<strong>About</strong>Avaia joined Parklane Plowden Chambers in October 2024 as a specialist Children and Court of Protection pupil under the supervision of Sara Anning and Rebecca Musgrove. During his first six, Avaia observed and assisted with a broad range of children and court of protection cases spanning the totality of these practice areas.<strong>Public Children</strong>Avaia has been exposed to the breadth of children cases, including: <ul> <li>Care proceedings, including non-accidental injury, serious neglect, and allegations of sexual harm</li> <li>Removals and emergency hearings</li> <li>Adoption Order hearings, including applications for permission to oppose and applications for post adoption contact</li> <li>Educational Supervision Orders</li> <li>Wardship and inherent jurisdiction applications</li> <li><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Deprivation of Liberty orders.</span></span></li> </ul> His exposure has also extended to observing and assisting on several appeals up to the Court of Appeal as well as novel and complex applications concerning international placements and the application of the Hague Conventions. He is regularly instructed in multi-day final hearings, including acting for parents, and has been commended for his bright written and oral submissions on complex matters.Avaia has successfully made arguments to not notify Consulates and Embassies, secured amended care plans in light of submissions on cultural competence, and has acted for Local Authorities in complex cases before s.9 judges.<strong>Court of Protection</strong>Avaia has had substantial exposure in Court of Protection health and welfare proceedings and is developing a substantial CoP practice, including: <ul> <li>General applications under s.16</li> <li>21A challenges (including removals from hospitals and transition from mental health units)</li> <li>Matters concerning those under 18 and transitions to adult services</li> <li>117 aftercare disputes</li> <li>Ordinary residence</li> <li>Injunctions against family members</li> <li><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Discharge and variation of Transparency Orders</span></span></li> </ul> Avaia has a specific interest and ability to deal with cases concerning acute and pervasive mental health difficulties as well as fractured family dynamics. He has acted for family members challenging capacity and residence, made successful submissions contesting P regaining capacity, and has recently acted in a case concerning covert administration of cannabis by a deputy.<strong>Private Children</strong>Avaia has assisted on and observed substantial private children work, including: <ul> <li>Child Arrangements Orders</li> <li>Specific Issues Orders, including change of name and relocation</li> <li>Prohibited Steps Orders, including removal from the jurisdiction (Hague and Non-Hague countries)</li> <li>Applications by non-parental family members</li> <li>16.4 guardian appointments</li> <li>Appeals</li> </ul> He has acted in final hearings for both applicant and respondent and has already been instructed in complex finding of fact hearings. Avaia is familiar with niche issues which arise in such cases, including covert recordings and alienating behaviour.<strong>Background</strong>Prior to commencing pupillage, Avaia worked as a legal officer for Bury Metropolitan Borough Council, managing a substantial caseload of public children matters involving vulnerable children and parents with a range of needs, including significant mental health issues and diminished cognition. He was responsible for leading pre-proceedings matters, progressing s.37 reports, and providing tailored advice to schools and social workers on the Local Authority’s statutory obligations to children in need. During this period, he gained insight into cases involving serious and sensitive allegations. Further, Avaia had oversight of several complex adoption matters and has a unique understanding of the progression of adoption cases, including Annex A and Annex B reports.Avaia was the lead fee earner on a novel judicial review concerning disability support and direct payments, resulting in two reported decisions: R (LHG) v Bury Council [2023] EWHC 3162 (Admin) and R (LHG) v Bury Council (No. 2) [2023] EWHC 3235 (Admin). And has since delivered talks on Local Authority duties and judicial review in respect of children demonstrating challenging mental health behaviour.Over the course of eight years, Avaia delivered training to more than 10,000 professionals, spanning social workers, police officers, government agencies, and schools, focusing on child protection with particular emphasis on sexual exploitation and radicalisation, as well as specialist insights into social media and the ‘dark web’. He has received specialist training in working with young victims of traumatic events, as well as crisis management and intervention. Avaia has continued such training and education during pupillage, producing numerous articles and updates in family law and CoP matters, as well as delivering presentations to local firms.Avaia is a committee member of Young Legal Aid Lawyers and is responsible for YLAL’s mentoring scheme, he is also the founder of The Nightingale Rights Initiative and maintains close links with Greater Manchester Law Centre. He has delivered talks on social mobility and access to the profession at Gray’s Inn and Matthew Bolton College, is an avid supporter of those from unconventional backgrounds coming to the Bar, and he regularly supports Gray’s Inn in delivering its annual introductory weekend moot and talks. He remains committed to championing social justice and advocating for society’s most vulnerable and has signed up to Advocates Pupil Pledge to make pro bono work a significant part of his practice.