“I would not hesitate to use Alex in the future or to recommend him to others. He handled this case with aplomb”

Biography

Alex has spent his career at the common law bar, with 25 years specialist experience in family law cases. There is little he has not seen or advised on at some stage! He is affable, relaxed and reassuring and is able to quickly establish a rapport with clients putting them at ease in very stressful conditions, and instilling confidence in his ability.

Alex has extensive knowledge of the entire family law system, and a huge amount of experience dealing with difficult public and private law matters relating to both children and finances. He primarily practises in London, but appears in Family and County Courts all over the country as well as the Court of Appeal. Many of his cases involve extremely troubled families, and require multiple hearings and careful management to keep the matters progressing.

Children law (public)

Alex’s busy public law practice is focussed on child care and he predominantly represents parents. He is often consulted at a very early stage in a case in order to provide strategic overview from the outset.

Alex acts in complex cases including, but those involving allegations of non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse, fictitious or induced illness and neglect. He also has experience of dealing with cases involving parties with mental health issues. Alex has acted in cases where there are questions as to capacity, requiring the input or appointment of the Official Solicitor, and is good at representing vulnerable clients. He also represents parents appearing at the Family Drug and Alcohol Court.

Children law (private)

Alex acts in a wide range of private law children cases with national and international elements. He is regularly instructed in relation to Child Arrangement Orders and specific issue applications, for example where children should go to school or applications to change their name. He represents parents seeking Occupation Orders and Prohibitive Steps Orders, as well as injunctions.

Alex also acts in private law cases where there is an international element, for example applications for leave to remove from this jurisdiction to another country, and international child abduction cases involving Hague and non-Hague Convention countries.  He can advise on related immigration issues.

Instruct

To instruct Alex please contact Jay Dorton or Stephen Bush

Education

  • B.A.(Hons) University of Durham

Memberships

  • Family Law Bar Association

Notable Cases

LBH v Z: represented the Official Solicitor in a case involving a parent with serious mental health issues.

S v S: case involving allegations of familial sexual assault and parental alienation requiring two fact finding hearings prior to a final hearing.

W v T: lengthy complex proceedings against an implacably hostile litigant in person involving allegations of parental alienation.

LBE v A: complex care proceedings involving parents with drug and alcohol problems, a history of violence and requiring interpreters.

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