Carole
Bradstreet

Carole Bradstreet is a highly experienced Family and Childcare Lawyer with more than 24 years’ experience as a family law fee earner, having worked in family law since December 2001. She became a Fellow of CILEX in June 2007 and was granted Family Litigation Rights in January 2026. Carole is currently studying for the SQE and is progressing towards admission as a Solicitor. She is also a qualified Family Mediator and is working towards full accreditation.

Having specialised in public children law since 2011, Carole has extensive experience representing local authorities, parents, grandparents and other family members in complex and sensitive child protection matters. Her practice covers the full spectrum of public law proceedings including care proceedings, pre-proceedings work, adoption, placement orders, emergency protection orders, recovery orders, secure accommodation applications, deprivation of liberty proceedings, non-accidental injury cases, fabricated or induced illness, forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, substance misuse and cases involving international and cross-border issues. She also has significant experience of wardship proceedings and matters involving Public Interest Immunity (PII).

Carole’s background in family law extends beyond public law children work. Throughout her career she has advised clients in a broad range of private family matters including child arrangements disputes, Specific Issue Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders, Special Guardianship Orders, private law removal from jurisdiction applications, injunction proceedings, divorce and financial remedy cases. She has also acted in complex child abduction and wardship matters, including both Hague and non-Hague Convention cases.

Over the course of her career, Carole has held senior legal and management positions within local government, including Principal Lawyer, Team Manager and Assistant Head of Legal. She has established and led in-house legal teams, supervised lawyers and support staff, advised senior managers and decision-makers, managed recruitment, developed policies and procedures, and provided strategic legal advice on complex child protection matters.

Known for her calm, practical and approachable manner, Carole combines technical legal expertise with genuine compassion for those navigating challenging family circumstances. She is committed to delivering clear advice, pragmatic solutions and robust representation whilst ensuring clients feel supported and informed throughout the legal process.

Alongside her consultancy practice, Carole continues to undertake senior childcare law work for local authorities. In private practice she advises clients on divorce, financial remedy proceedings, private children disputes, injunction applications, public law proceedings and related family law matters.