Alex Verdan KC

He also has extensive experience in Inquiries both Public and Part 8, e.g. currently representing Lambeth BC and Leicestershire CC in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), representing one of the local authorities in the Climbie Inquiry, being Counsel to the Isle of Man Commission of Inquiry into the Care of Young People.

He was instructed by the children in reputedly the longest running care case in English legal history; the threshold hearing lasting for some 5 months.

He regularly advises local authorities on policy issues.

Alex also advises the media in relation to various aspects of family law.

He has been in practice for over 30 years and in that time has built up extensive experience in all types of children cases. Although the majority of his practice is now in London, he travels regularly to courts across the country and to various International jurisdictions.

Alex regularly lectures at family law conferences eg at Dartington Hall. for Jordans and at  seminars and provides training for judges (through the Judicial Studies Board), solicitors, psychiatrists and social workers.

He writes for various publications including Family Law Week, Solicitors Journal, New Law Journal, and is currently one of the editors for Butterworths Family Law Service

“Alex Verdan is superb at what he does. At his level one expects his knowledge of the law to be very good but what he offers in addition is:

1. A very approachable style. As a solicitor one feels welcome to contact him as and when needed without having to send formal instructions. He is flexible, responsive, and easy to contact. At the same time he is respectful of the solicitor’s role and relationship with the client.

2. His client handling skills are very good / superb. He is gentle and sensitive but doesnt pull his punches where needed in explaining risks / possible adverse outcomes etc.

3. His written work is good and he appears measured and thoughtful in court which is a gift in children work.”
Pamela Collis

“Alex is top of the premiere division in terms of advocacy. An excellent ‘bed side’ manner with clients and a great eye for detail. A calm and measured approach and an ability to achieve unlikely results.”
Sean McNally

“Alex has an excellent client manner and is superb in cross examination.”
Lisa Jones

“Calm and authoritative in advice (instinctively you know that you can cleave to his advice and assessments);
Focused and effective in court (reads the court, says what is needed with conviction and moves on);
Highly available and supportive (very user friendly for briefing solicitors);
Definitely a rock for when you are in a hard place.”
James Pirrie

“Alex is a meticulous campaigner who provides advice and results in a calm and authorative manner. On his feet Alex delivers lethal cross examination often cloaked in such reasonable terms that few can see the storm coming. The children’s silk of choice for any complex case.”
Mark Freedman

“I have had the pleasure of working with Alex on a number of difficult and complicated children cases over the last few years. He has a calm and measured court room manner which makes him a firm favourite with the Judges. He knows the law, does not take bad points, is always very well prepared and is very good at empathising with clients. He has a good sense of humor and is a pleasure to work with. I am confident that if I instruct Alex on a case my client will receive a first class service. Alex is one of the best QC’s at the Family Bar who specialise in this area of law and I commend him to anyone who is in need of his expertise.
Julian Ribet

“I had the good fortune to be recommended Alex Verdan’s professional services via a legal adviser.

During what proved to be a highly complex and extremely difficult case, Alex was faultless in every sense. His understanding of the matters at hand, grasp of the case load overall and management of all professionals concerned was commendable.

From day one, I was put at ease as a client – at no point did I doubt for an instant that Alex was anything less than 100% in control – in private conference his manner is reassuring and comforting, whilst always laying out the balance of issues, giving an overview to me as the client.

“I would unreservedly recommend Alex in this very specialist area of Child Law. We worked on a very complex, high profile case, that had previously proved very difficult. His guidance and insights were both proactive and pragmatic. He is a dream advocate and achieved every milestone he set for our client.”
Richard Harbord

“I have no hesitation in recommending Alex as a barrister in Family Law work. He has assisted me in several cases and been great to work with. He is proactive, an excellent advocate and always willing to go the extra mile for the client. I am truly impressed!”
Suzanne Kingston

“A cool head, an exceptional advocate and a great tactician.
Michael Rowlands

“Alex is a dream barrister. He is expert in his subject of children law, he speaks with authority, he wins his clients’ trust and he is very easy to work with. What I most enjoy about working with Alex, and there are many things, is the attentiveness which he brings to cases. Ideas are treated with respect, questions promptly responded to, expectations managed sensitively, and clients made to feel that they and their views are important.

Alex is also trained as a mediator and a collaborative lawyer, the skills of which he transfers with ease to his work as an advocate.

I cannot recommend him highly enough.”
Gillian Bishop

“Having instructed and worked alongside Alex, I have been very impressed by his impeccable knowledge and skill in the Court room. His ability to handle the most sensitive and complex cases with ease is a great attribute. Alex is gracious and inspiring to watch in the Court room. He is able to manage the client’s expectations to the highest standard. It has been a pleasure to work with Alex and I would not hesitate to instruct him again.”
Laura Burrows

Head of chambers and indubitably a force in the field of children law. His caseload sees him handling matters concerning the most severe and complex of children issues. He has expertise in everything from the most serious public law issues to the placement of high-profile people’s children.

Strengths: “Judges and advocates hang on his every word, and he’s an absolute joy to listen to either in court or in conference. He gives common sense, wise advice and is brilliant both in writing and orally.” “So accomplished, he just doesn’t put a foot wrong.”

