Our work covers all areas of family law, with particular expertise in the following areas:
Call: 1995 / Silk: 2016
"A pleasure to work with. He is kind, patient and took more time than any other barrister I have ever worked with to allow my client to put his statement in his own words. His medical knowledge and understanding of complex issues arising in NAI cases is second to none." "He is very hard-working, approachable and personable."
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2022
Aidan is a leading silk with a practice that encompasses all aspects of family law including public and private law children’s cases (often with an international element), Court of Protection, conflicts of jurisdiction on divorce, matrimonial finance and cohabitation disputes, and civil litigation arising out of family law (human rights, local authority duties, and negligence). Aidan is known for his calm and collected manner in court, highly persuasive style of advocacy, meticulous preparation, and excellent client care. He combines his expert technical legal knowledge with a practical and empathetic approach to clients. He has a busy first instance and appellant practice and has been recognised in the legal directories for his experience in both matrimonial finance and children law matters.
To instruct Aidan or for more information…
Call: 020 7353 6961
Email: clerks@harcourtchambers.co.uk
Aidan has been described by Chambers and Partners as the “go-to person” for public law issues, including Human Rights Act claims. He acts for local authorities, parents, interveners and children in the most serious fatal injury, non-accidental injury and sexual abuse cases, as well as in cases with jurisdictional and international complexities, or related civil law issues. He regularly advises on the civil law consequences of local authority child protection decisions and service provision.
An appeal by a local authority against the case management decision of District Judge.
Aidan appeared for one of the respondents in an alleged paedophile ring case with over 40 respondents, the judgments in this case are not yet published.
Care proceedings, child with life limiting condition.
The extent of the obligation to ‘put a case’ in cross-examination, and the correct approach to the ‘pool of perpetrators’.
Human rights damages, procedure for issuing human rights claims where there are also care proceedings, and the operation of the legal aid charge.
Necessity of expert evidence, specifically necessity of biomechanical evidence in NAI/head injury cases.
Aidan is very experienced in relocation cases, and in high conflict private law cases generally. He has particular experience acting for children having to navigate these difficulties.
Relocation appeal, concerning South Africa.
Relocation case, acting for teenage children who intervened.
Aidan has been described as “a real star” in complex children cases involving jurisdictional disputes and has appeared in a number of international children cases, including at appellant level. He appeared in a number of the earlier contested Article 15 transfer cases, and has been actively engaged in cases in this area ever since, in both public law and private law cases. He regularly appears in child abduction cases with complex legal issues, both at first instance and on appeal.
Article 15 (Brussels II Revised) transfer into the jurisdiction of care proceedings that were started in Ireland.
Article 13b (‘Hague’) grave risk of harm to child if abducting parent returned to home country to face imprisonment for child abduction.
Inherent jurisdiction, asylum rights and welfare assessments in (‘non-Hague’) proceedings for return orders.
Article 11(7) return orders, and ‘trumping orders’ securing the return of children abducted to the EU.
Article 15 (Brussels II Revised) transfer of jurisdiction from England and Wales.
Article 15 (Brussels II Revised) transfer of jurisdiction from England and Wales, local authority obligations to trace family members and confidentiality from family members).
Aidan has an established matrimonial finance practice, and often advises on jurisdictional and cross-border issues, as well as cases where other technical legal issues have arisen. He has appeared in a number of intervener case with trusts, and trusts of land issues. He also regularly appears in cohabitation disputes.
Aidan appeared in a cohabitation dispute involving civil law matrimonial property regimes and the recognition of an Italian judgment under Brussels I Recast.
Divorce, financial remedy and Brussels II Revised lis pendens.
Aidan has an established Court of Protection practice, at first instance and on appeal. He acts in complex cases, at first instance and on appeal.
Aidan appeared in court of protection proceedings where the issues were transfer of care proceedings from the family court, onward transfer of the proceedings to the EU under Art 15 (Brussels II Revised) and whether the inherent jurisdiction could be used to authorise deprivation of liberty before the jurisdiction of the court of protection had been established. The judgment in this case has yet to be published.
"He is very approachable, with an extremely good sense of client care, and he gives clear, unequivocal advice." "He is a class act."
Chambers UK Bar 2021
"He is an accomplished and effective advocate, with a measured style that many judges like, and with recognised expertise in children cases with human rights or jurisdictional issues."
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2021
"His client care skills are exemplary and his knowledge of intricate legal issues is excellent. A very skilled advocate in court. He has a quick mind and the ability to think on his feet."
Chambers UK Bar
"He is the go-to person for public law issues, including Human Rights Act claims; he's calm, collected, meticulously prepared and renowned for the care he gives his clients."
Chambers UK Bar 2019
"A good strategic thinker with excellent attention to detail and client care."
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2019
"Highly experienced in matrimonial finance and children law matters."
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2018
Aidan, acting on behalf of a local authority, and leading Maria Gallagher of Pump Court Chambers, successfully sought the dismissal of an appeal in which the Court of Appeal considered two matters: the…
Aidan Vine QC and Annie Sayers appeared in the High Court before Williams J in a case regarding Art 15 of BIIR.
The judgement can be found here.
Nick Goodwin QC, Aidan Vine QC and Edward Bennett appeared in the Court of Appeal in GP (a child) [2017] EWCA Civ 1677.
The judgment can be found here.