Private law children

In the area of law, I specialise in representing parents in complex cases (and als, relatively straightforward cases) involving children. I undertake work throughout the UK and internationally.

I have been a campaigner for victims of domestic abuse for over twenty years. Their voice, their safety and their welfare matters.

I am a barrister at St Ives Chambers in Birmingham; and also, a door tenant at Fourteen Chambers in London. I am passionate about representing my clients. Hard-work, preparation, compassion and fairness are my go-to virtues.

I deal in all matters relating to children’s proceedings.

This basically means disputes over where children live; with which parent they spend time with; what school they go to; where they can holiday and other medical and religious matters. I also specialise in international abduction cases.

It is vitally important to me that you are given a voice within the proceedings. I have sadly seen to many failings in the system and campaign for fairness, justice and equality.

I am in court representing clients pretty much every day.

I undertake remote Conferences with clients (on a one-to-one basis) on ZOOM and TEAMS. I can give urgent advice on strategy, on process and on appeals. I can undertake such Conferences on a 24/7 basis.

I ensure that the child is always the focus. That their voice can and is heard. I don’t get bullied or intimidated by an opponent and will do my absolute best to represent a client to the foremost of my ability. Trust is vitally important. Dedication and preparation are what I can offer.

Such is my expertise in this area that iIn October 2015, the international publishing house, the Little Brown Book Group published my book (co-written with Her Honour Judge Davies) on children’s law How to Represent Yourself in the Family Court. It was a best-selling in its category and in still widely used as the go-to guide for litigants in person. I thought that it was vitally important to help parents who could not afford solicitors or barristers have the best knowledge available to assist them in children court proceedings.

One 5-star reviewer called it “Brilliant book, prepared me well for court, what to have prepared, how to address the judge and the processes involved, had a child arrangement order in my favour the initial hearing. Highly recommended!”

Another 5-star reviewer exclaimed:  “Brilliant book to get you in the know “

We do what we can to help!

I have also lectured extensively in the UK and internationally.

I have advised other lawyers (and the media) about the law, advocacy, negotiation skills and family law. I speak regularly on domestic abuse to charities and domestic advise organisations. Recently speaking to international lawyers in Singapore.

I appear daily in courts all over the country in private law disputes. Sometimes in person and sometimes remotely by zoom or CVP.

I appear in Magistrates courts, County courts and the High court.

I undertake first appointments, FHDRAs, DRAs, directions appointments, fact finding hearings, and final hearings.

I also attend non-molestation appointments and occupation order hearings.

I will also just have a Conference and talk/walk you through the process if you wish to be a litigant in person.

I am regularly instructed in cases involving international parental child abduction, forced marriage, emotional abuse, allegations of sexual abuse, fabricated illness and serious physical abuse (often with linked criminal proceedings). I have developed expertise in dealing with complex medical evidence and parental alienation. I have successfully defended clients on allegations of rape, child abuse and domestic abuse.

I also frequently represent survivors of domestic abuse. Those people who have struggled to be listened to by the authorities or indeed the courts. Having come from a childhood where domestic abuse was rife, I am well-suited to represent survivors of such abuse.

I was recently instructed in a successful twelve-day fact finding hearing in respect of allegations of physical chastisement in the West Country. I have appeared in many cases where I have successfully represented fathers who were accused of sexually abusing their children. I have effectively represented a mother who was accused of not supporting contact. Within the last year, I have successfully represented parents in costs applications against the other parent, with awards of £14,000 and £5,200 respectively.

I regularly have Conferences with clients (sometimes through solicitors and often on a direct access basis) where I can advise on strategy, tactics and how best to ensure the welfare of their children.

I take instructions from solicitors and clients from all over the world.

I am considered a specialist in cases where allegation of parental alienation has been raised by one client against the other.

I am regularly instructed at all stages of proceedings, in the Family Court and High Court, including appeals. Matters where Jason has acted include fact-finding hearings containing the most serious of allegations, including sexual abuse, FGM, rape, forced marriage and cultural disputes. He has undertaken injunctions under the Family Law Act, cost applications and issues regarding change of surname, school and both internal and international relocation. I have a particular expertise in cases that involve cross family and immigration issues and complex inter-country jurisdiction aspects.

