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Overview
Natalie Oakes was called to the Bar in 2021 and prior to that practised as a solicitor for 13 years. Natalie brings over 17 years worth of experience to her practice.
Natalie is a dedicated family barrister recognised for combining robust advocacy with a calm and empathetic approach. She has extensive experience representing clients in complex and sensitive matters. She is known for her clear advocacy, strategic thinking and measured approach. Natalie is committed to achieving fair, practical outcomes while guiding clients through emotionally challenging situations with professionalism and care.
Natalie accepts instructions in all areas of public and private law children matters.
Natalie also accepts instructions from local authorities in appeals in the Special Educations Needs Tribunal.
Natalie was recently presented with a “Red Bad’ a recognition of excellence for her outstanding contribution, exceptional work and dedication to a long running public law matter representing the children alongside her leading counsel.
Children - Public & Private Law
Public Law
Natalie accepts instructions on behalf of local authorities, parents, children and intervenors in all aspects of public law proceedings from urgent hearings to contested complex multi-day composite final hearings. Natalie undertakes work in adoption proceedings, discharge of care orders proceedings, applications under the Inherent Jurisdiction, wardship and forced marriage protection orders. Natalie prides herself on having a calm, measured and precise approach to her cases whilst also being able to forcefully advocate on behalf of those who instruct her. Natalie has a confident and focused approach and prides herself in her forensic ability to approach each case.
Natalie has undertaken the FLBA vulnerable witness training and is regularly instructed on behalf of vulnerable clients especially those with cognitive deficits and difficulties in giving providing instructions.
Private Law
Natalie accepts instructions from parents, intervenors and the children in private law disputes. Natalie is an experienced advocate with a substantial breadth of experience in family law.
Education Law and Special Educational Needs
Natalie undertakes work acting for local authorities nationwide in the Special Educational Needs Tribunal.
Notable Cases
- X and Y (Care Proceedings: Publication of Judgment: Criticism of Expert Witness), Re [2026] EWFC 132 (10 June 2026)
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/HCJ/2026/132.html - X and Y (Care Proceedings: Fact Finding: Death of a Child: Expert Evidence), Re [2025] EWFC 132 (19 November 2025)
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/HCJ/2025/132.html - A Hospital Trust v P & Ors [2024] EWHC 313 (Fam) (15.02.2024)
Led by Michael Gration KC, on behalf of the child, on an application made in the High Court for declarations that it was not in the best interests child for life sustaining treatment to be continued. - Placement Order: sibling contact order- s26 ACA 2002 [2025] EWFC 199 (B) (09 May 2025)
Acting on behalf of the local authority whereby an order was made for post adoption contact between siblings. The order was not opposed by the local authority showing a commitment to maintaining the sibling bond and relationship post adoption. - Re F
Complex case acting on behalf of a Father is public law proceedings led by Michael Jones KC. The composite final hearing lasted 12 days. - Re O
Complex public law proceedings acting on behalf of the children led by Frances Heaton KC extremely complex matter with numerous experts called with a variety of disciplines. - Re S
Natalie was instructed on behalf of the children in a complex matter against opposing leading counsel for each of the parents. Given the issues Natalie did not feel the need to have leading counsel and was able to represent her clients. The orders sought on behalf of the local authority and supported by the children’s guardian were made and endorsed by the court.
Associations
Family Law Bar Association
Education
LLB (Hons), Lancaster University
LPC, The College of Law, Birmingham
Prescribed Information
Natalie is a practising mediator and barrister who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Natalie can be found here. Natalie’s clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that she currently provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Natalie to undertake Mediation work for a fixed fee. A deferred fee option may be available in suitable cases; please contact Natalie’s clerks for more information. Where available, Court and Tribunal services are most commonly undertaken for a fixed fee or a brief fee plus additional refresher days. Advisory work, including paperwork and conferences, are most commonly charged at an hourly rate although fixed fees are available. Where available, Natalie will typically return paperwork within 21 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales.
