Liz Adams

Liz Adams

Year of Call: 2021
Email Address: [email protected]
Telephone: 0121 289 4333

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Overview

Elizabeth Adams (Liz) is an Education and Family law barrister. She accepts instructions across all areas of family law, including financial remedies/TOLATA, public and private children law, and domestic abuse injunctions. Liz frequently appears on behalf of both parents, young people, and local authorities in the First Tier Tribunal for Special Educational Needs and Disability matters, with a particular interest in disputes around Education, Health and Care Plans.

Liz understands that Family and Education law matters are highly stressful for clients, with very high stakes and often with years’ worth of background events leading up to court applications. Liz’s calm and empathetic approach puts clients at ease and Liz prioritises making sure that her clients feel heard and understood. Liz is experienced with the Advocate’s Gateway Toolkits and has experience with representing and cross-examining vulnerable witnesses. Liz is experienced in matters where multiple health and social care professionals are involved, matters involving complex and/or co-morbid mental health and neurodiverse conditions, and matters involving alcohol and/or substance abuse.

Liz has a specialist interest in matters involving disability, neurodiversity, and/or special educational needs. Liz previously delivered pro bono legal advice with IPSEA, a charity that assists parents of children with additional needs with securing educational support. Liz’s experience in SEN, neurodiversity and disability in both Family and Education law greatly assist in matters where these issues cross over, such as in Family Court applications involving children with additional needs.

Liz completed her 12-month pupillage with 3PB and became a member of chambers in October 2023. Liz graduated with a first-class law degree before obtaining a distinction in her LLM, studied alongside her BPTC. Prior to pupillage, Liz worked with policymakers and charities to write and promote policies addressing domestic violence. She also advised on non-molestation and occupation orders through her work with the University of Law’s pro bono clinic.

Liz also worked for two years as the in-house counsel for a company specialising in water filtration and enhancement. She delivered practical advice that considered the commercial reality of the business. She dealt with commercial property leases, employment/HR advice, and intellectual property matters, and drafted and negotiated a wide range of domestic and cross-border commercial agreements. Liz’s drafting and negotiation skills greatly assist in financial remedy proceedings, where her attention to detail and practical approach are valued by clients. Liz’s corporate experience also assists in matters where Liz is representing organisations. Liz is adept at dealing with internal authorisation procedures and cross-department communication when taking instructions and giving advice.

Liz currently sits on a policy advisory group examining Science and Technology, including AI and its use in education, local government, and the legal sector. Liz takes a keen interest in how AI is impacting practitioners and clients in these areas and how issues relating to technology and AI may be dealt with effectively as they arise in cases.

As a previous Open Championship Irish dancer, in her spare time Liz continues to enjoy non-competitive dance for exercise, as well as Pilates, swimming and hiking.

Finance

Liz has a busy Financial Remedies practice and has experience in representing parties at all stages of the process from First Appointments, through interim applications and Financial Dispute Resolution hearings, to Final Hearing and considering enforcement issues.

Liz also accepts instructions in Schedule 1/TOLATA matters and has provided successful representation in such proceedings.

Liz also has experience of successfully securing costs orders against opponents for her clients.

Examples of matters that Liz has dealt with include:

  • Dealing with disclosure and compliance issues including successfully obtaining negative inferences.
  • Obtaining directions for expert evidence including PODE reports.
  • Matters involving pension issues and arguments relating to PAG2.
  • Matters involving issues around provision for children with additional needs.
  • Matters involving issues around working/earning capacity.
  • Spousal maintenance/interim periodical payments.
  • Determination of matrimonial/non-matrimonial property.
  • Determination of whether a loan from family members is a hard or soft loan.
  • Securing successful findings of dishonesty against a party who had submitted false evidence.
  • Proposing and negotiating a Mesher order in a final settlement in which the Judge described the settlement as ‘exactly the type of creative solution encouraged to meet needs’ in a low asset matter.

Liz accepts instructions for written work including advice on offers for settlement and prospects of success.

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