Mehvish Chaudhry

Call: 2008

"Mehvish Chaudhry is one of the leaders in her field. She has a quiet confidence and expert knowledge that judges respect and opponents admire. Clients warm to her manner and the fact that she keeps their best interests to the fore at all times."
Chambers UK Bar 2024

Mehvish’s practice encompasses all aspects of children law, with a particular emphasis on private law and international matters. She also handles complex public law disputes, often involving international and honour-based issues. Mehvish is ranked in both Legal 500 (band 1) and Chambers & Partners (band 2) as a leading junior and has appeared in many leading family law decisions including in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court.

Mehvish is known for her persuasive advocacy, industry, and detailed knowledge of current case law. Her court manner has been described as fearless, forensic, and unflappable. Mehvish is also known for her excellent client care, clear advice, and an ability to bring humanity and warmth to complex and emotionally charged situations.

In 2022 Mehvish was shortlist for the Legal 500 Junior Family Law Barrister of the Year. In 2021 Mehvish was one of only three barristers nominated for the Chambers and Partners Junior Family Law Barrister of the Year. In 2013 Mehvish was awarded the Jordan’s Family Law Award for “Young Barrister of the Year”.

In addition to her court work, Mehvish is a member of the FLBA National Committee and a founding member of Women in Family Law. She is also a trustee of Reunite International Child Abduction Centre.

To instruct Mehvish or for more information…

Call: 020 7353 6961
Email: clerks@harcourtchambers.co.uk

Practice Areas

Mehvish has been described by Chambers and Partners as “one of the best young barristers in the child abduction field” and is highly respected for her expertise in international children cases. She regularly appears in these matters both in the High Court and at appellant level. Mehvish has appeared in over thirty published cases in this area, including, four Supreme Court decisions (K (A child) (Northern Ireland) [2014], Re B (a child) [2016], Re N (Children) [2016]) and G v G [2021] and the leading Court of Appeal decision on the child’s objections defence: M (Republic of Ireland) (Child’s Objections) (Joinder of Children As Parties To Appeal) [2015].

Mehvish accepts instructions in all aspects of international children law and is equally skilled at handling cases heard in the Family Division of the High Court in an abduction context and applications for international relocation in the Family Court. She has considerable experience of the panoply of applications that can be made pursuant to the Brussels ii revised regulation and 1996 Hague Child Protection Convention. Mehvish also has a particular expertise in cases which involve stranded spouses, allegations of female genital mutilation, and forced marriage.

Mehvish fully understands that these cases sometimes require urgent consideration and she is very happy to advise at short notice if required.

Notable International Family Law cases


Re A and B (Children) (Summary Return: Non-Convention State) [2022] EWCA Civ 1664

Mehvish continued to represent the father on appeal, and successfully defended the appeal in the Court of Appeal.


Re A and B (Children: Return Order: UAE) [2022] EWHC 2120 (Fam)

Mehvish represented the father and was successful at first instance in arguing that the children should be returned to Dubai.


Secretary of State for the Home Department v GA & Ors [2021] EWCA Civ 1131

Mehvish appeared on behalf the mother in judicial review proceedings concerning Her Majesty Passport Office’s refusal to issue three children with British passports. Mehvish appeared as part of the legal team instructed to represent the mother in the Court of Appeal and successfully defended the appeal. The case is the first case in this jurisdiction to consider the applicable law provisions of the 1996 Hague Convention.


G v G [2021] UKSC 9

Mehvish appeared as part of the legal team instructed by the International Centre of Family Law Policy and Practice in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. The case considered the impact of the Refugee Convention and claims for asylum on the summary return procedure under the 1980 Hague Convention.


AS v CPW [2020] EWHC 1238

Mehvish represented the father in proceedings issued pursuant to the inherent jurisdiction for the return of the parties eldest child from Sierra Leone to England. The final hearing took place before Mostyn J by Zoom during the Covid-19 pandemic.


