FAMILY LAW: CHILDREN'S LAW
Overview
Amina practises primarily within the area of public law care proceedings, representing parents, children, local authorities and interveners. Within this field she has experience of cases involving complex non-accidental injury, sexual abuse, cruelty and neglect.
She also has experience of acting for Guardians in rule 9.5 private law cases, and Adoption and Special Guardianship Proceedings. She also has experience of representing parents with a disability through the Official Solicitor.
Having worked as a psychiatric nurse prior to a career at the Bar, Amina is often instructed by solicitors who want someone who can deal with clients with mental health needs with sensitivity, knowledge and understanding.
Amina has strong client care skills and seeks to put clients at ease as well as providing sound advice. She seeks to ensure instructing solicitors receive prompt and useful feedback following hearings.
Notable Cases
MW v Hertfordshire County Council [2014] EWCA Civ 405
This was an appeal by a local authority and the father of the two children subject to proceedings against the making of Special Guardianship Orders in favour of an aunt and uncle of the children who were resident in Poland. The local authority, father and Guardian all sought for the children to remain in long-term foster care in England. The Court held that case law did not create a rule that "family trumps all" but that family ties must be considered as part of the child's "background and ... characteristics". The Court also considered the role and status of the Children's Guardian saying that the children's Guardian is required to advise the court but in doing so becomes a witness subject to the same judicial scrutiny as any other.
H v G (Adoption Appeal) [2013] EWHC 2136 (Fam) Jackson J
Consideration of the test in rule 30.3(7) of the Family Procedure Rules 2010; for the court to grant permission to appeal an applicant must show 'a real prospect of success'.
