Instructing Gina Allwood

For more information please contact our clerks by calling +44 (0)20 7242 3555.

Gina Allwood’s practice spans Public Law (Admin), Civil and International Family Law.

She is regularly instructed in the High Court in cases involving international parental child abduction, forced marriages, overseas divorces with foreign assets, serious emotional abuse, child fatalities and significant injuries and serious abuse with disputed medical evidence (often with linked criminal proceedings); allegations of sexual abuse; and fictitious illness. She has particular expertise in cases that involve cross family and immigration issues.

Gina has recently been involved in several high profile cases which have reported in the national press and a number of other cases at the forefront of legal developments in the family field.

Gina is qualified to accept instructions directly from clients and is registered under the Bar Council’s Public Access Scheme, meaning that members of the public who seek specialist advice can come direct to her. In addition, she welcomes instructions from solicitors, in-house law departments, qualified foreign lawyers, and clients licensed by the Bar Council to give instructions direct to barristers under the Bar Council’s Licensed Access Scheme.  For more information please visit our Direct Access page here.

Legal Expertise

Family Law

Gina is an experienced and committed international family law practitioner. She is regularly instructed in the High Court in cases involving international parental child abduction and forced marriages, overseas divorces with foreign assets and has particular expertise in cases which involve family and immigration law.

She has been involved in several high profile national news cases and a number of other cases at the forefront of legal developments in the family field.

  • International parental Child Abduction, Brussels II (Revised)
  • Forced Marriage
  • Proceedings under the inherent jurisdiction
  • Application for leave to remove from the jurisdiction
  • International disputes relating to divorce jurisdiction
  • Complex care and adoption proceedings
  • Publicity and disclosure proceedings
  • Ancillary Relief
  • Children Act proceedings, including Schedule 1 applications
  • Committal proceedings
  • Inheritance provision
  • TOLATA

Notable Family Law cases

Re R 2023 EWFC 144

A case involving a 13 year old who experienced neglect and abusive parenting from an early age. The court found that a care order was unnecessary, as the child's more recent situation had been effective, and cited the need for collaborative working and stability.

Full judgment >
H AND OTHERS (CHILDREN) (FACT FINDING: RIB FRACTURES) [2021] EWHC 2041 (Fam)

C (A CHILD: INTERIM SEPARATION) [2019] EWCA Civ 1998

A recorder's decision to make an interim order for the separation of a four-month-old child from the care of his mother was set aside, as it was not a necessary and proportionate response to the situation that had arisen.

Y & Z (Children : Hague Convention) [2017] EWFC 102

The court ordered the return of 15 and 11 year-old siblings despite finding that they objected.

Re WM (Children) [2017] EWCA Civ 286

De Andrade v De Andrade [2015] EWFC 76

Re H (Jurisdiction) [2014] EWCA Civ 1101

H (Father) v B (Mother) [2013] EWHC 2950; [2014] FLR 38

Button v Salama [2013] EWHC 2972 (Fam), [2014] FLR 25

Re M (Children) (Contact) [2013] FLR 662, [2013] All ER (D) 94

Re Q (A Child) [2011] EWCA Civ 1610, [2012] 1 FLR 1228, [2012] 1 FCR 259, [2012] Fam Law 262, [2012] All ER (D) 153 (Jan)

Re L v LB Newham [2011] EWHC 1890 (Admin), [2011] All ER (D) 10 (Oct)

Re G & E (Vulnerable Witness) (2011)

Re P (Forced Marriage) [2011] EWHC 3467 (Fam), [2011] 1 FLR 2060

M v M (Residence) [2010] EWHC 3579 (Fam), [2011] 1 FLR 1951

Re F [2008] EWCA Civ 842


Care Proceedings & Adoption

Gina has particular expertise in child fatalities and significant injuries, serious abuse with disputed medical evidence (often with linked criminal proceedings); allegations of sexual abuse; and fictitious illness.


International Family Law

Gina is an experienced and committed international family law practitioner. She is regularly instructed in the High Court in cases involving international parental child abduction and forced marriages, overseas divorces with foreign assets and has particular expertise in cases which involve family and immigration law. She has been involved in several high profile national news cases and a number of other cases at the forefront of legal developments in the family field.


Private Law Children Proceedings

Gina is regularly instructed in private law proceedings and has particular experience with parental alienation resulting in serious emotional abuse.


Court of Protection

Gina has an established practice in High Court cases, dealing with disputes over the welfare and property of adults lacking capacity under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. She also has experience of acting in inherent jurisdiction cases and provides urgent assistance in cases where capacity is in dispute, and where the welfare of an elderly, disabled or otherwise vulnerable person is at stake.

Recent cases include disputes over statutory wills; registration of powers of attorney; appointment of deputies; forced marriage; medical treatment decisions; deprivation of liberty (DOLS); and care, contact and residence. These frequently involve consideration of Articles 5 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.


Media Applications In Respect Of Publicity

Gina has been involved in cases that have attracted media attention, resulting in reporting and publicity orders being obtained.


Family Finance & Divorce

Gina has represented high profile individuals with high net worth, including those involving international issues, trusts and company assets.


Forced Marriage Protection Orders

Gina is instructed regularly in this area.

Notable Forced Marriage Protection Orders cases

Re P (Forced Marriage) [2011] EWHC 3467 (Fam), [2011] 1 FLR 2060


Public Law

Gina practises in all areas of public law and judicial review, local government law, European Union law and human rights law. Gina’s cases have included withdrawal of medical treatment, immigration and unlawful detention.

Because of her extensive family law experience Gina has a full and detailed understanding of the cross-over between family and public law in cases involving challenging the lawfulness of decisions made in family proceedings.

Notable Public Law cases

R (C) v Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police [2013] EWHC 1174 (Admin)

R (on application of Ayoub Khan) (Claimant) v Election Commissioner for the Aston Ward of Birmingham City Council (Defendant) & (i) Mohammed Afsal (ii) Birmingham City Council (iii) Secretary of State for Justice (interested parties) [2009] EWHC 1757 (Admin)

Birmingham City Council v VB & HC & IF [2008] EWHC 1224 (QB)


Judicial Review

Gina practises in all areas of public law and judicial review, local government law, European Union law and human rights law. Gina’s previous cases include withdrawal of medical treatment; immigration and unlawful detention.

Because of her extensive family law experience Gina has a full and detailed understanding of the cross-over between family and public law in cases involving challenging the lawfulness of decisions made in family proceedings. See for example R (C) v Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police [2013] EWHC 1174 (Admin).


Sports Law

Gina acted for Nottingham Rugby Club in its high profile dispute over a ground share agreement with Notts County FC.

Notable Sports Law cases

Nottingham Rugby Club v Notts County FC [2009] HC QBD


Instructing Gina Allwood

For more information please contact our clerks by calling +44 (0)20 7242 3555.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, please call Chambers mainline number +44 (0)20 7242 3555 and you will be directed to the out of hours phone lines.

As a direct access client, please visit our direct access page and complete the initial form, a member of the clerking team will then be in touch to discuss the next steps.

Choosing the right barrister for your case can be difficult, with so many to choose from. Our clerks will be happy to guide you with your choice. Their wealth of knowledge and experience will help you decide the right barrister not just for the case but someone who will work with you.

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Please visit our direct access page for the initial steps on instructing a barrister, or contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7242 3555.

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