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Poonam Bhari

Year of Call: 1999
Email Address: poonam.bhari@3pb.co.uk
Telephone: 020 7583 8055

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Family

Poonam Bhari appears in the Family Court and specialises in public law children cases where there are allegations of sexual abuse, non-accidental injuries, death of a parent. Poonam undertakes cases with an international element including forced marriage, validity of a marriage and child abduction cases.

Poonam acts for parents, children’s guardians, the Official Solicitor and local authorities in public law children cases. Poonam has represented clients with mental health and learning difficulties and clients from minority ethnic groups.

During 2000-2005 Poonam undertook criminal and immigration law cases. She represented the Home Office and appellants in immigration hearings before the tribunal in relation to both asylum and human rights claims.

Poonam undertakes voluntary work. She has reviewed cases for the Bar Pro Bono Unit. Poonam was a Trustee of Legal Action Group (Charity) from 2004 to 2016 and Chair of the Board of Trustees for over 10 years. Poonam has been an Executive Committee member of the Association of Lawyers for Children.

Poonam was a former schoolteacher and special educational needs co-coordinator before retraining as a barrister.

Reported Cases

Publications

  • Recommendations

    ‘Poonam is a brilliant and effective communicator, not just on a professional level with Instructing Solicitors and the other parties but also with the lay clients and any relevant support networks that they have.’

    Legal 500 2022/Child Law (public and private)/Midlands Circuit

    ‘Her client handling is excellent.’

    Legal 500 2021/Child Law (public and private)/Midlands

    ‘A superb advocate.’

    Legal 500 2021/Children Law (including public and private law)/London

    ‘A strong family law generalist.’

    Legal 500 2020/    Family and Children Law/Midlands

    ‘Outstanding with clients and an excellent advocate.'

    Legal 500 2020/Children Law (including public and private law)/London

    "A family law specialist"

    Legal 500 2018/19/Family and Children Law/Midlands

    "An empathetic advocate"

    Legal 500 2018/19/Children Law (including public and private law)/London

    ‘‘Thank you Poonam and thank you so much for your hard work and advice this week’’

    Social worker

View Full CV
  • The Legal 500 - Leading Junior 2022 Logo

Legal 500 rankings

  • Leading Junior 2022

Academic qualifications

  • B.Ed (Hons)
  • MA in Education
  • Graduate Diploma in Professional Studies
  • Graduate Certificate in Applied Professional Studies
  • Graduate Diploma in Law
  • Bar Vocational Course
  • Trained Mediator (CALM Mediation, Open College Network)

Professional qualifications & appointments

  • Family Procedure Rule Committee Member (March 2021 to date)
  • Trained Mediator (CALM Mediation)

Professional bodies

Current:

  • Family Law Bar Association (West Midlands)
  • LexisNexis case analysis panel
  • Middle Temple
  • Midland Circuit Women’s Forum committee member

Previous:

  • Association of Lawyers for Children executive committee member 2016-2018
  • FLBA committee member 2006-2008
  • Fellow of Royal Society of Arts (FRSA)
  • Legal Action Group (Charity) member 2004-2016; Chair of Board of Trustees 2006-2016
  • The General Council of the Bar (Elected Member 2006-2008; Member of GMC and various Bar Council committees)
  • West London Law Society

Direct Access

Poonam Bhari is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public and professional clients under the Direct Public Access scheme.

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