For the 2nd year running, our family law barristers are on the Child Abduction Lawyers’ Association pro bono duty advocate rota. The CALA duty advocates scheme aims to advise and assist litigants in person in international cases in the High Court (which generally involve child abduction).
Joanna Thom and Harrison Engler represented a father pro bono in his successful appeal against a finding that he raped the mother. Rather unusually, the rape finding had been made 3 years before. In his judgment, Mr Justice Hayden gives important guidance on procedural and substantive aspects of private law fact-findings.
Siobhan Samuel has been shortlisted for ‘Pro Bono Chamber’s Professional of the Year’ at Advocate’s 2025 Bar Pro Bono awards. Since 1997, the Bar Pro Bono Awards have celebrated the pro bono achievements of the Bar in England and Wales.
We are proud to have implemented Advocate’s chambers pro bono framework during 2024 and have signed up to the framework for 2025. By doing so, we confirm our ongoing commitment to pro bono work and to improving access to justice.
We are pleased that Action for Children continues to be our chosen charity to support in 2025. Action for Children protects and supports children and young people, providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard, and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives.
Rebecca Davies acted pro bono for a mother who wished to have contact with her son after her release from prison. The case was referred to Rebecca by Not Beyond Redemption.
Siobhan Samuel joined chambers as a staff member for a 10-month contract in April. To celebrate Pro Bono Week, she discusses how becoming a casework volunteer with Advocate has helped the early stages of her legal career.
Madeleine Southey joined us as a tenant in September 2024 after successfully completing pupillage. She has a mixed practice in housing, property, probate and commercial law. To celebrate Pro Bono Week, she discusses one of her pro bono cases from the past year.
Barry McAlinden is a specialist family law barrister. He deals with all types of cases concerning children in the public and private law jurisdictions. In celebration of Pro Bono Week, he discusses one of his pro bono cases from the past year.
Max Lansman specialises in employment, housing, local government, Court of Protection and child protection law. He also maintains a mixed civil law practice. In celebration of Pro Bono Week, he discusses one of his pro bono cases from the past year.