Abimbola Badejo

Abimbola accepts instructions in public law children proceedings on behalf of local authorities, parents and children. He is very experienced at acting in care cases, particularly where there are international elements, such as guardians based in Nigeria, or Nigerian adoption orders which need to be regularised. He is able to act at short notice, and is very good at mastering the facts of a case quickly, recently dealing with an urgent application and subsequent appeal within 72 hours of instruction. 

Abimbola also advises local authorities in England that are contemplating placing children in Nigeria on aspects of Nigerian Child Rights Law and represented the interests of an authority in proceedings issued in Nigeria to regularise the placement of a child in Nigeria.

Abimbola has experience of acting for local authorities in Deprivation of Liberty applications before High Court judges and has been instructed by different authorities in this important area of law. He has also acted in cases where there are complex questions of whether medical treatment should be compelled. Abimbola is  keen to increase his practice in this area.

Abimbola’s Nigerian Law practice includes advice and assistance on aspects of Nigerian Law that impact on litigation in the United Kingdom. He provides expert advice to courts and individuals on Nigerian Succession Law, Nigerian Property Law, Nigerian Family Law and Nigerian Child Rights Law. He has provided written and oral expert evidence in County Court and High Court Proceedings in England.  Abimbola gave expert evidence in the reported cases of KN and another v RN and others [2023] EWHC 712 (Fam) W v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [2017] EWHC 1733 (Fam) and ELO v CLO (recognition of a Nigerian Adoption Order)[2017] EWHC 3574 (Fam).

Abimbola also advises local authorities in England that are contemplating placing children in Nigeria on aspects of Nigerian child rights law and represented the interests of one authority in proceedings issued in Nigeria to regularise the placement of a child in Nigeria. He obtained a Guardianship Order in  Nigeria  in respect of a child placed with Special Guardians in Nigeria by the Central Family Court in England. 

Other aspects of Nigerian Law in respect of which Abimbola has provided expert evidence in court proceedings and to local authorities include:

• Advice on the impact of Nigerian Tax Law on personal injury damages awarded in the UK

• Advice on the applicable law to prevent FGM in Nigeria

• Advice on the validity of divorce proceedings commenced in Nigeria

• Advice on the validity of marriages contracted in Nigeria

• Advice on the validity of a customary divorce in Nigeria

• Advice on the validity of Nigerian orders in International Child Abduction proceedings commenced in England

• Advice on the placement options in Nigeria in respect of care proceedings commenced in England

• Advice on the enforcement of UK court orders in Nigeria (in particular, child arrangement orders, care orders and orders made in child abduction proceedings)

• Advice on the validity of adoption orders granted in various states of Nigeria including Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Edo, Imo, Abia and Anambra State

Abimbola represents parents in private family proceedings who are involved in applications relating to children. He is a sensible and sympathetic advocate, and will advise parents carefully on the potential outcomes.

He has experience of private children proceedings in Nigeria, and will also advise on the enforcement of UK court orders in Nigeria (in particular, child arrangement orders, care orders and orders made in child abduction proceedings) and advise on the validity of adoption orders granted in various states of Nigeria including Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Edo, Imo, Abia and Anambra State.

Abimbola acts for clients dealing with the financial disputes arising out of relationship breakdown. He has experience at dealing with all stages of the process, from the First Appointment to the FDR to the Final Hearing. His experience means that he is able to advise clients realistically on the likely outcome of litigation, and to work with them to decide on a strategy for each case.

Abimbola is also experienced at dealing with the property aspects of financial disputes, particularly claims under TOLATA and is familiar with the process for pursuing these under the CPR rather than the family rules.  He is a good choice for any claim who has both civil and family claims to pursue.

Abimbola has acted in cases where there is a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 which is an area of law that neatly dovetails with his family practice. He is good at dealing with cases where there are disputes within the family and at working with clients who are experiencing significant emotional stress.

Abimbola has recently acted in a case where the Claimant claimed to be the widow of the deceased but where he was able to prove that the marriage was bigamous. As a result, she was unable to claim the higher level of maintenance under the Act. 

Abimbola has a keen interest in property and landlord and tenant law. He acts in landlord and tenants cases such as lease renewals, forfeiture claims and claims for possession on various grounds. He also acts in mortgage possession claims.

Abimbola also has experience in claims involving trusts of land, and applications under TOLATA. He is particularly requested where property disputes arise from relationship breakdown and where there are also family proceedings because of his expertise in both jurisdictions

Abimbola has considerable experience of professional regulation work and has seen the work from the perspective of the regulator and the professional.  From 2003 - 2012 Abimbola was a member of the Disciplinary and Regulatory Committees of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He was appointed Deputy Chairman in 2007 and served in that capacity until December 2012. Abimbola regularly represents Accountants and other professionals facing regulatory or disciplinary proceeding before their professional bodies.

To instruct Abimbola please contact Jay Dorton or Stephen Bush.