Our work covers all areas of family law, with particular expertise in the following areas:
Call: 1998
Andrew is a specialist in the field of children law and has practised exclusively in this area for over twenty years.
Andrew is an extremely experienced advocate and is regularly instructed in cases which deal with the most serious forms of abuse against children, complex medical or technical evidence, or where particularly vulnerable witnesses are involved. Andrew also regularly appears in cases which have a complex forensic matrix or involve cross-jurisdictional questions. Andrew is often instructed in cases against leading counsel and also on appeals.
Andrew is known for his extremely effective, persuasive, and calm style of advocacy which inspires the confidence of both judges and clients alike. Andrew is able to combine a sympathetic and pragmatic approach to his cases, with robust and compelling advocacy when required.
Andrew was appointed to sit as a Recorder in 2018 and sits in the Family Court.
Andrew was called to the Bar in 1998 and is also a member of the Malaysian Bar, with whom he maintains close ties.
To instruct Andrew or for more information…
Call: 020 7353 6961
Email: clerks@harcourtchambers.co.uk
Andrew has considerable experience representing parents, local authorities and children (either through their guardians or directly) involved in care proceedings, wardship and adoption. He regularly appears in cases involving complex medical or technical evidence relating to serious ill-treatment or endangering of children or where particularly vulnerable clients or cross-jurisdictional issues are concerned.
Care proceedings concerning one year-old child, issued following concerns over the impact of M’s mental health issues upon her ability to care for the child. Care and placement orders made.
A fact finding hearing in which a young teenager made allegations of physical and sexual abuse by her father and step mother which were found proved.
Application by local authority for declaration of age in relation to child who arrived from Uganda.
Andrew represented the local authority successfully at first instance and on appeal where the appropriate use of tagging orders in care proceedings was considered.
10 month old Hungarian child suffered serious sexual abuse since she was 2 months old – mother sought to return to Hungary with the child and sought transfer of the proceedings to Hungary under Art 15 – Andrew represented the father who had been convicted of sexually abusing the child – the father disclosed that the mother not only knew about the abuse but had also been an active participant in the abuse – technical analysis of the media devices seized from the family home produced evidence of further abuse of the child – the father alleged this had been perpetrated by the mother, which the mother disputed – evidence heard from witnesses in Hungary – findings made that the mother had actively abused the child.
Care proceedings involving family of Timor Leste nationals residing in the UK – parents had proposed family members in Timor Leste as alternative carers for the children – the government of Timor Leste supported the children being placed in Timor Leste and the Timor Leste ambassador to the UK attended the hearing to voice this position – Andrew represented the local authority which did not agree with the parents’ proposal and the stance of the government of Timor Leste and proposed that the children be adopted instead – evidence heard from witnesses in Timor Leste – Andrew successfully persuaded the court to approve the local authority’s plan that the children should be placed for adoption in the UK.
Care proceedings involving allegations of FII – both parents accused of interfering with 14 year old daughter’s diabetes medication – complex technical evidence concerning the different types of medication delivery systems and the different types of diabetes medication – Andrew was junior counsel representing the father who was completely exonerated from all allegations made against him.
Andrew has represented parents seeking to relocate within the United Kingdom or abroad as well as extended family members involved in disputes about aspects of a child’s upbringing.
Andrew was instructed jointly to advise on the legality of adoptions effected in Malaysia.
Andrew represented a Swedish national who was seeking permission to relocate with her child back to Sweden – English father opposed permission being granted and was supported in his opposition by the local authority social worker and the CAFCASS guardian – court granted permission to relocate – Andrew also represented the mother when the Court of Appeal upheld the first instance decision.
Andrew represents clients involved in the whole spectrum of private law disputes relating to children. He has represented parents seeking to relocate within the United Kingdom or abroad as well as extended family members involved in disputes about aspects of a child’s upbringing.
Andrew was instructed jointly to advise on the legality of adoptions effected in Malaysia.
Andrew represented a Swedish national who was seeking permission to relocate with her child back to Sweden – English father opposed permission being granted and was supported in his opposition by the local authority social worker and the CAFCASS guardian – court granted permission to relocate – Andrew also represented the mother when the Court of Appeal upheld the first instance decision.
Court of Protection and Medical Treatment
Andrew is regularly instructed to represent parties involved in proceedings brought by public authorities where the deprivation of an adult’s or young person’s liberty is concerned.
Andrew is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public under the Direct Access Scheme in appropriate circumstances.
Andrew Leong, a renowned family law barrister from Harcourt Chambers, delivered a compelling presentation at the Junior Family Lawyers Conference 2024, held at the Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium in Kuala…
Andrew Leong acted for a local authority in Local Authority v Mother & Ors [2024] EWFC 158 (B); Care proceedings concerning one year-old child, issued following concerns over the impact of…
Edward Kirkwood was instructed by the Applicant Council, Alex Forbes instructed by Rowberry Morris, represented the Second Respondent Father and Andrew Leong, instructed by Griffiths Robertson Solicitors, represented the Fourth…