Last year I successfully concluded a complex 16-day private law children action and have expertise in cases involving the appointment of R16.4 Guidelines. I am able to provide prompt written advice in all areas of family law. I am also a specialist on PD 12J (domestic abuse) and frequently lectures on this topic to Magistrates and domestic violence advisors.

I am particularly praised by solicitors for being a very tough negotiator with a no nonsense style. I am apparently extremely popular with clients for his thorough and patient approach to family proceedings; and by my results.

I am extremely forceful (some would say, blunt) and robust in cross examination and in submissions. I can be blunt, persuasive, but always passionate and dedicated.

My case preparation is first rate and solicitors have praised me for being dedicated, passionate and skilled advocate. Clients have reported that I always “fights his client’s corner in court”, and “fight hard for justice”. I am regularly praised by clients for “listening”, “speaking in a way I understood” and “giving it to me straight. He doesn’t muck about, with clients or the other side”; “that he doesn’t get intimidated by the Judge or the other side”; “a breathe of fresh air”; a “fighter”; a “game-changer”.

Recent cases

• Disputes over which parent a child should live with

• Contact arguments

• Whether a mother could relocate from Middlesborough to Birmingham

• What school a child should attend

• Domestic abuse involving rape

• Controlling and coercive behaviour in a marriage

• Parental Alienation

• The issue of a forced marriage

• Application for leave to remove from England to the Qatar

• Female Genital Mutilation

• Non Molestation proceedings against an ex partner

• Child contact proceedings for a footballer

• Publicity and disclosure proceedings

• Committal proceedings

• International parental child abduction, Brussels II (Revised)

• Proceedings under the inherent jurisdiction

Founder and writer

I have been busy in business for over twenty years. Investing, supporting and advising. Helping set up a business (be it in alcohol, AI, or even law) is an absolute passion of mine. I have mentored many innovators and creators. Seeing them improve as individuals and owners is a wonderful experience.

I was lucky enough to work as an in-house counsel for a leading telecommunication multinational and this gave me a phenomenal insight into how business work, run and prosper. I have been able to use this insight throughout my career. I was also Head of Litigation in a previous life many years ago. This too gave me an understanding of the risks and pitfalls in business and what to learn from other people’s mistakes. Preparation is key!

I also do a little bit of writing. I have written a considerable number of articles, comment pieces and reviews. I have interviewed politicians, campaigners, writers, celebrities. It is such a wonderful experience to get their take on their lives and indeed the world we live in. I have produced theatre productions.

I have also c0-written How to Represent Yourself in the Family Court.

I am currently writing a TV drama, a radio play and a couple of books.

I write both for the press in the UK and internationally.

I also regularly appear on radio.

Legal services include:

• advice and advocacy in court and tribunal hearings;

• advice in civil claims and investigations

• expert investigation of the law;

• advice on the prospects of succeeding in your case;

• advice and advocacy in appeals;

• advice on litigation strategy;

• negotiation ;

• advice and advocacy in disciplinary proceedings;

• second opinions.

Direct Access

Direct access (sometimes called public access) is where a client can come to me directly without instructing a solicitor. It is often cheaper, quicker, and more personable.

A fee can be agreed directly with my client and a Conference (basically a chat on ZOOM or TEAMS) can be arranged within a few days (maybe sooner).

Provided your case is suitable for direct access, I accept instructions in all private law children matters. I can assist with advice on a legal problem or strategy, advocacy and representation in courts and tribunals.

I can draft position statements, case notes and draft orders.

I can advise on witness statements and evidence.

I can also advise on appeals and draft papers on appeal if necessary.

We can work together on strategy; what evidence is required and how best to set up your case for court.

I am regularly instructed to represent parents and indeed grandparents in children’s cases throughout the country.

I attend on non-molestation hearings, directions appointments, fact finding hearings and final hearings.

I can arrange a conference at short notice and can get up to speed with a case and a client is a very short period of time. Conferences will be on zoom and can be out of hours.

