Alison is a partner at Bindmans and Head of the Family and Matrimonial team. She specialises in all aspects of the law relating to children. She has a particular interest in domestic abuse, forced marriage, so called ‘honour’ based violence and female genital mutilation (FGM) issues. Alison is highly rated in independent directories Chambers and Partners and Legal 500.
Alison regularly represents parents in complex care proceedings including those involving international elements; where non accidental injury, physical abuse or sexual abuse of children has been alleged; fabricated illness; domestic abuse and cases with parallel criminal proceedings. She is experienced in acting in private and public law children cases where there are issues of radicalisation.
Alison has experience of the many different aspects of international family law, including adoption, child abduction, wardship, jurisdictional disputes, international relocation of children, registration and enforcement of foreign orders, stranded spouses, forced marriage and FGM.
She also advises parents in respect of disputes about where a child lives and who child spends time with. This includes cases where there is social services involvement with the family.
Alison is experienced in acting for parents where there is a dispute with treating doctors as to what treatment a child should receive. Alison frequently represents vulnerable clients and is known for her calm, patient and compassionate approach.
Alison provides training in her fields of expertise for other professionals including lawyers, social workers, health care professionals and advice agencies. She also enjoys training and developing the next generation of lawyers, and is a mentor for YLAL (Young Legal Aid Lawyers).
Alison was named Family Lawyer of the Year at the British Family Law Awards 2024. She was also highly commended as Family Law Partner of the Year at the Family Law Awards 2023 and the Female Trailblazer of the Year at the Modern Law Awards 2024.
In 2022, Alison was shortlisted for Family Law Partner of the Year at the Family Law Awards, and was also shortlisted for Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award in the Family Law category.
Before joining Bindmans Alison was a member partner, the head of the family department and on the firm’s management team of a well-known and highly respected practice.
Experience
Alison’s notable cases include:
- Re O (child abduction and custody rights) [1997] 2 FLR 702
- Re A (change of name) [2003] 2 FLR 1
- Re S (a child) [2012] Lawtel/AC 9201031
- The London Borough of Tower Hamlets v M [2015] EWHC 869 (Fam)
- AS and BS (Habitual residence) [2020] EWFC 101
- Re KM (A child: jurisdiction: habitual residence) [2022] EWFC 132
- Re SV [2022] EWCOP 52 (08 December 2022)
- W v Z [2023] EWHC 469 (Fam)
- KN & Anor v RN & Ors [2023] EWHC 712 (Fam)
- Coventry City Council v The Mother (BB) & Ors [2023] EWHC 1284 (Fam)
- N and A (1996 Hague Convention: Article 13) [2023] EWCA Civ 623
- N and A (1996 Hague Convention: Costs) [2023] EWCA Civ 887
- SA v AA [2023] EWHC 2016 (Fam)
- Re RO (Schedule 3 MCA 2005) [2023] EWCOP 55
- Re KM (A child) (Welfare), Re [2023] EWFC 313 (18 May 2023)
- The Health Service Executive of Ireland v SM [2024] EWCOP 60 (T3) (Reported)
- R & Anor v A (by her litigation friend, The Official Solicitor) & Anor [2024] EWFC 34
Recent directory and client quotes
Chambers and Partners UK 2025
- Alison is listed as a “Star Individual” in Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters & in Band 2 in Family/Children Law: Cross-Border Disputes.
- “Alison is completely dedicated to ensuring that a client’s case is properly prepared and she offers great insights into strategy.”
- “Alison is frank and firm with her advice.”
- “It’s a very collaborative and efficient experience working with her.”
- “Alison has excellent client care skills and is easy to work with.”
- “She thrives when there is an international aspect to a case and in persuading foreign experts into providing evidence in cases.”
- “She is extremely calm, always on top of the brief, knows exactly what she wants to achieve and works collaboratively.”
- “She is also a great pleasure to work with.”
- “Alison is a wonderful troubleshooter who is acutely sensitive and won’t accept a situation that is unsatisfactory, if it can be remedied.”
Legal 500 2025
- Alison is listed as a “Leading Partner” in Family.
- “The Family Team under the very capable leadership of Alison Leivesley, is outstanding. Every member is really committed to their cases. They apply thought, knowledge, imagination and drive to bring about the best possible outcomes for their clients.”
Chambers and Partners UK 2024
- Alison was ranked as a “Star Individual” in Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters & in Band 2 in Family/Children Law: Cross-Border Disputes.
- “Alison really is the most extraordinary solicitor I’ve worked with. She is really excellent in what she does, super committed and hard-working and does the very best for her clients.”
- “She is experienced, very level-headed, shows attention to detail and creates excellent working relationships with counsel.”
- “She has real strength in terms of her ability to deliver calm but difficult and insightful advice.”
- “Alison is a really cool head and she works hard for parents, getting results for them I didn’t think would be possible.”
- “Alison is brilliant – her energy and belief in every case is really noteworthy. She leaves no stone unturned and is a fantastic leader.”
- “She is very pragmatic and sees the bigger picture.”
Legal 500 2024
- Alison was ranked as a ‘Leading Individual’ in Family.
- “I particularly wish to pay tribute to Alison Lievesley. Alison is very experienced and has great insight.”
- “Alison Leivesley has a long-standing background in complex care, which she utilises when dealing with difficult, high-profile, international and private client cases. She heads a team of excellent associates.”
- “Alison Leivesley is an outstanding family partner. She goes above and beyond for every client, no matter their circumstances, and is an absolute pleasure to work with.”
- “Alison Leivesley has a thoughtful, hands-on approach, and has extensive public law knowledge and a pragmatic approach.”
- “Alison Leivesley has amazing dedication to clients and cases and she is unflappable. Clients get the Bindmans Rolls-Royce service.”
Professional memberships
- Resolution
- Association of Lawyers for Children
- Associate member of NAGALRO
- Association of Women Solicitors
- Legal Aid Practitioners Group
- Affiliate Member of Chartered Management Institute
- Women in Family Law
- Child Abduction Lawyers Association
- Member of Working Together with Parents Network
Publications
- Author of A Practical Guide to Representing Parents in Care Proceedings
- Forced Marriage module Family Law Microcredential The Law Society
- Contributor to Female Genital Mutilation: Law and Practice by Zimran Samuel
- Contributor to London Borough of Tower Hamlets Multi Agency Guidelines on domestic violence and no recourse to public funds
- Contributor to LNTV Family: domestic abuse injunction relief
Accreditations
- Resolution Accredited Specialist in public law children, private law children, domestic abuse, forced marriage and honour based violence
- Law Society’s Family Law Advanced Accreditation in private law children, violence in the home
