Barrister
‘A gifted advocate, who is very good at dealing with highly vulnerable people. He has a wonderful way with words and also a very fine sense of humour.’ Chambers UK 2025
About
Nairn Purss is a former social worker who focuses his practise almost entirely upon public law Children Act 1989 proceedings. His caseload includes matters relating to non-accidental injury, sexual abuse, female genital mutilation and forced marriage, amongst others.
Practice overview
Nairn has practised exclusively in Family law since his call to the Bar in 1999 and the last 21 years, has focused primarily on public law children cases. Nairn represents parents, children, interveners and the local authority in cases of a generally grave and medically complex nature. Many cases have significant ethnic and cultural elements requiring cultural, religious and linguistic barriers to be understood, contextualised and thereafter accurately conveyed to the court. Of note are many cases involving members of EU member states. In particular, Nairn has acted in a number of lengthy and complex High Court cases involving Romanian nationals involving allegations of international child trafficking.
Nairn is regarded by instructing solicitors as a specialist advocate in cases requiring highly skilled and delicate cross-examination, especially in cases involving serious non-accidental injury (NAI) and the sexual, physical and mental abuse of children.
Prior to his career at the Bar, Nairn was a Social Worker for 13 years both in Glasgow and in London. Although aspects of this work were generic, he had an orientation toward child protection and mental health, working with families mostly on a preventative basis to enable them to function sufficiently within their communities.
Within the arena of public child care law comes the most acute difficulties manifest in individuals and communities. It is not an arena for the faint hearted and requires a diversity of skills. Nairn remains intrigued by the capacity of the law to scrutinise, excavate and challenge both the complexity of the individual and the regulatory structures of our society, and with equanimity, attempt to uphold the principles of fairness and justice on behalf of both. That’s what makes the law so fascinating.
Recent cases
- Nairn Purss acted on behalf of the child’s Guardian. The local authority lodged an appeal against the ruling by HHJ Tolson KC in respect of an application for a Placement Order for the youngest of three children, the subject child being under 12 months old at the point of judgment. HHJ Tolson KC refused the application for a Placement Order and instead made a Care Order, setting out that there should be significant ongoing contact between the child, her parents, and siblings.
- A local authority recently instructed Nairn to act as leading counsel in an alleged shaken baby case. The case involved highly complex medical evidence, and a plethora of experts were cross-examined. The fact-finding hearing lasted 11 days, and both parents were represented by Queen’s Counsel.
- Nairn represented five children in a complex NAI case, which included allegations of 6 separate fractures to a six-month-old baby. The case involved many medical documentation and medical experts from numerous disciplines. The fact-finding hearing alone lasted 18 days.
- Nairn remains Instructed for the mother of a child born at 21 weeks who remained in intensive care for some months. The case involved complex health issues with extensive political and human rights connotations. A latter complexity arose due to the Local Authority’s cost to fund the level of support identified as needed by the child and the mother. The NHS/CCG were joined as a party to proceedings. Duly, the child became a child of the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court and the case was transferred to the President of the Family Division. Following a lengthy legal argument, the High Court invited the LA and CCG to provide the maximum level of support to the mother and child, which, to their great credit, they duly did.
- Nairn has acted on all sides in many complex sexual abuse cases and/or sexual assault cases. This has included, asserting allegations on behalf of local authorities involving multiple alleged perpetrators. Nairn recently acted for a local authority in a lengthy High Court matter involving alleged: ‘coercion’, ‘Forced Marriage’ ‘FGM‘ and ‘rape’. Three parties were represented by Queens Counsel. In addition, he has recently acted for a mother with learning difficulties in a case involving allegations of historical sexual abuse by the stepfather on her teenage daughter. Nairn has also represented children in cases involving complex sexual abuse allegations where the children have been required to give evidence after a RE: W(Children)(Abuse: Oral evidence) [2010] 1FLR 1485 hearing required the same.
Directories
‘He is extremely skilled at identifying and focussing on relevant issues. His written submissions are very high calibre, as is his oral presentation.’
‘He’s very good at cross-examining experts.’ Chambers UK 2025
‘Nairn is a caring and engaged advocate. In his advocacy, he is precise and robust but measured.’ Legal 500 2025
‘Nairn is a highly experienced, articulate and clever barrister with a remarkable eye for detail, a deep understanding of human nature, a passion for advocacy and a tenacious style.’ Legal 500 2024
‘A hard-working, thoroughly decent and highly approachable advocate. He knows his stuff and doesn’t get pushed around.’
‘He was a social worker in the past and that shines through in his client care.’
‘He’s just so brilliant on the preparation front.’ Chambers UK 2024
‘Highly knowledgeable and always willing to give his time and expertise if you need to run things by him. He’s a robust advocate who is excellent with vulnerable clients.’ Chambers UK 2023
Education
Jordanhill College Strathclyde University – CQSWGoldsmiths College London University.- BA ( Hons)Westminster University. – Dip LawInns Of Court College of Law- BVC
Memberships
Client Testimonials
‘Nairn is an extremely experienced, approachable and passionate barrister who I would always trust to represent my clients. He is thorough and meticulous, with a keen attention to detail, and his advocacy is exceptional. His client care is incomparable, he is empathetic and he takes time to listen to his clients, understanding always that he is working with people going through possibly the most distressing time in their lives.’ Fauzia Mumani, Solicitor, 2024
‘Nairn Purss is a force to be reckoned with when he is on his feet in court, he is impressive in cross-examination and meticulous in his case preparation. His client care is phenomenal, he is compassionate and makes time to listen to clients which is very important when dealing with sensitive and highly emotive children law matters.’ Stavri Petrou, Solicitor