VB v TR [2020] EWHC 877

Mehvish appeared on behalf ofthe father in inherent jurisdiction proceedings seeking the return of the parties only child to his home in Bermuda. The final hearing took place before Mostyn J by Zoom during the Covid-19 pandemic. The judgment includes a number of observations about the legal framework governing applications for return of children between England and Wales and British Overseas Dependent Territories.


R v Secretary of State for the Home Department (No. 2) [2020] EWHC 1036 & R v Secretary of State for the Home Department (Disclosure of Asylum Records) [2019] EWHC 3147

Mehvish, led by Edward Devereux QC, represented the father in proceedings which raise the question of whether documents from an asylum claim can be disclosed into family proceedings. Due to the legal importance and complexity of the issues theSecretary of State for the Home Department intervened in proceedings.


S (A Child) (Hague Convention 1980: Return to Third State) [2019] EWCA 352 (Fam)

Mehvish appeared in the Court of Appeal on behalf of the intervenor, The International Centre for Family Law Policy and Practice, in 1980 Hague Convention proceedings concerning return to a “third state” and protective measures.


Re Z (A Child) (FGMPO: Prevalence of FGM) [2017] EWHC 3566 (Fam)

Mehvish was instructed by the Cafcass High Court Team in proceedings concerning the father’s application to take the subject child to Guinea, West Africa, where FGM is highly prevalent, in order to meet with his family. After hearing expert evidence, the court ordered that the child should not be allowed to accompany her father to Guinea because of the risk of FGM occurring due to paternal family pressure.


Re B (a child) [2016] UKSC 4, [2016] 1 FLR 561

The Supreme Court considered the application of a lesbian parent for the return of her daughter to England from Pakistan. The Court gave consideration to the circumstances in which a child’s habitual residence, that had been established in one jurisdiction,is lost. Mehvish acted on behalf of the successful appellant and was led by David Williams QC (now Williams J).


Re C (Older Children: Relocation) [2015] EWCA Civ 1298; [2016] 2 FLR 1159

Court of Appeal proceedings in respect of an application for leave to remove. Mehvish appeared on behalf of the older child and successfully argued that the general intention of the Children Act 1989 was to prevent the imposition of inappropriate requirements on older children. The first instance decision, in so far as it related to the older child, was overturned.


M (Republic of Ireland) (Child's Objections) (Joinder of Children As Parties To Appeal) [2015] EWCA Civ 26, [2015] 2 FLR 1074

Mehvish appeared on behalf of the father in this landmark Court of Appeal decision in relation to the correct approach to be taken to the Article 13 child’s objections defence in 1980 Hague Convention proceedings.


K (A child) (Northern Ireland) [2014] UKSC 29, [2014] 2 FLR 629

A Supreme Court decision involving the definition of “Rights of Custody” for the purposes of Article 3 of the 1980 Hague Convention. Mehvish’s research into the international jurisprudence was referred to extensively in the Supreme Court’s judgment.

Mehvish is regularly instructed in all aspects of private law proceedings including: applications for child arrangements, international relocation, holidays abroad, internal relocations, prohibited steps orders, disputes about schooling and change of name, cases which involve allegations of alienation and allegations of domestic abuse.

Mehvish is acutely aware that these cases can be exceptionally sensitive and difficult for the parties involved. She is known as a bright and tenacious advocate who will fight hard for her clients and does not shy away from delivering firm and realistic advice.

Notable Private Law Children cases


Re (A Child : Findings of Fact) [2022] EWCA Civ 1652 (15 December 2022)

Successful appeal by mother in private law proceedings from findings of fact arising from allegations of domestic abuse, including transnational marriage abandonment.


Re C (Older Children: Relocation) [2015] EWCA Civ 1298; [2016] 2 FLR 1159

Court of Appeal proceedings in respect of an application for leave to remove. Mehvish appeared on behalf of the older child and successfully argued that the general intention of the Children Act 1989 was to prevent the imposition of inappropriate requirements on older children. The first instance decision, in so far as it related to the elder child, was overturned.

Mehvish accepts instructions in public law proceedings for all parties including local authorities, parents, children, Cafcass, and the Official Solicitor.

