Name:
Annette Barnes
Year of Call:
2007
Inn:
Lincoln's Inn
Languages spoken:
Twi
Ga
Area of Expertise:
Family – children
Family – other
Public Law
Biography
Annette is an experienced, dual-qualified legal practitioner. She is admitted to the Bar of England and Wales and also enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ghana. Following her call to the Bar in Ghana, she gained valuable prosecutorial experience, independently conducting cases before both the Superior and Lower Courts on behalf of the Attorney General. 

Annette is qualified to accept public access instructions and has been accredited for public access instructions since 2022.

Practice Overview
Annette is a family law specialist with substantial experience across the full spectrum of private law and public law children’s proceedings, financial remedies and applications under the Family Law Act 1996.

Annette is instructed to appear at all levels of the Family Court including the High Court and is confident in handling complex and sensitive matters across her areas of practice.

Private Law
Annette is instructed in all areas of private children law, including applications for Child Arrangements Orders, covering both residence and contact, as well as variation and enforcement proceedings. Her experience spans all stages of litigation, from First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointments (FHDRA) to directions hearings. She also has expertise in pursuing and defending against applications for Prohibited Steps Orders and Specific Issue Orders. Annette frequently represents clients at fact-finding hearings involving allegations of domestic abuse, as well as at contested final hearings.
Public Law
Annette has experience of representing parents in public law proceedings, particularly in cases involving substance and alcohol misuse leading to the neglect of children. She has successfully represented clients at various interim stages, including case management hearings and issues resolution hearings.
Finance
Annette is regularly instructed in financial remedy proceedings and is confident in representing clients at all stages, including First Appointments and Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR) hearings. To date, she has successfully assisted parties in reaching final settlements through her strong negotiation skills, avoiding the need for contested final hearings. Annette also has experience in cases involving matrimonial assets located in foreign jurisdictions, including matters concerning the enforceability of UK judgments abroad.
International
Child Law
Annette is building a practice that encompasses various aspects of international children law. She has been instructed in private children’s proceedings involving an international element, including applications for leave to permanently remove a child from the jurisdiction. She also has experience dealing with wardship proceedings, invoking the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court. Annette welcomes instructions with an international element.
Family Law Act 1996
Annette has extensive experience in applications brought under the Family Law Act 1996. She regularly represents clients seeking or opposing non-molestation and occupation orders at all stages of proceedings. Her work includes representation at fact-finding hearings and contested final hearings under these applications.
Memberships
  • The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
  • Ghana Bar Association (GBA)
  • Family Law Bar Association (FLBA)
  • British Ghanaian Lawyers Union (BGLU)
  • Women Barristers’ Hub (Her Bar)
Education
  • LLM in Dispute Resolution [Distinction], The City Law School, City University of London
  • Qualifying Certificate in Law, Ghana School of Law [Post Call]
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Professional & Legal Skills (BVC), Inns of Court School of Law, City University
  • LLB Hons (2:1), London South Bank University
Awards
  • City Law School Prize in Civil Dispute Resolution Options (2017/18)
  • City Law School Prize in International Criminal Law (2017/18)
Achievements
Annette was selected by Hogan Lovells (UK) to participate in their 2017 Africa LLM Students Vacation Scheme, becoming the first student from City University to be chosen since the programme’s inception. She was also selected by the firm to write an official testimonial about her experience on the scheme.

Following her participation in the Cumberland Lodge Family Law Bar Association (FLBA) programme, Annette was selected to submit a write-up on one of the day’s events for the Summer 2025 edition of
Family Affairs, the newsletter of the FLBA.

Interests
Annette regularly volunteers as a judge for the National Speed Mooting Competition, a role she has taken on since 2022. She is passionate about the competition’s mission, and she enjoys supporting aspiring advocates by helping them develop their advocacy skills through constructive feedback and encouragement.

Outside of her professional commitments, Annette is a devoted mother who enjoys spending quality time with her children. She also loves travelling, swimming, dancing and going for long walks.