Alison Ball KC

Practice Overview

• Children (Private Law)
• Children (Public Law)
• Court of Protection
• International Family Law
• Mediation
• Other Areas of Expertise

  Human Rights

  Cases involving the Press, Special Advocates and Terrorism

• What the Directories Say

  "Has a great eye for detail." Tier 3 - Legal 500, 2021

  Known for her representation of local authorities in public law cases involving allegations of domestic violence and abuse. She additionally handles cases concerning the wardship of vulnerable children. "She is a very steady pair of hands who brings vast amounts of experience to her work. She isn't fazed by anything, and brings a calming and technically brilliant perspective to even the most complex of cases." Chambers and Partners, 2019

  "Her attention to detail is phenomenal." Tier 3 - Legal 500, 2019 

  Known for her representation of local authorities in public law cases involving allegations of domestic violence and abuse. Additionally handles cases concerning wardship of vulnerable children. "Tenacious and thorough, she uses her broad reserves of knowledge to the client’s benefit." Chambers and Partners, 2017

  "Highly experienced in complex care proceedings." Legal 500, 2016

  "Tenacious, thorough and uses her broad reserves of knowledge for the clients' benefit." Chambers and Partners, 2016

  "She has experience and gravitas that can't easily be acquired." Chambers and Partners, 2016

  "A real pleasure to work with."  Legal 500, 2015

  "Her client care, her thoroughness, her preparation and her advocacy are all excellent." Chambers and Partners, 2015

  "Her depth of knowledge and ability to master the most complicated of details in a complex case are impressive." Chambers and Partners, 2015

  "Incredibly committed, meticulous and tenacious." Legal 500, 2014

  Founder of the set and a long-term joint head of chambers. She brings decades of family law experience to her Court of Protection practice. "A delightful, exceptional senior barrister." Chambers and Partners, 2014

  "Complex private and public children law cases are the bread and butter of Alison Ball QC. A thoroughly seasoned performer, she is lauded for the fact that "she marshals facts really nicely and has a very good and effective style." Chambers and Partners, 2012

• Cases

  A (No. 2) (Children: Findings of Fact) [2019] EWCA Civ 1947; A Local Authority v M, F, E, W and XYZ [2019] EWHC 1447 Fam 

  Plymouth CC v Wilkins, Vanselow & Others [2019] EWFC 70 

  J v B (Ultra-Orthodox Judaism: Transgender) [2017] EWFC 4 -

  Re R (Closed Material Procedure: Special Advocates:funding) [2017] EWHC 1793 Fam

  Re XP (A Child) [2014] EWHC 4524  - death of child/care proceedings

  City and County of Swansea and XZ and YZ and the Press, Media and Ors [2014] EWHC (Fam) 212 - press injunction re mother's criminal trial

  In the Matter of Z (A Child) P,D,X,Y,Z [2014] EWHC 2355 (Fam) - case with "uniquely difficult logistical and practical" problems: LIP, non-English speaking imprisoned father: abuse of mother and children: police intervention: fair trial: limitation of PR

  Re X and Others (Deprivation of Liberty) [2014] EWHC COP 25; [2014] EWHC COP 37 - Post Cheshire West hearings by President

  London Borough of Lambeth, SD, SM, SD, Child A and Child B [2013] EWHC B22 (Fam) - permission to withdraw proceedings: child with "unusual" skull

  M (Children) [2013] EWCA Civ 1147 - order for no direct contact: need for examination of appropriate contact centres

  BCC v FZ and AZ and HZ [2012] EWHC 1154 (Fam) - PII and non-disclosure to parents: special advocates

  In the Matter of Q (A Child) [2011] EWCA Civ 1610 - application to set aside adoption order

  Kent CC v A Mother, F, X,Y, Z and IR [2011] EWHC 402 (Fam) - care proceedings: disclosure, learning disability

  As above [2011] EWHC 1267 (Fam) - Costs

  Re S (Transfer of Residence) [2010] 1FLR 1785; Re S (A Child) [2010] EWCA Civ 219; In the Matter of S [2010] EWCA Civ 325; Re TE and SH and S [2010] EWHC 192 (Fam); A Local Authority v TE and SH and S [2010) EWHC B2 (Fam); Warwickshire CC v TE SH and S EWHC B19 (Fam). - Intractable contact

  Re T (Wardship: Review of Police Protection Decision) No. 1) [2010] FLR 1017; No 2 [2010] 1 FLR 1026.

