Aelred is a senior and busy member of Chambers family team. His family law practice encompasses all aspects of public and private law children work. He acts for Local Authorities, Children’s Guardians, the Official Solicitor and parents alike.
In addition, he has extensive experience and knowledge in ancillary relief proceedings. He is frequently instructed in cases where a sound understanding of the complexities around company accounts and valuations is required.
Aelred is one of Chambers ‘Pupil Supervisors’ and has mentored a number of the more Junior members of the family team through their pupillages.
Areas of Expertise
- Children Law. In the public law arena Aelred often represents parents faced with the most serious allegations of emotional, physical and sexual abuse Aelred has particular interest and an understanding of cases involving Fictitious or Induced Illness (FII) and those cases (particularly within the Asian community) where problematic cultural issues arise
- Ancillary Relief. Aelred offers sound all round expertise having represented a range of clients including professionals, the self-employed and farmers. He is equally familiar and adept at dealing with applications under Schedule I of the CA 1989 and TOLATA
Reported Cases
- Re B-M (Care Orders) EWCA Civ 205 [2009] 2 FLR 20 : Permission of Court of Appeal sought against the making of care orders in respect of Muslim children from the Pathan community placed with white western foster carers against a backdrop serious violence (murder) of a child within the extended family and so called 'honour' crimes
- Dutt v Dutt [2005] EWCA Civ 1193: Appeal to Court of Appeal for the setting aside of orders made in ancillary relief proceedings against a multiplicity of applications and a long and complex litigation history
- M v W (Non-Molestation Order: Duration) [2000] 1 FLR 107
Notable Cases
- Instructed to represent the Children's Guardian in a suspected FII case listed for 3 weeks in the High Court where the mother of the child is suspected of poisoning administered at the hospital.
- Secured findings of gang rape (perpetrated by persons known to the extended family) in respect of an Asian mother within Private Law proceedings.
- Represented self-made businessman within ancillary relief proceedings successfully resisting findings of material non-disclosure and dissipation of marital assets.
Seminars
In addition to being an Accredited Advocacy Trainer for the North Eastern circuit, Alelred also delivers external seminars to family practitioners across the region. Recent topics include:
- Transparency and the Press: Publicity in the Family Courts
- Bankruptcy and Ancillary Relief
- Lady Barber Prize for Mooting - Birmingham University, 1988