Recent work: Acted for the Family Rights Group as intervener in Williams v Hackney, a highly significant Supreme Court case about the use of Section 20 of the Children Act 1989 pertaining to the voluntary accommodation of children by local authorities.
Chambers & Partners 2020
Star Individual

‘Deserves all the plaudits that he gets.’
Legal 500, 2020
Top Tier

Head of chambers and indubitably a force in the field of children law. His caseload sees him handling matters concerning the most severe and complex of children issues. He has expertise in everything from the most serious public law issues to the placement of high-profile people’s children.

Strengths: “Outstanding in his field.” “An exceptional advocate and strategist. His client care is faultless, his documents are succinct and persuasive, and his advocacy is second to none.”
Chambers & Partners 2019
Star Individual

‘He is fantastic at calming clients and is incredibly well-prepared.’
Legal 500, 2019
Top Tier  

Head of chambers and indubitably a force in the field of children law. His caseload sees him handling matters concerning the most severe and complex of children issues. He has expertise in everything from the most serious public law issues to the placement of high-profile people’s children.
Strengths: “Perhaps the number one silk for private children work. His bedside manner with clients is superb, and his position statements are succinct, precise and no longer than necessary. His advocacy skills are second to none and he never makes a bad point. He is listened to by judges and invariably gets the desired result. A classy operator and outstanding team leader. The complete package.”
Chambers & Partners 2018
Star Individual

‘He influences the court effortlessly.’
Legal 500, 2017
Top Tier   

Head of chambers and indubitably a force in the field of children law. His expertise encompasses all issues, including the most severe and complex of children issues, and he is routinely instructed by the top family firms.
Strengths: “A fierce advocate who is very efficient on his feet and whose cross-examination is off-the-scale impressive: he already knows the answers to all his questions.”
Chambers & Partners 2017
Star Individual

“Confident and Classy”
Legal 500, 2016
Top Tier

Negotiates a highly touted children law practice, and receives great praise from his peers. He has more than two decades’ experience in both private and public law proceedings, and has handled numerous cases involving complex international considerations, allegations of significant physical injury, and the death of children.
Expertise: “He’s a gifted advocate who can turn the impossible into the possible.”
Recent work: Represented appellant parents in the Supreme Court in a case relating to risks of future psychological and emotional harm.
Chambers & Partners 2016
Star Individual

‘A masterful advocate with great client care skills; he never puts a foot wrong.’
Legal 500 2015
Top Tier

‘Very sharp, commanding and organised.’
Legal 500 2014
Top Tier

Alex Verdan QC remains one of the most celebrated barristers doing children work and is well versed in the most complex private & public law cases. “He is sublime.  He is fantastic in court and his bedside manner is second to none.  If he has a difficult children case, he is very caring and understanding.  Added to this, he is an absolute fighter in court.”
Chambers & Partners 2014
Star Individual

Alex Verdan QC exhibits ’emotional intelligence when dealing with clients’.
Recommended as a Leading Family Silk in the area of Children Law
Legal 500 2013
Top Tier

Alex Verdan QC is one of the undisputed stars of the Children Bar. He is regularly instructed by magic circle firms in private law cases concerning issues such as false allegations, intractable contact and shared residence, while on the public law side he deals with cases of serious abuse or significant injury. Sources suggest that “his handling of any client is exceptional,” and note that his advocacy is “charming, well prepared and silky.”
Recommended as a Leading Family Silk in Chambers & Partners 2013

(Star Individual)
Alex Verdan QC is instructed in the most complex children cases, both public and private in nature. Observers applaud the “clarity of thought and delivery” of this barrister.
Recommended as a Leading Family Silk in Chambers & Partners 2012 (Ranked Band 1)

Alexander Verdan QC is much sought after for both public and private children work. Sources praise “his clear delivery in court and his sympathetic manner with clients.”

Recommended as a Leading Family Silk in Chambers and Partners 2011 (Ranked Band 1)

Recommended as a Leading Silk in the area of Children Law in Legal 500 2011

Alexander Verdan QC, “does high-level children work, both private and public, and is regarded as a rising star among family silks.”  “He is a class act who talks such obvious good sense.”
Recommended as a Leading Family Silk in Chambers & Partners 2010

The “calm and measured” Alexander Verdan QC is widely admired for the “clear and articulate advocacy” he applies to his children-related work.  Although grounded in public law work, he is handling increasing amount of private children work.

Recommended as a Leading Family Silk in the area of Children in Chambers & Partners 2009

“Alexander Verdan QC is sensible….and does a very good job.”
Recommended as a Leading Family Silk in the area of Children in Chambers & Partners 2008.

“Alexander Verdan QC is an approachable and effective advocate who can deal with conflict in an non-adversarial way. He undertakes work in care proceedings and public inquiries.”
Recommended as a Leading Family Silk in the areas of Children in Chambers & Partners 2007

“Complex cases are all to familiar to Alex Verdan QC…he was involved in the Climbe Inquiry and is the toast of many a local authority and guardian”.
Recommended as a Leading Family junior in the areas of Children in Chambers & Partners 2006