Ajmal Azam

Introduction & Contact details

Ajmal is a Barrister specialising in Property and Private Client matters with a particular focus on Family Law, Mental Health and Capacity, Inheritance Act and probate claims and TOLATA disputes.

Ajmal joined Hardwicke having completed Pupillage at Queen Elizabeth Building under the supervision of Stewart Leech, Oliver Wise, Jennifer Roberts and Elizabeth Clarke.

Ajmal appears in both the Family and Chancery Divisions and has an expanding Court of Protection practice. His broad yet specialised experience is ideal in cases where there are inter-disciplinary issues arising. Ajmal has broad experience in Professional Negligence actions relating to those practice areas outlined above.

Ajmal has served as a Parliamentary researcher and completed an internship at the Office of the Attorney General advising as to the intervention of the Attorney General and the Queen’s Proctor in family law matters, often concerning the validity and recognition of overseas marriage.

Ajmal has been particularly noted for his sensitive manner combined with a tough yet pragmatic and considered approach, with a capacity to manage both case logistics and case expectations. Ajmal is heavily involved with charitable and pro-bono work as a Trustee of Home-Start, a volunteer at the Centre 70 Legal Advice Centre and Legal Counsel to a number of charities who assist women with forced marriage difficulties, domestic abuse issues and persons with mental health difficulties.

Interests

Ajmal is a passionate supporter of Liverpool Football club. He considers himself to be an authority on classic movies, and enjoys travelling, playing football, fine dining, classical music, the theatre and playing chess whenever he has some leisure time.

Qualifications

• LLB Laws
• University College London (UCL)
• Prince of Wales Scholar; Gray’s Inn  

Professional Associations

• Association of Children’s Lawyers
• Constitutional and Administrative Law Bar Association
• Family Law Bar Association
• Property Bar Association
• Resolution (affiliate member)

T: 020 7242 2523
F: 020 7691 1234
E: ajmal.azam@hardwicke.co.uk

Family

Family - Breakdown and Finance

Ajmal has particular expertise in, advising and drafting prenups, postnups and cohabitation agreements. He has regularly advised high net worth individuals and has given presentations to professional bodies and written articles on the subject of prenuptial agreements.

Ajmal has experience in a broad spectrum of ancillary relief cases ranging from cases involving civil partnerships, high net worth individuals, complex trust arrangements, immigration complications, pre-nuptial agreements, and jurisdictional disputes, including matters relating to Sharia Law. Ajmal is proficient in obtaining, and advising as to, the enforcement of orders, injunctive relief under the MCA 1973 and pursuant to the Inherent Jurisdiction.

Ajmal has experience of matters involving forced marriage and has advised extensively as to the implications of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007. Ajmal has frequently been instructed in applications for non-molestation and occupation orders, both contested and uncontested, from the without notice hearing through to final hearing, oft involving serious domestic violence.

Ajmal presented a seminar at leading family solicitors Osbornes as to the new Family Procedure Rules 2010. The Rules, which came into force on 6th April 2011, provide a single set of rules of court for family proceedings in the High Court, county courts and magistrates' courts, on the model first established by the Civil Procedure Rules.

http://www.osbornes.net/downloads/2011/The%20New%20Family%20Procedure%20Rules.pdf

Islamic / Sharia Law

Ajmal is able to advise on all matters concerning Islamic/sharia law arising in respect of Islamic marriage and divorce (talaq) whether in England and Wales or overseas, as well as contractual claims and disputes over dowry arising therefrom.

Family - Children

Ajmal has vast experience in Children Act matters including cases involving implacable hostility as to contact, residence applications, permanent and temporary leave to remove from the jurisdiction and child abduction. In particular, Ajmal has dealt with cases involving substance abuse, serious domestic violence and allegations of sexual abuse.

Court of Protection

Ajmal has experience in matters concerning mental capacity both in the Family Division of the High Court and the Court of Protection. Ajmal has in particular been instructed where there have been concurrent family law and Mental Capacity Act proceedings where the issue of incapacity is raised; his experience in both fields proving to be a significant asset for clients.

Ajmal has acted in matters concerning the property, affairs, healthcare and personal welfare of vulnerable adults who may lack capacity. In particular he has experience in issues surrounding deprivation of liberty and the DOLS, vulnerable adults (who have often been in care) with significant mental health difficulties and has acted for both local authorities and families in applications for declarations of capacity and best interests, particularly in relation to contact and residence disputes and welfare and financial decisions.

Ajmal is happy to advise on all aspects of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 including the deprivation of liberty safeguards as well as the appointment of deputies and matters relating to powers of attorney.

Trusts & Probate

Inheritance & Probate

Ajmal has a particular interest and specialism in applications pursuant to the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975, and can assist at all stages of any such claim. Ajmal advises and represents clients in both contentious and non-contentious probate matters. He deals with challenges to the validity of wills, questions as to the construction or variation of wills, issues arising over grants of probate or letters of administration, and the management and distribution of the estate.

Trusts of Land

Ajmal has had conduct of applications pursuant to the Trust of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (including consolidated applications involving Schedule 1 to the Children Act) and advises as to potential claims, co-habitation agreements and the law in respect of co-habitation disputes.

Professional Negligence

Ajmal has particular experience of professional negligence litigation concerning solicitors arising in the course of divorce, ancillary relief and Children Act proceedings. Ajmal, a trustee of a number of charities, also advises as to negligence involving trustees of charitable organisations.