Tom is a specialist and experienced private law practitioner. His practice focuses exclusively on representing parents, children (via r16.4 Guardians) and grandparents in complex, highly contentious and sensitive private law children matters before the Family and High Courts. Tom is regularly instructed in a broad range of private law matters involving:
· Complex Child Arrangement proceedings.
· Multi-day finding of fact and welfare hearings.
· Allegations of parental alienation and implacable hostility.
· International relocation/internal elements.
· Serious allegations of physical and/or emotional harm against a parent and/or child.
· 16.4 Guardians.
· Forced-Marriage Protection Orders.
· Cultural and religious issues.
· Significant expert evidence, including psychological assessments.
· The involvement of Local Authorities.
Tom is regarded as a robust and incisive advocate who approaches each case with passion, care, tenacity and an acute appreciation of the significance of the impact family law proceedings can have upon his clients and their private and family life.
Tom is renowned for his ability to identify key issues in the most complex private law cases and to find solutions to seemingly intractable disputes. He is a calm and measured advocate who is known for his precise and potent advocacy, which is particularly valuable in emotionally charged contested hearings
Tom’s previous experience in relation to acting for local authorities, parents, grandparents, children (via their Guardians) and interveners in complex public law proceedings provides him with a wealth of experience in a wide-range of serious safeguarding matters. In addition, Tom’s Masters in Human Rights Law provides a solid practical and legal foundation for his approach to family cases.
Tom accepts Public/Direct Access cases where appropriate. To find out more, e-mail familyclerks@stiveschambers.co.uk
LL.B (Hons)
LL.M (International Human Rights)
Bar Vocational Course (Very Competent)
Birmingham Black Lawyers 2023 – Special Recognition Award, Outstanding Role Model
Worcestershire Law Society Awards 2021 – Barrister of the Year
Black British Business Awards 2015 – Leader of the Year for Professional Services
Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards 2011 – Pupil Barrister of the Year
Undergraduate Law Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Law
Deputy District Judge (Midlands, 2022) Civil & Family
Legal 500 2024: “Tom is intelligent, articulate and has great people skills. He is enthusiastic about any case he is instructed on and instantly becomes part of the team. He is a star on his feet and commands the courtroom.”
Chambers and Partners 2024: “Tom Lawal is a favourite amongst many of our clients. He is professional, personable and excellent on his feet. Tom gets to grips with complex issues and puts the clients at ease. He is an excellent barrister.” “Tom Lawal is an outstanding advocate. He is wonderfully reassuring with vulnerable witnesses.” “Tom Lawal has great technical ability. He is brilliant with clients, really personable and well liked.”
Chambers and Partners 2023: “Tom is brilliant with clients and an excellent advocate. Tom is commercially astute, always builds an excellent rapport with clients and is impressive on his feet. Tom is a favourite among many of our clients.” “Tom is creative and really fights the client’s corner.”
Chambers & Partners 2022: “With Tom you can really rest assured that your case is in the best possible hands; he has an enthusiasm and passion for the job and engages from the get-go.” “I would recommend Tom and his positive, personable and proactive approach to any instructing solicitor or litigating client.”
Chambers and Partners 2021: “He is full of energy, very personable and builds immediate relationships. He is very good on his feet in court, always very well prepared and has excellent knowledge of the practice area.”
Chambers & Partners 2020: “He is extremely thorough and has the likeability factor so he is very easy to get on with.” “He always gets fantastic results and he is a joy to work with.”
Chambers & Partners 2019: “He is incredibly easy to work with. He also has great technical ability and excellent judgement.” “A fantastic advocate who is great at getting results for clients.”
Chambers & Partners 2018: “He is energetic and you can tell he has a good understanding of what’s going on. He’s also really good on his feet and gets on well with clients.” “His way of cross-examination is very charming and he also has a great eye for detail.”
Chambers & Partners 2017: “He’s a real fighter, who is very vivacious and very protective of his clients and witnesses when he’s in court.” “He has a great rapport with clients and offers sound, pragmatic advice.”
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St Ives Chambers is particularly well known for its family law expertise, which spans family finance, children and care matters………. Other key areas include crime and regulatory, commercial, Chancery and banking matters……Legal 500
