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Call: 2006

William Heckscher

Albion Chambers

Broad Street Bristol BS1 1DR

Email
  • Overview

    William has always specialised in family law and now concentrates solely on public law children matters.

  • Child Law Public

    William is an experienced family practitioner specialising in public law children matters.  He represents all parties within the spectrum of care proceedings (local authorities, parents, children etc.).

    William has experience of and regularly deals with cases involving:

    • Non-accidental injuries, including fractures, bruising, head injuries and infant death;
    • Sexual abuse;
    • Neglect;
    • Parental drug and alcohol misuse;
    • Clients with learning difficulties, including cases where the Official Solicitor is invited to act;
    • Parental mental health issues; and
    • Representation of children, including young people who are separately represented from the children’s guardian.

    High Court Cases of Particular Interest:

    • Re W – Representing the children in a case of unexplained infant death.
    • Re S – Alleged radicalisation case representing the local authority.

    Family Court Cases of Particular Interest:

    • Re G – Representing the local authority (together with leading counsel) in an application involving serious and significant sexual abuse allegations.
    • Re H – Representing the children’s guardian in a serious non-accidental injury case involving a three month old baby.  Head injuries and numerous skeletal injuries.  Significant evidence considered as to whether a commonly prescribed proton-pump inhibitor could have been a cause of the injuries.
    • Re T – Representing the father (with leading counsel) in an infant death case where both parents were in the pool of potential perpetrators.
    • Re W – Representing the father in a non-accidental injury case involving multiple fractures and head and spinal injuries.  Consideration given as to whether an underlying genetic condition could have been an organic cause for the injuries.
    • Re M – Represented a young person in proceedings where they alleged serious sexual abuse at the hands of one of the parents.  The issue of separate representation arose during the course of the fact finding hearing and the young person parted ways from the children’s guardian.
William Heckscher

Recommendations

‘William is a consistently excellent barrister for care matters. He is a calm, eloquent and persuasive advocate who always has a clear command of the case. He has an extremely thorough approach and an eye for detail.’

Legal 500 2024

‘A measured yet robust advocate. He is diligent, intellectual and able to grapple with complex issues quickly.’

Legal 500 2023 

Ranked
Legal 500 2022

“William has a vast and detailed knowledge of the law and is an extremely polished and effective advocate. Clients find him approachable and appreciate his ability to convey difficult and complicated issues. William is always professional and whether you are instructing him or against him he is fair and reasonable while always advocating for his client.”
Legal 500 2021

Education

  • LLB (Hons) University College London