Profile
"...lauded for his tactical and analytical approach to cases".
Chambers & Partners 2009
"... a very intelligent man with a distinctive style, and an eye for detail".
Chambers & Partners 2008
As head of the family team Jonathan Furness naturally specialises in Family Law, with a particular expertise in child care (including sexual abuse, 'shaken' babies and infant deaths), being regularly instructed for Local Authorities, Guardians and parents alike. His skill and experience in financial relief cases is also widely recognised.
Chambers & Partners Guide to the Legal Profession 2007 recognises his "'gentle style',... not to be understimated because he 'knows exactly what he wants and gets it'".
Jonathan's practice also incorporates Care Standards work, emanating from the National Assembly for Wales.
Fields of Work
Child Care
- Possibility of underlying metabolic disorder causing subdural haematoma and retinal hemorrhages
- Mother alleging paedophilia by Foster Carers, expert evidence on home education (epileptic child with learning difficulties), and behaviour caused by either organic brain disease or inconsistent parenting. 8 experts, including neurologist
- Shaken-baby syndrome, 16 week old, brain damage. Several possible perpetrators, criminal trial
- Salt contamination, 14 week old baby
- Care proceedings complicated by concurrent decision by police to charge both parents with murder of sibling 2 years prior
- Sexual abuse by 16 year-olds on younger children
- Infant death
Ancillary Relief
Care Standards for National Assembly
- Closure of two nursing homes due to financial and other mismanagement
- Refusal to register a nursing home manager - human rights issues