I can go through a case and work out what needs to be done by way of preparation and what is needed to advance the case in the best possible fashion.

I am child focused and client focused.

I can provide you with clear, expert advice for a fixed fee. I am registered with the Bar Standards Board and have professional indemnity insurance.

If you would like me to represent you on a direct access basis, you can email me directly at Jason.Hadden@stiveschambers.co.uk.

If you want to check whether your case is suitable for public access, the Bar Council has set out some guidance which sets out the details of the sort of work which a barrister is permitted to conduct without a solicitor being involved. Please click here to be taken to this guidance. If you have any queries or doubts about whether your case is suitable for public access, please do not hesitate to contact me.  

Radio

I am an experienced radio and TV broadcaster. One of my skills is thinking on my feet. For two years I was the radio lawyer on LBC in London. I gave legal advice to listeners during a live show each week on a wide range of legal issues and complaints. These ranged from questions about criminal law, disputes between parents, neighbour disputes and injunctions. The questions were completely random and great fun.

I regularly give interviews for the BBC, Talk Radio and independent commercial stations. I have given expert legal commentary on super injunctions, international copyright and sentencing of high profile celebrities.

I am also frequently asked by broadcasters to review the newspapers in a frank, and sometimes light-hearted, fashion.

In addition to my legal expertise, I have an in depth knowledge of politics, having stood as a parliamentary candidate in 2010. I provide insightful political commentary in straightforward language. I am also known for my controversial views.

Listen to some of my recent broadcasts and interviews here.  

Previous shows

Writing

I am passionate about access to justice. The cuts to legal aid have left many people without the resources, both financially and personally, to put their cases properly through the Court process which can be a particularly distressing and intimidating process.

I therefore decided to write a how-to book to provide a straightforward and concise guide for litigants in person. My co-author, Rhiannon Davies, was a family barrister for over 10 years and was appointed as a District Judge in 2016. 

One of the aims of the book is to de-mystify the legal process and put litigants in person on an equal footing, if possible, with their opponent. It encourages transparency and fairness which are crucial to the reputation of the legal profession.

The book was published in October 2015 and has been reviewed in the Law Society Gazette and the New Law Journal.

I have spoken on BBC Radio about the book and it has been positively reviewed by purchasers. For example, one review stated that the book is “engaging and appropriately pitched, its clear and user friendly content has something to offer readers of all abilities”. Another stated that “using any of the advice given in the book is easy and also effective and to the point”. 

If you would like to purchase the book, please click here.

I write legal articles and opinion pieces for the New Law Journal, the Law Society Gazette and the Legal Executive Journal. I have also written for the Times and Daily Mirror.

I have interviewed a host of public figures including Baroness Kennedy, Cherie Blair, Jeffrey Archer, Sir John Mortimer, Baroness Hale, Esther Rantzen, George Galloway, Lord Woolf, Shami Chakrabati, Angela Canning, David Soul, Constance Briscoe, Enoch Powell, Lord Faulkner, Douglas Hurd, Lord Bingham, Sunny Jacobs and Billy Moore. 

I regularly undertake book, theatre and holiday reviews for magazines. 

Purchase book here

Barefoot Lawyer

In 2008 I visited Columbia with the Law Society to monitor the human rights abuses faced by legal professionals. I was part of an international caravana of lawyers which met lawyers and took testimony from human rights defenders at risk. 

Columbia is an extremely dangerous country to be a lawyer and uphold the right of access to justice. Between 2002 and 2012, there were over 4,400 incidents against lawyers and over 400 lawyers have been killed in Columbia since 1991. On average one lawyer is killed every month.

Columbia is not alone in international countries where lawyers and human rights defenders are displaced, missing, tortured or murdered. Haiti, Iran, North Korea, Honduras and China are amongst other countries which have questionable reputations for human rights abuses against lawyers. 

As a consequence of my visit to Columbia, I set up the @tweetlawfeet campaign to raise awareness about such abuses. I have over 20,000 followers. I tweet daily about human rights abuses and wider issues which are of interest to the legal community. 

Visit our twitter page @tweetlawfeet

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