Avaia joined Parklane Plowden Chambers as a tenant in October 2025 following a specialist Children and Court of Protection pupillage under the supervision of Sara Anning, Rebecca Musgrove, and Lucy Sowden. Avaia has observed and assisted with a broad range of children and court of protection cases spanning the totality of these practice areas and has quickly developed a busy children and CoP practice.<strong>Public Children</strong>Avaia has been exposed to the breadth of children cases and has already been instructed on numerous complex matters, 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> <li>Niche applications under International Law</li> <li>Advices on the application of the 1993 Hague Convention (International Adoption)</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, the application of the Hague Conventions, and arguments under esoteric treaties. 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, successfully achieved reunification against LA and CG positions, obtained FGM Protection Orders, appeared in the National DoLS Court, successful obtained s.91(14) and s.34(4) orders, and has acted for Local Authorities in complex cases before s.9 judges.Avaia is developing a niche interest in cases concerning significant cultural elements, particularly parents from West Africa in cases pleading physical chastisement and abuse; he also has an emerging enthusiasm for international children law and the application of the Hague Conventions.<strong>Court of Protection</strong>Avaia has had substantial exposure in Court of Protection health and welfare proceedings and is a sought after junior CoP practitioner on Circuit, 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>s.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> <li>Applications for Deputyship</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 and is often instructed for his ability to manage fractious and heightened proceedings. He is particularly interested in the law on transparency within the Court of Protection and has successfully sought amended Transparency Orders to allow for greater freedom of speech within proceedings.He has acted for family members challenging capacity and residence, made successful submissions contesting P regaining capacity, and has acted in a case concerning covert administration of cannabis by a deputy. Avaia regularly acts for Local Authorities, interested family members, P, and ICBs. Due to his children practice, Avaia brings specialist insight where P has involvement with, or is transitioning from, Children's Services.<strong>Private Children</strong>Avaia has assisted on and observed substantial private children work and now acts on the widest range of matters across the jurisdiction, including: <ul> <li>Child Arrangements Orders</li> <li>Specific Issues Orders, including change of name and domestic and international relocation</li> <li>Prohibited Steps Orders, including temporary removal from the jurisdiction (Hague and Non-Hague countries)</li> <li>Applications by non-parental family members</li> <li>Special Guardianship Order Revocation</li> <li>16.4 guardian appointments</li> <li>Interested persons and intervenors, including acting for Local Authorities on quasi-public matters</li> <li>Appeals</li> </ul> He has acted in final hearings for both applicant and respondent as well as intervenor Local Authorities and has been instructed in complex finding of fact hearings concerning parental alienating behaviours, "shaking" of a baby, sought findings of rape and sexual assault, and allegations of fabrication of behavioural conditions. Avaia is familiar with niche issues which arise in such cases, including covert recordings, alienating behaviour, and the impact of specific mental health diagnoses including EUPD and PTSD.Avaia is sought after for his empathetic yet clear approach to private law applications. He has successfully argued for the imposition of s.91(14) orders and secured interim contact against serious allegations by the other parent. Avaia brings a pragmatic approach beyond his call.<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 and the inner working of the post-placement process, both domestic and internationally.Avaia also carried a case load of general public and administrative matters and was the lead fee earner on a novel judicial review concerning disability support and direct payments, resulting in two reported decisions: <em>R (LHG) v Bury Council</em> [2023] EWHC 3162 (Admin) and <em>R (LHG) v Bury Council (No. 2)</em> [2023] EWHC 3235 (Admin). He 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, central government agencies, and schools, focusing on child protection with particular emphasis on sexual exploitation and extremist radicalisation, as well as subject expert 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 and Local Authorities.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 regularly comments on issues of importance to the field of human rights. He has delivered several talks on social mobility and access to the profession to local schools and colleges, 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 is a significant contributor to pro bono work, through both Advocate and Not Beyond Redemption. Avaia is one of Chambers Pro Bono Champions and sits on Chambers Outreach Committee.

Lydia Reed accepted tenancy at Parklane Plowden in September 2025, following successful completion of her pupillage. She was supervised by Hylton Armstrong, Andrew Sugarman and Anna Datta.Lydia has a keen interest in employment law. She acts for both Claimants and Respondents in preliminary hearings and multi-day final hearings. She has built a particular practice in the Scottish Employment Tribunals. This has ensured she is familiar with both examination in chief, and cross examining on her feet. Her advocacy style is confident and concise.Prior to pupillage, Lydia represented members at the Cleaners and Allied Independent Workers’ Union. This ensured she has an understanding of Claimant work and internal grievance hearings. She is approachable and detailed in her approach to all matters. She puts clients at ease and regularly acts pro bono for Claimants through Advocate. Lydia is committed to access to justice and completed the Advocate pupil pledge during pupillage. She has also volunteered with University of Bristol Law Clinic, University of Law Employment LiP Support Service and St Mungo’s.Her advisory work includes merits assessments, advice on prospects and advice on quantum. She cuts through bundles and identifies key issues promptly.Lydia also practices in personal injury and clinical negligence. She regularly appears in the County Court in small claims and fast track trials for Claimants and Defendants. Lydia is also familiar with making applications per the Civil Procedural Rules.