“This was hugely disappointing meeting about the Suspected Inflicted Head Injury Service (SIHIS) by the Department for Education.

From a legal / family court perspective, the information remains vague and the contradictions in what we are being told remain strong. The new message emerging - “this is a clinical pilot and not a legal pilot”. With the Family Justice Council involved, Mr Justice Williams leading things and numerous references to how the pilot will benefit the courts; I leave it to you to form your own view on whether this is just a clinical pilot!

What many had hoped would be a worthwhile Q&A session today, was in reality brief; responses lacked substance and very few questions were answered.

Professor Jo Delahunty KC kicked off the questions and had her initial 3 answered. As for me I followed after Jo, but despite submitting 5 and there being plenty of time, only the first was addressed and the others ignored. Not many more were then addressed before the meeting was swiftly ended. I guess as practitioners we will await the next instalment of this saga and hope that our concerns are addressed soon!”

Max Konarek Partner and Joint Head of the Family & Childcare Department GT Stewart Solicitors

Max is a specialist Child Protection Solicitor and is accredited on the Law Society’s Children Panel. He represents clients based in the UK and Worldwide.

His experience extends to cases that include the death of a child, shaken baby allegations, non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse, Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in all levels of Court from the County Court to the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Max has a particular interest in representing clients that are neurodiverse, vulnerable adults with learning difficulties or disabilities (including those where the Official Solicitor has become involved), foreign nationals, clients from the Romany Gypsy and Travelling communities.

View Max’s full profile here

Max can be contacted – m.konarek@gtstewart.co.uk