Alison Leivesley

Family and Matrimonial.

Partner, Head of Family and Matrimonial.

Alison specialises in all aspects of the law relating to children. She has a particular interest in domestic abuse, forced marriage, so called ‘honour’ based violence and female genital mutilation (FGM) issues.

Alison regularly represents parents in complex care proceedings including those involving international elements; where non-accidental injury, physical abuse or sexual abuse of children has been alleged; fabricated illness; domestic abuse and cases with parallel criminal proceedings.

She is experienced in acting in private and public law children cases where there are issues of radicalisation. She also advises parents in respect of disputes about where a child lives and who child spends time with. This includes cases where one parent is seeking to relocate outside of England and Wales and cases where there is social services involvement with the family.

Alison is experienced in acting for parents where there is a dispute with treating doctors as to what treatment a child should receive, and she provides training in her fields of expertise for other professionals including lawyers, social workers, health care professionals and advice agencies.