Avaia Williams (pupil)
About
About
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.
Public Children
Avaia has been exposed to the breadth of children cases, including:
- Care proceedings, including non-accidental injury, serious neglect, and allegations of sexual harm
- Removals and emergency hearings
- Adoption Order hearings, including applications for permission to oppose and applications for post adoption contact
- Educational Supervision Orders
- Wardship and inherent jurisdiction applications
- Deprivation of Liberty orders.
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.
Court of Protection
Avaia has had substantial exposure in Court of Protection health and welfare proceedings and is developing a substantial CoP practice, including:
- General applications under s.16
- 21A challenges (including removals from hospitals and transition from mental health units)
- Matters concerning those under 18 and transitions to adult services
- 117 aftercare disputes
- Ordinary residence
- Injunctions against family members
- Discharge and variation of Transparency Orders
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.
Private Children
Avaia has assisted on and observed substantial private children work, including:
- Child Arrangements Orders
- Specific Issues Orders, including change of name and relocation
- Prohibited Steps Orders, including removal from the jurisdiction (Hague and Non-Hague countries)
- Applications by non-parental family members
- 16.4 guardian appointments
- Appeals
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.
Background
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.
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Contact Avaia Williams (pupil)
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Avaia Williams (pupil)
About
About
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.
Public Children
Avaia has been exposed to the breadth of children cases, including:
- Care proceedings, including non-accidental injury, serious neglect, and allegations of sexual harm
- Removals and emergency hearings
- Adoption Order hearings, including applications for permission to oppose and applications for post adoption contact
- Educational Supervision Orders
- Wardship and inherent jurisdiction applications
- Deprivation of Liberty orders.
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.
Court of Protection
Avaia has had substantial exposure in Court of Protection health and welfare proceedings and is developing a substantial CoP practice, including:
- General applications under s.16
- 21A challenges (including removals from hospitals and transition from mental health units)
- Matters concerning those under 18 and transitions to adult services
- 117 aftercare disputes
- Ordinary residence
- Injunctions against family members
- Discharge and variation of Transparency Orders
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.
Private Children
Avaia has assisted on and observed substantial private children work, including:
- Child Arrangements Orders
- Specific Issues Orders, including change of name and relocation
- Prohibited Steps Orders, including removal from the jurisdiction (Hague and Non-Hague countries)
- Applications by non-parental family members
- 16.4 guardian appointments
- Appeals
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.
Background
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.
Avaia accepts instructions in all areas of children law, having specialised extensively in this area during pupillage. He has observed and assisted in a wide range of public law proceedings, including finding of fact and final hearings spanning numerous days. Further, Avaia has been exposed to novel and complex applications Educational Supervision Orders, Adoption Order hearings (including applications for leave to oppose and post-adoption contact), wardship applications, s.26 post-placement contact applications, international placements and adoption and Deprivation of Liberty orders. His experience also extends to appeals, having supported matters progressing up to the Court of Appeal.
He is well-versed in handling highly sensitive matters and has been involved in cases concerning serious allegations, including non-accidental injury, sexual abuse, and chronic neglect.
Avaia is familiar with disputes concerning change of name, relocation, and removal from the jurisdiction applications; Avaia understands cross-border issues and the application of the Hague Conventions as well as niche international instruments including the Vienna Conventions and the UNCRC. He is mindful of the emotional and practical challenges that families face and provides pragmatic, detail-oriented advice to achieve outcomes that safeguard children’s welfare.
Prior to pupillage, Avaia managed a substantial public children caseload at Bury Metropolitan Borough Council, advising on pre-proceedings matters and statutory obligations to children in need, managing adoption cases and applications to revoke placement orders, and running multiple complex care proceedings involving silk. This background enables him to offer invaluable insight into the workings of local authorities and to provide nuanced, informed representation for all parties involved.
Avaia is fiercely passionate about ensuring that the child’s voice is heard within proceedings and vulnerable parties are afforded full participation.
Avaia is able to represent and advise at all stages in Family Law Act proceedings for non-molestation and occupation orders.
Some of Avaia’s recent instructions in this area include:
- Applications for non-notification to a state
- Inherent jurisdiction applications in the National DoL Court
- Final Inflicted Injury hearing representing a father from Nigeria where culture was a key factor
- Final hearing representing a Local Authority seeking Placement Orders due to parental mental health and substance misuse
- Multi-day Finding of Fact dealing with coercive and controlling behaviour
Avaia’s Court of Protection practice focuses on health and welfare matters, including applications to remove deputies, s.16 applications for change of residence and contact, s.21A challenges, disputes about ordinary residence, and issues arising from s.117 aftercare responsibilities.
Avaia has also developed experience in cases involving those under 18 transitioning into adult services, as well as individuals with acute and pervasive mental health needs and cases with concurrent proceedings and investigations in the Criminal Justice System.
He is well versed in the use of the Inherent Jurisdiction within the Court of Protection and his master’s thesis focused on the powers of the court in respect to “vulnerable but capacious” parties.
Avaia regularly represents Local Authorities and family parties within proceedings and brings a pragmatic mindset to cases, drilling into the key issues and identifying a clear way forward.
Drawing on his background experiences, Avaia balances clear, pragmatic legal advice with a sensitive understanding of the emotional strain these proceedings can place on everyone involved. Avaia remains dedicated to ensuring that the rights and best interests of those lacking capacity are protected.
Some of Avaia’s recent instructions in this area include:
- s.16 application by a daughter challenging placement following P moving towards end of life
- Urgent s.21A challenge following a parent’s threats to end the life of P
- Case management considering private cannabis prescriptions for a P with severe epilepsy and administration of the same
- Successfully challenging a Form 4 suggesting P had regained capacity
- Securing a finely balanced declaration that home visits were in P’s best interests
- Family Law Bar Association
- Court of Protection Bar Association
- Court of Protection Practitioners Association (CoPPA)
- Gray’s Inn
Re AA (2025) - Sole counsel representing the Local Authority at a final hearing concerning an Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Child. Successfully argued for non-notification to the surviving father and the state of origin due to "risk of execution".
AA v BB (2025) - Sole counsel representing the Respondent in an appeal against the making of a Non-Molestation Order in their favour. Successfully argued against all 58 grounds of appeal.
Avaia has produced a significant number of articles on a variety of topics, including being published in Family Law Journal, The Barrister Magazine, and on The Local Government Lawyer. In addition, he regularly prepares case updates and summaries for Chambers. Below are a selection of Avaia's highlighted pieces.
Post adoption contact – PLWG best practice: a guide
- Lancaster University – LLB (Human Rights) – First Class
- BPP University – LLM – Merit
- BPP University – BPTC – Distinction
- Elizabeth Ann Curnow Scholar – Gray’s Inn
- Career Commitment Scholar – BPP
- Excellency Scholar – BPP
- Access to the Profession Scholar – Lancaster University
- Best Academic Performance in Submissions Advocacy – BPP