Mehvish has particular experience in cases involving allegations of honour based violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, domestic abuse, and vulnerable parties. Mehvish is also experienced in handling public law proceedings involving applications for deprivation of liberty and proceedings with an international dimension, for example, cases involving jurisdictional issues and applications to transfer proceedings abroad.

Notable Public Law Children cases


West Sussex County Council & Anor v F & Ors [2018] EWHC 1702 (Fam), [2019] 1 FLR 992

Complex public law proceedings with an international dimension and allegations of forced marriage. Mehvish represented the father which involved involved cross-examining two children aged fifteen and fourteen (with special measures) at final hearing. Williams J accepted the legal submissions made on behalf of the father that the approach of the court may be different if the proposed order contains mandatory, rather than prohibitive, orders. The children were returned to the care of the parents at the conclusion of the proceedings.


B (A Child), Re [2018] EWHC 1643

Mehvish was instructed by the Official Solicitor in complex proceedings concerning two children which gave rise to a number of complex legal and factual issues in relation to jurisdiction, applications to enforce Spanish orders, and the 1980 Hague Convention, and the impact on final care orders.


Re N (Children) [2016] UKSC 15 (13 April 2016), [2016] 1 FLR 108

Supreme Court case involving correct approach to the transfer of proceedings pursuant to Article 15 of the Brussels ii revised regulation. Mehvish, led by John Vater QC, appeared as part of the legal team instructed on behalf of the Family Rights Group. The Group’s submissions were endorsed by the Supreme Court at §2 of §§48 of the decision and described by Lady Hale as helpful.

Mehvish accepts instructions in proceedings in the Court of Protection and has a particular interest in cases involving vulnerable adults and cross-border issues.

Notable Court of Protection cases


In 2019 Mehvish, led by Aidan Vine QC, represented a mother in complex proceedings before Keehan J which involved the transition of proceedings from the Family Court to the Court of Protection and involved consideration of a host of issues including: an application for transfer of the proceedings pursuant to Article 15 of the Brussels ii revised regulation, consideration of whether the subject child lacked capacity under the MCA 2005, and applications for deprivation of liberty pursuant to the inherent jurisdiction.

Mehvish is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public under the Direct Access Scheme in appropriate circumstances.

 

What the directories say

"She is hugely respected by judges and goes to the next level in terms of the effort she puts in." "Thorough, really good with clients and absolutely brilliant on her feet."
Chambers UK Bar 2024

‘Mehvish is a brilliant advocate who is never fazed by anything or daunted by anyone. She is always very well prepared and extremely good with clients. She is a go-to for complex international children's cases.’
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2024

‘dedicated and thorough advocate’
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2024

'Mehvish is a standout star in the world of children law. Her advocacy is top-notch, and her cross-examination skills are beyond outstanding. She quite simply lights the world of children law on fire, her submissions are flawless, and her written documents are clear, thorough and persuasive.’
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2023

“Mehvish is a true expert in her field. If you have a complicated or difficult Children Act matter, Mehvish is a go-to counsel especially if there's an aspect of relocation involved.”
Chambers UK Bar 2023

“Mehvish Chaudhry is good at complex children work, especially cases with an international element. She's very bright and inspires confidence in clients.”
Chambers UK Bar 2023

Related News

Mehvish Chaudhry, instructed by Goodman Ray Solicitors, acted for the Respondent and Martha Gray, instructed by The International Family Law Group LLP, acted for the Applicant in WB v VM [2024] EWHC 302 (Fam)

This was an application for a return order under the inherent jurisdiction in respect of a 2 year old who had been been removed to Jordan.  

Mr Justice Cusworth…

Mehvish Chaudhry, instructed by Alexandra Goldrein of Slater Heelis Limited, represented the respondent father in MA v TA [2023] EWFC 271

This was a final hearing in a Children Act case where the father was seeking contact with the party’s child not only in the UK, where he lives with his…

International Family Law: An Update on Law and Practice. Online Conference – Wednesday 6th December at 2:15pm.

Mehvish Chaudhry and Mavis Amonoo-Acquah are part of a fabulous line up of speakers at the International Family Law: An Update on Law and Practice. A Live and Recorded Online…

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