Kester Armstrong
Year of call: 1982
areas of practice
synopsis
Kester Armstrong is the Head of the Family Department at Dere Street Chambers.
Kester specialises in Family Law as it relates to children. He appears in public law proceedings, appearing on behalf of local authorities, parents, family members and children’s guardians.
Kester sat as Chairman in two Independent Inquiries into the health care and treatment of Mark Towell and Sean Crone as a result of their convictions for unlawful killing and is currently undertaking a further health Inquiry arising from a homicide. He has recently undertaken a multi-agency Serious Case Review for a Local Authority following the death of a child whose name had been placed on the Child Protection Register.
Kester sits as a part-time Judge of the Mental Health Review Tribunal and the Social Entitlement Chamber.
Kester is a member of the North Eastern Circuit and Family Law Bar Association.
External review
"A highly rated family law practitioner" – Legal 500 2011
"A highly regarded childcare practitioner" – Chambers & Partners 2011
"A wily advocate" who is frequently instructed in care cases" – Chambers & Partners 2010
"Kester is admired for his record in child care proceedings, where his work is informed by a strong background in mental health law. Solicitors note that his “fantastic advocacy” builds on a thorough foundation that starts with him “listening more than he talks” during briefings" – Chambers & Partners 2008
"Practises children law exclusively and his reputation in this area is fantastic" – Chambers & Partners 2007
"A fierce intellect" – Chambers & Partners 2005
"Continues to handle children cases with assured expertise" – Legal 500 2007
