About Nick
Nick is Head of the Public Law Children’s Team at McAlister Family Law.
He has specialised in the law relating to children for 25 years. Since 2001, Nick has been a member of the Law Society Children Law Accreditation Scheme allowing him to represent children in both public and private law Children Act proceedings. Prior to his current role, he was Partner and Head of Children Law at Slater & Gordon.
During his career Nick has represented parents, family relatives, children and a number of local authorities at all levels of the Family Court. In particular, Nick has experience of the most complex cases including serious non-accidental injury, child murder, adoption and sexual abuse cases. He regularly undertakes his own advocacy. Nick represented the children in the case of Re F (DNA testing) [2007] EWHC 3235. He also acted on a pro bono basis for some of the victims of the Manchester bomb in 2017. He represented three children in the case of Re AA &25 others [2019] EWFC 64, reported to be the largest known family law case to be heard in England and Wales.
Nick is a member of the Association of Lawyers for Children, a current committee member and former Chair of Child Concern, a charity that’s purpose is the multi-discipline training of all professionals involved in child protection. He is also the solicitor representative and member of the Education and Training committee of the Greater Manchester Family Forum (formerly the Family Justice Council). Nick has also delivered training to Manchester Metropolitan University.
Nick has written for a variety of prestigious publications, including Family Law Journal, and has been called upon to provide expert comment on children’s legal issues for BBC 1, ITV, BBC Radio Manchester and Talk Radio.
Nick has been described by Chambers and Partner as:
“Compassionate about what he does and always has the children at the centre of all cases. He is an excellent advocate and negotiator.”
“He is well regarded in the public law children arena.”
He has also been said to be “Very strong on care matters.” [Legal 500]
