Alison Grief

Alison is a specialist in the law relating to children. Her practice consists of approximately 80% Public Law acting for parents, children's guardians and competent children, local authorities and the Official Solicitor.

She has particular expertise in the following areas:

• infant deaths and near fatal injuries
• Complex injuries, in particular head injuries,
• fabricated/induced illness
• Sexual abuse including inter-familial and inter-generational abuse, incest, internet child pornography, sado-masochism, children who are both victim and abuser
• Running Care proceedings where there are concurrent criminal proceedings for murder/manslaughter/allowing a death/assault/child cruelty and neglect
• Adoption and Special Guardianship
• Judicial Review in relation to children's rights ie local authority duties to provide services, education and accommodation
• Private Law Children proceedings in which:-
  - allegations of abuse are raised
  - an expert (including the CAFCASS officer) need detailed cross examination
  - there is an international element

(A detailed summary of significant cases can be obtained on request)
Alison is currently Assistant Deputy Coroner for Mid Kent and Medway.

Skills

• instructed by all parties for her forensic skills. Cases frequently run into thousands of pages which include contemporaneous medical records;
• attention to detail and analysis underpin cross examination techniques of experts and lay witnesses alike, and are cited by instructing solicitors as one of their main reasons for instructing her;
• the capacity to master medical issues underpinned by regular research at the Institute of Child Health Library in order to cross examine experts in relation to their opinions and analysis.
• frequently brought into a case to 'trouble shoot' when it has become unmanageable by others, where the local authority has a conflict within its organisation, or where the children need proactive representation in order to secure the optimal Care Plan for them
• Alison's presentation in court is underpinned by her written work for which she has received particular praise from Mrs Justice Pauffley.
• Good knowledge of PII and disclosure arguments in relation to concurrent criminal proceedings
• The above is delivered in a straightforward down to earth manner which both lay and professional clients feel comfortable with

Seminars

Alison has presented numerous seminars to solicitors, most recently 'Non-Accidental Head Injuries in Children' with Dr Neil Stoodley, Consultant Paediatric Neuro-radiologist.

Other seminars have included:-

Special Guardianship Orders, Running Concurrent Care and Criminal Proceedings, Adoption Act 2002 and the Adoption Rules, Preparing Evidence for Care Proceedings for social workers and the use of Judicial Review proceedings for Children.

Notable Cases

Family

Re B (Children) (FC) [2008] UKHL 35 Junior Counsel instructed by CAFCASS as interveners

HOUSE OF LORDS CASE - CARE PROCEEDINGS - STANDARD OF PROOF - REVIEW OF RE H (Minors) (Sexual Abuse: Standard of Proof)1996] AC 563; [1996] 1 FLR 80.
Jo Delahunty QC and Alison Grief appeared in the House of Lords on Monday 19th May 2008 and Tuesday 20th May 2008 in the case of Re B Children. They were instructed by CAFCASS to intervene on behalf of the organisation in this case because of the huge implications for children arising from the Appellants' case who were urging the House of Lords to review Re H and reduce the standard of proof to a 'real possibility' test. At the conclusion of the Appellant's argument on Monday 19th May 2008 the Lords indicated that they were NOT persuaded by their arguments. Click here to read more

Re T (a Child) [2007] EWHC 455 (Fam) Sir Mark Potter (Presidence Fam) 8/3/07
Re K (Children) [2004] EWCA Civ 1181
Re K & R (Children) [2003] AC 9501013
A Local authority v C & 7 ORS [2003] AC 0105596
Instructed by the Guardian ad Litem on behalf of the child in the media reported 'Holloway Mother and Baby Unit' case.

Housing

Bristol City Council v Mousah [1998] 30 HLR 32 CA
R v LB Tower Hamlets ex p Khatun [1995] 27 HLR 465 CA

Societies

Bar Pro Bono Unit, Family Law Bar Association, Association of Lawyers for Children and Lawyers for Liberty.

Personal

Alison has two very young boys and lives out of London. She is the Chairperson of their local Pre-School.

Year of Call

Education

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Practice Areas