I offer expertise in all areas of family law, private law disputes regarding contact with children, public law cases where the Local Authority have commenced care proceedings and ancillary relief and divorce cases.
My approach
I am very thorough and well organised, I prefer potential clients to explain the background to their case via e mail and then I will set up a face to face meeting (if that is possible) in order to obtain a thorough knowledge of their situation. There will be no charge for my initial consideration of the case on the papers but, the face to face conference would involve a modest fixed fee.
I am based in the North east of England However, I am prepared to travel to my clients and would charge the costs of travel.
Costs: I usually set fixed fees, so that you know exactly how much you will have to pay. I am able to assist and advise with case management and the preparation of statements.
My work
Here are a couple of examples of cases that I have done:
(1) I was contacted by a Father who was not being allowed to have any contact with his young son. His ex-partner had made several allegations against him and raised numerous hurdles to contact. From a detailed conference with the client it was very clear that the Mother suffered a poor relationship with her own parents after their separation, and had a fear of losing the child to the Applicant Father if she allowed a bond to develop. It was also abundantly clear that the majority of Mother’s concerns centred around Father’s new relationship. This case became very protracted and involved several complaints by the Mother about the Judges involved, the Cafcas officer and Father himself. The allegations and behaviour of the Mother necessitated a very sensitive handling of this case and involved numerous conferences with a client who was accused of issues that led to him being suspended from a very important job. A robust but, sensitive handling of the case, coupled with a commitment to the client, led to a final order and Father being allowed the opportunity to develop a healthy relationship with his young son.
(2) One of my family clients had been representing himself in proceedings to seek contact with his daughter. His attempts to liaise with the Mother in person had resulted in him being made the subject of a non-molestation order and subject to criminal proceedings for breaching that order. Once I became instructed I was able to advise the client about the implications of the order and advise him to commit his requests to writing in order to comply with the terms of the Order. After only two court hearings the Judge had dismissed the non-molestation order and finalised a contact order resuming father’s contact with his daughter.
About me
I have been a barrister since 1999, and have over 17 years of experience in practice of both criminal and family law.
I live in the beautiful and peaceful Tyne Valley in Northumberland with my daughter, 3 faithful beagle hounds and 3 horses. My daughter is a very active and successful amateur show jumper which takes us both all over the country for competitions at national level culminating in qualifying for the Horse of the Year Show finals of the Horseware silver league show jumping finals in October.
What my clients say
"Alison was amazing- her calm and sensitive approach to my case was incredibly reassuring. She would always answer my emails or calls immediately which I found invaluable especially when I felt anxious. During the trial she diverted my concerns in a supportive and clever way in order to keep keep me focused and less nervous. She was incredibly organised and thorough, explaining legal terms that I did not understand with patience and in a succinct way. Alison's expertise is evident and her genuine, down to earth nature and humour were much appreciated. Thoroughly recommended." - Ruth Retamino
"Ms Howey’s professional and supportive approach was simply exemplary, Ms Howey would return texts or calls promptly, along with representing my views professionally and concisely to the sitting judge. I can honestly say that without Ms Howey’s support I would not now be in ownership of such a comprehensive final order that allows my child to enjoy quality and meaningful time with their father."
Professional & academic
I studied Law at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle from 1994 to 1998. I completed the Bar Vocational Course at the University of Northumbria in 1999.
I was called to the Bar in July 1999.
I was accredited by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) to teach advocacy at post graduate level, in 2012. In 2013 I was approved by the BSB as a Pupil Supervisor and an Approved Training Organisation in order to take on a pupil barrister. I obtained a Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching (PGHEP) from the University of Northumbria in 2014 and am now a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA).