Barbara Mills KC

International Children Law; Private Children Law; Public Children Law; Non-court dispute resolution

Overview

I am a barrister specialising in difficult, complex and sensitive cases concerning children. My work primarily involves high conflict cases featuring allegations of serious abuse and parental alienation representing parents- often where the outcome has life-changing consequences for the family.
I am committed to non-court solutions and I have established a successful mediation and arbitration practice. I receive referrals from High Court judges, KCs and other professional colleagues. My recent mediations include a dispute between two internationally acclaimed musicians and another where I assisted a foreign royal couple to reach resolution over the arrangements for their children across two countries.
I am an accredited mediator and qualified to consult children over 8 years whose parents are in mediation.
I am described as providing “gilt edged expertise” in mediation in HNW circles.

Publications/Training

– Article for Singapore Law Gazette “Arbitration in Family Law” https://lawgazette.com.sg/practice/practice-support/arbitration-in-family-law/ July 2024
– Article for The Lawyer Africa on arbitration February 2024

– Article in The Guardian Newspaper about improving diversity and inclusivity in the profession 6 January 2022

– Race at the Bar – A Snapshot Report November 2021

– April 2021 – an article for Counsel Magazine – about retention and progression of Black talent at the Bar;

– In November 2019, wrote an article “Separating Amicably : Easing the financial and emotional cost of divorce” for The Money Pages;

– In October 2019 drafted amendments to the Domestic Abuse Bill on behalf of Women’s Aid and Rights of Women for submission to the Parliamentary Table Office;

– In February 2019, together with Alex Verdan QC, commented on the Guidelines issued by Cafcass in relation to Parental Alienation for The Times newspaper.

Most recent speaking:
– Sir Mota Singh Memorial lecture at Lincoln’s Inn 14 November 2024

– Women in Family Law “In conversation with the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales and Barbara Mills KC” March 2024

– Chaired the Inns of Court Alliance for Women pael discussion on “Tackling the Gender Pay Gap” March 2024

– Keynote speaker with The President of the Family Division at the Resolution National Conference in May 202
– Trained arbitrators in South Africa March 2023
– Several speaking engagements about Race report and improving Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity at the Bar (January 2022 and ongoing). Separate meetings with BSB, Circuit leaders and heads of chambers
– March/April 2021 – Prepared and delivered talks on Equality and Diversity issues at the Bar to The Middle Temple Young Bar Association, Inner Temple’s BAME Network Society, ALBA E&D Committee as well as law students at Durham University and Hull University

– October 2020 – Prepared and delivered the Private Law Children Update for the FLBA

– October 2019 – Speaker (on the benefits of ADR) and participant at a 2 day symposium in Tokyo between 4PB and the Tokyo Family Bar

– 2019 – date – Prepared and delivered: “Staying out of court: using mediation and arbitration to resolve domestic and cross border disputes involving children” a seminar for a number of leading London based solicitors firms. During the current public health crisis, with the assistance of Zoom, this seminar is being rolled out to a number of firms which have offices nationwide as well as offices abroad.

Awards

• Women and Diversity in Law – Lifetime achievement award 2024
• The Legally Flushed – EDI Empowerment Champion 2024
• Family Law Junior Barrister of the Year – Lexus Nexus Family Law Awards 2019
• Inner Temple Pegasus Scholar 1991
• Shortlisted (finalist) for Chambers UK Awards 2024
•  Diversity & Inclusion: Outstanding Contribution 2024
• Family Silk of the Year
• Lexis Nexus Family Law Awards 2022 – Family KC of the year
• Chambers and Partners Awards 2022 – Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion

Appointments

• Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales 2025
• Vice Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales 2024
• Deputy High Court Judge
• Governing Bencher for Inner Temple
• Recorder

Professional Memberships   Family Law Bar Association Association of Women Barristers Association of Lawyers for Children Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers South Eastern Circuit Affiliate Member of Resolution

Education & Qualifications

• LLB (Hull)
• Accredited Family Mediator (offering Child Inclusive Mediation)
• Arbitrator (children)
• Qualified Collaborative Lawyer