Philosophy BA (Hons), University of Sheffield
Bar Professional Training Course, The College of Law, Birmingham
Graduate Diploma in Law, The College of Law, Manchester
Alex joined Chambers having practised in London since 2013. During this time Alex undertook instructions in Crime, Family, and Regulatory Law before specialising in Family Law. Alex remains a Level 2 Prosecutor and has previously undertaken a secondment to the General Pharmaceutical Council. Alex’s approach is to provide realistic advice tailored to the client in an accessible way. This is backed up by strong advocacy skills in court and an in depth knowledge of the law. His experience of a broad range of legal areas makes him well placed to understand the interplay between different proceedings and allow him to provide a holistic view of cases.
Local Authorities
Within the field of Family Law, Alex has gained substantial experience acting for parties, Alex being especially sought after by local authorities for his robust but fair presentation of a case. Alex has particular experience in cases which turn on extensive medical or police disclosure. Alex has gained extensive experience of proceedings which involve DOLs and complex care planning decisions particularly those involving children with additional needs.
Parents
When instructed for parents Alex combines an approachable attitude with thorough preparation and shrewd advice. Alex is confident and experienced with cases involving complex evidence and substantial contested hearings. Alex has significant experience acting for particularly vulnerable clients.
Private Law
Alex accepts instructions in Private Law children matters. Alex’s knowledge of related areas of law allows him to provide advice to those who instruct him as to the interplay between sets of proceedings. Alex can provide advice at any stage of proceedings and is able to provide early advice as to the likely course of proceedings.
• 10 day fact-finding and 5 day final hearing for a local authority involving a novel non-accidental injury to an 8 month old. The case required extensive medical evidence to be called and involved a pool of perpetrators. Intermediaries were also required due to the vulnerabilities of some parties. All findings made.
• 5 day fact-finding and final hearing for a local authority involving allegations of physical abuse. Some Respondents appearing in person having dispensed with the services of their legal teams on the 1st day of the hearing. This case also involving linked wardship proceedings for one of the children. All findings made.
• 3 day final hearing for a local authority following adjourned final hearing. The case saw the Secretary of State for the Home Department as an intervenor when the local authority sought to bring the mother into the country for the purpose of parenting assessment.
• 5 day final hearing for a local authority following previous counsel’s services being dispensed with mid-hearing. Successful limiting of costs to 1 day and providing advice to the local authority in respect of care planning regarding children with additional and complex needs.
• 10 day fact-finding and final hearing for a local authority in which the local authority issued proceedings following chronic neglect to ensure that the correct Court or Protection safeguards could be applied to the young person moving forward, the young person having disabilities which required specialist provision.
• 8 day fact-finding for a local authority in which extensive controlling and coercive behaviour was alleged. The local authority relying on extensive police disclosure and the mother requiring intermediary and interpreter initially denied the matters they reported. Findings made.
• 5 day final hearing for a mother who herself had significant learning difficulties and did not oppose care plan of adoption but sought post adoption contact. Alex was specifically instructed due to his extensive experience of representing vulnerable people.
• 10 day final hearing for a father who was seeking leave to oppose an adoption in respect of a child placed with foster carers under a special guardianship order in previous proceedings.
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