality of state intervention in family life.

Hannah has particular experience in cases where serious injuries to children have been alleged and has successfully represented clients in proceedings resulting in children remaining within the care of their family members following contested hearings.

Reported cases include:

• A LOCAL AUTHORITY -V- W -v- M – Hannah represented a mother in highly complex and protracted care proceedings spanning a considerable period of time.
• RE: Q (Care Order at Home : Exceptional Reasons) - Hannah acted for a child in complex proceedings in which the final hearing determined whether the case was exceptional in its facts such that the child should remain at home subject to a care order, rather than a supervision order.

Further details of reported cases and judgments can be provided upon request.

Panel Memberships and Accreditations

• Children’s Panel Accredited – (May 2022)