Source: http://www.coramchambers.co.uk/alex-laing/
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 20:57:13+00:00

Document:
Alex specialises in children and finance law, particularly cases with an international element.
He was the top barrister of his Call to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn across all areas of law. Alex is the only member of the Family Bar twice to have won the Family Law Awards: Young Barrister of the Year (2018 and 2016). He has the unique distinction of being the Outstanding Newcomer in the Field of Children Law: ALC (2017) and the Family Law Awards: Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year (2017).
Alex is frequently instructed in leading cases reported in the national press: for example, The Times, Daily Telegraph, Evening Standard, Daily Mail, Express. His work in complex areas was described by Sir James Munby P as “very impressive” ( EWCA Civ 1112) and “illuminating” ( EWHC 2271 (Fam)).
Alex studied history and modern languages at Trinity College Dublin for which he was awarded a First, an honorary distinction and the Gold Medal for receiving a First in each and every paper, essay and dissertation (famous recipients include Samuel Beckett, Nobel laureate). As part of that, Alex spent a year at the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain; subsequently, he completed a masters-level programme at the Universidad para la Paz in Costa Rica (distinction: 1st in year). Alex completed the GDL (distinction) and the BPTC (outstanding) at the City Law School, London, where he won the Everard Van Heyden prize.
Before coming to the Bar, Alex worked for the United Nations in El Salvador. At that time, El Salvador suffered from the highest murder rate of any country not in open war. His primary tasks were to help investigate corruption in the justice system and introduce electoral reform; he also worked with charities assisting ex “maras” (or gang members) to reintegrate into society.
Alex speaks and writes fluent Spanish. He holds a DELE Diploma C2 (equivalent to doctorate level: certifies “mastery”).
Alex appears in complex public, private and international children law cases. In addition to his daily practice of public and private children law, he has a particular interest in international child abduction, deprivation of liberty and the interaction of domestic children law and the Human Rights Act 1998.
Alex has appeared in a significant number of reported and appellate cases in this field: see cases. That includes leading cases on: secure accommodation / deprivation of liberty (T (A Child)  EWCA Civ 2136); international artificial insemination (J v K  EWFC 32); section 20 accommodation (Williams  UKSC 37); county-line drug running and wardship (A Local Authority  EWHC 1121 (Fam)); and, frequently, international child abduction (Letts v Letts  EWHC 1639 (Fam), AB v CD  EWHC 1021 (Fam), J (A Child)  EWCA Civ 80).
Alex is the co-author of two of the leading books on public and private children law: Laing and Jackson: Public Children Law: Contemporary Issues (1st edn., 2018) – and – Child Protection and the Family Court: What You Need to Know (3rd edn., 2019), with Sir Andrew McFarlane P and Madeleine Reardon. In addition, Alex is published extensively in print and online and lectures on children law.
He was recently instructed in relation to the much-publicised Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse on behalf of a high-profile participant as part of the investigation into the Roman Catholic Church.
Alex practises in finance cases, particularly those with an international element. That includes TLATA and schedule 1 to the Children Act 1989. He has been instructed in numerous finance appeals and has a particular interest in the interaction of domestic and EU law.
Alex has appeared in leading appellate cases in this field: see cases. That includes the leading case on the application of the EU Maintenance Regulation in intra-UK divorces / section 27 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973: Villiers v Villiers  EWCA Civ 1120. In 2018, that case was reported as a “case to watch” and is due to be heard by the UK Supreme Court in 2019. Also, the leading case on the application of Brussels I to domestic TLATA law, there in the context of a tri-jurisdictional TLATA appeal: Magiera v Magiera  EWCA Civ 1292.
Alex’s finance work was in 2018 reported in The Times, Daily Telegraph, Evening Standard, Daily Mail, Express, and featured heavily in the Scottish press. In addition, Alex is published widely on issues in finance law, including for Family Law (journal), Family Law Week and The Review (Resolution).
Alex’s writing is described as “very good and a remarkably helpful and simple way to choose the right application” (Andrew Pack of Suesspicious Minds).

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