Poonam Bhari

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

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Family

Poonam 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 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 Prop 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

HA (A Child : placement of a child abroad) [2019] EWFC B2 (09 January 2019 ). Poonam represented the respondent father in this case.
S v D (Hague Convention: Domestic Abuse: Undertakings: Return to Third State) [2019] EWHC 56 (Fam) (15 January 2019)
M v F [2018] EWHC 1949 Fam (04 July 2018) - International relocation case
C (A Child) [2009] EWCA Civ 72 (02 January 2009)
O (A Child), Re [2012] EWCA Civ 1576 (01 November 2012)
O (A Child), Re [2012] EWCA Civ 1955 (05 December 2012)
Birmingham City Council v Riaz & Ors (Rev 3) [2014] EWHC 4247 (Fam) (15 December 2014)
A & Anor v A Local Authority & Anor [2014] EWHC 4816 (Fam) (17 December 2014)
M'P-P (Children), Re [2015] EWCA Civ 584 (11 June 2015)
Medway Council v MI & Ors [2016] EWFC 74 (04 August 2016)
Medway Council v MI & Ors [2017] EWFC 59 (03 February 2017)

Immigration cases – unreported

Hassan v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [17.07.2001] HX/19029/2001
Begum v Entry Clearance Officer (Islamabad) [24.07.2001] TH/22144/01
Luma v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [31.10.2001] CC-14839-01
Chiejina v Entry Clearance Officer (Lagos) [03.10.2001] TH/30071/2001
Hamed v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [22.01.2002] UKIAT CC/34720/2002
Nawaz v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [21.05.2002] HX/60851/2000
Garrido v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [15.03.2002] HX/03103/2002
Shirazi v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [28.03.2002] HX/17673/2001
Sadeghi v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [11.09.2003] HX/37386/2002

Publications

Provision of undertakings in response to defence under Article 13(b) of Hague Convention 1980 (S (Father) v D (Mother)) - This article was first published on Lexis®PSL Family on 28 January 2019.
Experts: Maintaining and Expanding the Pool, Family Law February 2005. Co - Author: Dr Claire Sturge
Transparency in Family Proceedings, The Circuiteer, Spring 2007, Issue 24
Family Affairs - FLBA Newsletter - Occasional Contributor [1999 – 2006]
Children Law UK Newsletter - Occasional Contributor [1999 – 2006]

Recommendations

‘A strong family law generalist.’
Legal 500 2020/Family and Children Law - Tier 1 - Midlands

‘Outstanding with clients and an excellent advocate.'
Legal 500 2020/Children Law (including public and private law) - Tier 4 - London

"A family law specialist"
Legal 500 2018/19/Family and Children Law - Tier 1 - Midlands

"An empathetic advocate"
Legal 500 2018/19/Children Law (including public and private law) - Tier 4 - London

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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

Professional qualifications & appointments

Trained Mediator (CALM Mediation)
Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA)

Professional bodies

The General Council of the Bar (Elected Member 2006-2008; Member of GMC and various Bar Council committees)
Middle Temple
Midland Circuit
Family Law Association (West Midlands); 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
Association of Lawyers for Children executive committee member 2016-2018
British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering
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.

More Information

News

3PB Family strengthens its London team with arrival of Poonam Bhari
3PB’s booming London team has been joined by senior barrister Poonam Bhari from rival chambers St Phillips. Poonam is well known nationally as a leading fa...
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