Midland Circuit
‘Go-to’ set St Ives Chambers is ‘firmly established within the Midlands’ and has experienced significant growth, with a number of barristers from KCH Garden Square joining the set in September 2024, and subsequently a new Nottingham office was opened in March 2025. Having previously worked as a child protection social worker, Elizabeth Isaacs KC is exceptionally well-placed to handle both complex private and public law proceedings, and she is ‘restless in her pursuit of justice’. Timothy Bowe KC is ‘extremely intelligent and has an excellent knowledge of the law’, and he has appeared before the High Court and Court of Appeal on behalf of local authorities, parents, and children in cases surrounding allegations of sexual abuse, fabricated and induced illness, and fatal injuries. Among the juniors, Justine Lattimer is a key name to note as an ‘absolutely unshakable’ practitioner with significant experience in cases surrounding forced marriages, FGM, and sexual abuse allegations, as well as deprivation of liberty. Family law specialist Matthew Maynard, who is ‘always impeccably prepared’, predominantly practices in public children law, especially complex care proceedings, with expertise in human trafficking and severe injuries to children. Tom Lawal is joint head of the private family law team and exclusively represents parents, grandparents, and children through guardians.
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Profile
Work Department
Tom Lawal is an experienced Barrister focusing on Housing law and Private Children law.
Position
Year of Call: 2008
Tom accepts instructions in all areas of housing law and has a growing reputation amongst instructing Solicitors nationwide. Tom has extensive experience in a wide range of housing matters and is regularly instructed to attend multi-day trials, committal applications, injunction and possession proceedings, in addition to drafting pleadings and advice on complex legal and factual matters.
Tom is a specialist and experienced private law practitioner. Tom’s family practice focuses exclusively on representing parents, children and grandparents in complex and sensitive private law matters.
Career
Housing Law
Tom accepts instructions in all areas of housing law and has a growing reputation amongst instructing Solicitors nationwide. Tom has extensive experience in a wide range of housing matters and is regularly instructed to attend multi-day trials, committal applications, injunction and possession proceedings, in addition to drafting pleadings and advice on complex legal and factual matters. Tom is often instructed on cases involving substantial legal arguments on issues such as The Equality Act, Article 8, proportionality and Public Law matters.
Tom is particularly acknowledged for his affable manner with lay witnesses, his thorough preparation and his engaging court manner. Tom believes in a collaborative approach to each set of instructions and is more than willing to discuss the preparation and tactics to each case he is instructed in. This approach regularly leads to a narrowing of issues and favourably outcomes for his professional and lay clients. Passionate and committed, Tom is often praised for his meticulous and tactically astute approach to each and every set of instructions.
Tom is an active member of the housing law team and was a speaker at the team’s annual conference. He is willing to provide training in all areas of housing law.
Private Law Children
Tom is a specialist and experienced private law practitioner. Tom’s family practice focuses exclusively on representing parents, children and grandparents in complex and sensitive private law matters. Tom is regularly instructed in a broad range of private law matters concerning;
- Complex Child Arrangement proceedings.
- Multi-day finding of fact and welfare hearings.
- Allegations of parental alienation.
- Proceedings regarding international relocation/international elements.
- Cases relating to serious allegations of physical and/or emotional abuse against a parent and/or child.
- The need to instruct experts and appoint Children’s Guardians.
Tom is regarded as a robust and incisive advocate who approaches each case with passion, care, determination and desire to achieve the best possible outcome for his lay client. Tom is renowned for his ability to find solutions to complex private law matters.
Tom’s previous experience in relation to acting for Local Authorities, Parents, Grandparents, Children and interveners in complex public law proceedings provides him with a wealth of experience in a wide-range of Children Law matters. In addition, Tom’s Masters in Human Rights Law provides a solid practical and legal foundation for his approach to family cases.
Tom is particularly noted for his affable and client focused manner and he is widely acknowledged for the meticulous approach he brings to every case he handles.
Recommendations
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.”
Languages
English
Education
LL.B (Hons)
LL.M (International Human Rights)
Bar Vocational Course (Very Competent)
Content supplied by St Ives Chambers
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks are personable and it feels like they care. They can make recommendations based on the nature of the case which is invaluable. Sarah Robinson, Nick Burdon and Asma Akhtar run matters like a well-oiled machine!'
- 'The clerks provide an excellent service. They are highly responsive and user friendly. Stuart Walker and Nick Burdon are standouts.'
- 'Clerks are superb. Nick Burdon in particular will aways do his utmost to help even in an emergency.'
- 'All of their clerks are professional, friendly and helpful, especially Nick Burdon and Asma Akhtar.'
- 'Sarah Robinson, Nick Burdon, Asma Akhtar, and Stuart Walker are outstanding. Whenever you speak to any of the clerks, you are greeted with warmth. Nick has an ability to light up a room even if he is in it.'
- 'The clerks are really helpful and will do their very best to accommodate your request and choice of counsel, often going above and beyond. David Walters gets to know who you like to instruct in particular form their set which demonstrates his commitment to solicitor relationships.'
- 'David Walters and Scott Goodison are always supportive and reliable.'
- 'Scott Goodison and David Walters are the best family clerks in Birmingham. They are supportive of solicitors, helpful and have a clear knowledge of the field they work in.'