  Re T (Impact of Police Intelligence) [2010] 1 FLR 1048.

  In the Matter of A Local Authority v C (By Litigation Friend the Official Solicitor and Others) [2010] EWHC 978 (COP) - deprivation of liberty

  In the Matter of L-B (Children) [2010] EWCA Civ 1463 - care proceedings – welfare decisions

  A Local Authority v SB, AB and MB [2010] EWCA 1744 Fam [2010] 2 FLR 1203 - decision to undergo surgery – care proceedings

  D McG v Neath Port Talbot and Others [2010] EWCA Civ 821 - learning disability

  K v L [2010] EWCA Civ 125 - non-financial conduct in ancillary relief proceedings

  In Re B (A Child) (2009) FC [2009] UKSC 5 - grandparent carer/ natural father – residence

  City of Westminster v IC (by his Friend the Official Solicitor) and KC and NN [2008] 2 FLR 267 - incapacitated adult: nullity

  S. Borough Council v LS, IS, ES and JL [2008] EWHC 3013 (Fam) - Hague: Brussels 11r – trafficked child

  M v F and Others [2008] EWHC] 2049 - Hague Convention

  Re LM (Reporting Restrictions: Coroner’s Inquest) [2008] 1FLR 1360 [2007] EWHC 1902 (Fam)

  Re U (Care Proceedings: Criminal Conviction: Refusal to Give Evidence) [2006] EWHC 372 (Fam) [2006] 2 FLR 690

  X City Council v MB, NB and MAB (by his litigation friend the Official Solicitor) [2006] EWHC 168 (Fam) [2006] 2 FLR 968 - incapacitated adult

  A Local Authority v W, L, W, T and R (by the Children's Guardian) [2005] EWHC 1564 (Fam) [2006] 1 FLR 1 - publicity

  Re C (Abduction: Settlement) [2005] 1 FLR 938

  Cannon v Cannon [2005] 1 FLR 169

  Re C (Abduction: Settlement) [2005] 1 FLR 127

  Re C (Abduction: Interim Directions: Accommodation by Local Authority) [2004] 1 FLR 653

  Re S (A Child) (Abduction: Interim Directions) [2003] All ER (D) 238 (Dec), [2003] EWHC 3065 (Fam)

  A County Council v K, D and L [2005] EWHC 144 (Fam) [2005] 1 FLR 851

  Walley v Walley [2005] All ER (D) 255 and also at [2005] 3 FCR 35

  Re M (Children) (Transfer of Proceedings to High Court) [2005] All ER (D) 305 (Nov)

  Re A (Temporary Removal from Jurisdiction) [2004] EWCA Civ 1587 [2005] 1 FLR 639

  A Local Authority v S, W and T (by his Guardian) [2004] 2 FLR 129

  Re ET (Serious Injuries: Standard of Proof) [2003] 2FLR 1205

  Hadjimilitis (Tsalviris) v Tsalviris [2003] 1 FLR 81 (as Recorder) [Contested Divorce/costs]

  Re A & D (Non-Accidental Injury: Subdural Haematomas) [2002] 1 FLR 337

  Re T & A (Children) (Risk of Disclosure) [2000] 1 FLR 859 [Guardian confidentiality]

  Re E (Care Proceedings: Social Work Practice) [2000] 2 FLR 25

  McGladdery v McGladdery (1999) 2 FLR 1102 [Financial Provision]

  Re RJ (Fostering: Person Disqualified) [1999] 1 FLR 605

  Re RJ (Foster Placement) [1998] 2 FLR 110

  Lincolnshire County Council v RJ V intervening [1998] 2 FLR 82

  Re C (Detention: Medical Treatment) [1997] 2 FLR 180

  Re F (A Minor) [1997] EWCA Civ 1044 [Re a Guardian]

  Re B (Children Act Proceedings) (Issue Estoppel) [1997] 1 FLR 285 and at [1997] 2 All ER 29

  Re M and R (Child Abuse: Evidence) [1996] 2 FLR 195

  Re T and E (Proceedings: Conflicting Interests) [1995] 1 FLR 581

  C v C (Financial Provision: Non-Disclosure) [1994] 2 FLR 272

  Re C (Financial Provision: Leave to Appeal) [1993] 2 FLR 799

  Re A and W (Minors) [1992] 2 FLR 154