Alicia Collinson

Alicia is instructed in Care proceedings of all types and at all levels, from written or conference advice in pre-proceeding and interim stages, to establishing findings of fact and getting the best outcome at welfare stage. She aims for the right conclusions at the initial hearings, so few of her cases are reported on appeal, but she is confident in the higher courts, if needed.

Her work deals with every level of emotional, physical and sexual harm facing children and their relatives, including expert evidence about neglect, causation of harm, adequacy of parenting and the prospects for change. She is very experienced in working with intermediaries, lay advocates and family members, to support vulnerable clients, where there are mental health issues, substance abuse, domestic abuse and parental alienation. She has recently dealt with sexual infection of children, infant head injury, factitious/ induced illness, exploitation of children or adults, county lines drug problems, secure accommodation and deprivation of liberty. She frequently works with interpreters where English is not a first language. Her cases often have extra ramifications, which she enjoys exploring: such as the law relating to local government, education, housing, media and immigration. She delves into regulatory issues such as Special Guardianship support packages, child in care regulations, leaving care regulations, associated judicial review and the regulation of decision making by public bodies. She is especially familiar with adoption, both international and domestic, and covers wardship and inherent jurisdiction cases. She is sensitive towards non-traditional family structures and gender issues.

Notable Public Law Children cases

Appeal by local authority against refusal to make placement orders in respect of two young children.

Represented the Father who was opposing an appeal by the local authority against a fact-finding decision of HH Judge Wicks. The appeal raised important and interesting legal issues concerning the rehearing of previous findings of fact, the relevance of propensity and ‘hindsight bias’, and the caution to be applied before making exculpatory findings. This case was reported in Local Government Lawyer.

Final hearing in care proceedings concerning 2 children, primarily related to M’s response to the younger child’s complex health needs. Final hearing.

Fact-finding in care proceedings concerning 2 children, primarily related to M’s response to the younger child’s complex health needs.