Family Law

Spotlight
Court of Protection Practice 2026
'Court of Protection Practice goes from strength to strength, having...
Jackson's Matrimonial Finance Tenth Edition
Jackson's Matrimonial Finance is an authoritative specialist text...
Spotlight
Authors
Author
Bernadette joined Birketts in 2004. She is a Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution Team and undertakes a range of contentious work in addition to her specialist area of contentious trust and probate.
Author
Alison has a broad-based practice which covers all areas of litigation concerning children ? domestic and international. She represents clients in the Court of Protection including young adults, adults, and more elderly family members. She has extensive experience in dealing with all types of abduction cases and these include disputes around contact and access; and here she is sensitive of the need to support children's relationships with both parents in those cases where a breakdown has occurred. Alison advises in summary proceedings on cross-jurisdictional disputes in all countries irrespective of whether they are governed by the Hague Convention. And she also has experience of dealing with an area that is increasing in importance ? that is situations involving new media and internet abuse.

She focuses always on providing her clients with solutions best suited to their situations, and in these takes a practical, down-to-earth approach. Clients have the security of knowing that her experience and judgement ensures she will act in their best interests. Despite being a most open and easily approachable person Alison will pursue a most vigorous contest if required, notwithstanding her awareness that in some cases an optimum solution might require concessions.

She is regularly instructed in complex care proceedings, both in public and private law cases. She is experienced in representing local authorities, children (by their Children's Guardian or separately in their own right), and parents ? more particularly those with challenging cognitive, psychological or psychiatric histories or difficulties. Additionally she is much practiced in cases requiring expert opinion from the medical profession and psychiatrists.
Latest articlesrss feeds
Violence against women and girls accounts for significant proportion of recorded crime, new strategic threat assessment finds
At least one in five police-recorded crimes relates to public protection threats, including domestic abuse, sexual offending and child-on-child abuse, according to the first Strategic Threat and Risk...
Domestic abuse survivors to receive stronger tenancy protections under Social Housing Bill
Domestic abuse survivors will receive stronger legal protections to remain in their social homes while perpetrators are removed, under proposed amendments to the Social Housing Bill.The measures,...
NSPCC reports record number of contacts about children experiencing domestic abuse
The NSPCC has reported a record number of contacts from adults concerned about children experiencing domestic abuse, with its Helpline handling 8,448 child welfare contacts on the issue in 2025/26.The...
Women's Aid responds to new ONS Crime Survey
Farah Nazeer, CEO of Women’s Aid has responded to the new headline statistics from the ONS Crime Survey for England and Wales. She says:“We are deeply troubled to see today’s ONS figures...
NSPCC reports 10% rise in child protection concerns in sport
The NSPCC has reported a 10% increase in contacts from adults raising child protection concerns in sporting settings, with sexual abuse and exploitation the most frequently reported concerns.The...
View all articles