FAMILY LAW: CHILDREN'S LAW
Overview
Mai-Ling's practice includes residence and contact disputes, including internal and international relocation, disputes between same sex couples, fact-finding hearings and cases of parental alienation and recruitment of children against a parent by care givers. Mai-Ling has particular expertise in issues relating to surrogacy and assisted reproduction cases in which issues of legal parentage arise.
Mai-Ling has particular expertise in care proceedings involving allegations of non-accidental injury with complex medical issues or disputed medical evidence, sexual abuse (including false allegations of sexual abuse), factitious illness and vulnerable adults. She also has expertise in cases involving forced marriage, FGM and radicalisation.
Examples of recent cases include fractures to an 8-week-old baby, life-limiting injuries to a 6-week-old baby, sexual abuse allegations including a paedophile ring and inter-sibling sexual abuse.
Mai-Ling has recently undertaken a number of cases involving breaches of the Human Rights Act 1998.
She frequently advises in family proceedings concerning immigration and nationality issues as well as international adoptions, transnational care and child placement arrangements.
Notable Cases
ZH v HS & Ors (Application to Revoke Adoption Order) [2019] EWHC 2190 (Fam)
Application by a child's birth mother (ZH) to revoke an adoption order made in 2016 in relation to T, now aged 4.
PW and Others v Luton Borough Council [2017] EWHC 3028 (Fam)
The Legal Aid Agency was ordered to pay the claimants' increased costs which arose as a result of the LAA failing to make a decision as to the applicability of the statutory charge when it could and should have.
SW & TW (Human Rights Claim: Procedure) (No1) [2017] EWHC 450 (Fam)
Proceedings concerning two siblings and involving cross-applications for private law orders, an application by the local authority for public law orders and applications brought under section 7 of the Human Rights Act 1998 for declarations and damages. Clarified the correct procedure for HRA claims in family proceedings.
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Court of Protection
Mai-Ling has an established practice acting in health and welfare cases for all parties, including health and social care bodies and individuals. She is co-convenor of the Court of Protection Team.
She has undertaken cases that involve best interest decisions, welfare and financial decisions and deprivations of liberty, including contested applications involving fact-finding hearings.
Mai-Ling has acted in cases involving adults with learning disabilities, adults with acquired brain injury and people with dementia, including disputes about residence or contact with family members. She is instructed by the Official Solicitor, individuals and local authorities.
Mai-Ling has particular expertise in cases where there is a crossover with family proceedings, for example, non-consensual marriage.
Mai-Ling is a member of CoPPA.
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CROSS-BORDER FAMILY CASES
Mai-Ling is experienced in cases of international abduction, international adoption and the application of Brussels II Revised. She frequently advises in family proceedings concerning immigration and nationality issues as well as international adoptions, transnational care and child placement arrangements.
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Pro Bono Work
In 2015 and 2017 Mai-Ling was shortlisted for Sydney Elland Goldsmith Bar Pro Bono Award, in recognition of an outstanding commitment to pro bono work.
Mai-Ling joined Garden Court from Fourteen in September 2016. She is a trustee of Wheels for Wellbeing, an award-winning inclusive cycling charity, which helps people enjoy the benefits of cycling regardless of disability, age or health condition.
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Publications
'Revoking an adoption order: unusual and exceptional' (Family Law, November 2019), Mai-Ling co-authored this with Naomi Wiseman, also of Garden Court Chambers.
