Ajmal Azam

Call:2006

Introduction and Contact details

Ajmal is a Barrister specialising primarily in all aspects of Family Law and in addition, practices in Public Law and Property matters. Ajmal joined Hardwicke having completed Pupillage at Queen Elizabeth Building under the supervision of Stewart Leech, Oliver Wise, Jennifer Roberts and Elizabeth Clarke.

Ajmal’s has particular expertise in ancillary relief matters and interest in cases with a foreign element and has been involved in a wide variety of cases, at all levels including the High Court. Whilst primarily specialising in family, Ajmal has been involved with and has experience of general civil law matters including housing, the Mental Capacity Act and vulnerable adults, landlord and tenant, and contractual disputes.

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 is 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.

Tel: 020 7242 2523
E-mail: ajmal.azam@hardwicke.co.uk
Fax: 020 7691 1234

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.

PROPERTY & PRIVATE CLIENT

Family - Breakdown and Finance

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

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 client expectations.

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.

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.

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.

PUBLIC

The main focus of Ajmal’s Public Law practice relates to Court of Protection and Mental Capacity matters involving the well-being, property and affairs of vulnerable adults who lack capacity. Within family law matters, Ajmal has particular experience of matters with a public policy dimension such as involvement of the Queen’s Proctor, interventions by the Attorney General, allegations of forced marriage, the validity and recognition of marriage. Ajmal is also experienced in matters relating to forced marriage and advising schools and local authorities in respect of the same.

Court of Protection & Mental Capacity

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 young 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.

COMMERCIAL

The main focus of Ajmal’s Commercial practice relates to professional negligence arising from the conduct of divorce and ancillary relief matters.

Employment

Ajmal has a keen interest in employment matters with experience in advising as to discrimination claims, unfair dismissal and human resource issues with a broad spectrum of clients ranging from small businesses and charities to large commercial organisations.

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.