Mani Singh Basi

International Children Law

Mani is a specialist in cases that have an international element relating to child abduction and was recognised as the Legal Aid Barrister of the Year 2024 winner for his work in this area of the field. Mani deals with cases concerning applications for summary return under the Hague Convention 1980, the recognition and enforcement of foreign orders relating to the Hague Convention 1996, applications concerning wardship / the inherent jurisdiction and forced marriage. Mani is known for his experience in ‘stranded spouse’ cases and is the author of ‘A Practical Guide to Stranded Spouses in Family Law’ which is available for purchase here. He also co-authored an article in The Times about this topic. Further, Mani has published a book in respect of ‘A Practical Guide to Exercising the Inherent Jurisdiction’ which can be purchased here. Mani is also regularly instructed by intervenors and other interested bodies in cases concerning international disputes and the rights of children.

Further, Mani is regularly instructed in cases where there are jurisdictional issues, applications for relocation and cases concerning surrogacy.

Mani regularly writes on the topic of international child abduction and has featured in the International Family Law Journal, the Family Law Journal and New Law Journal. He is known for representing vulnerable clients across the world in international disputes relating to domestic abuse, stranding spouses and child abduction and in 2024 won the Legal Aid Barrister of the Year award.

Private Children Law

Mani acts in all areas of private law disputes concerning children that involve applications for child arrangement orders and enforcement proceedings. He is frequently instructed in cases concerning contentious residence and contact disputes where the issues involve allegations of domestic abuse, psychological harm, parental alienation and he also appears in cases involving domestic and international relocation. Mani is known for his experience in private law cases where there are reported safeguarding issues and local authority input and he has produced a number of articles on this area which have been published by the Family Law Journal (LexisNexis). He has appeared in extensive fact-finding hearings in private law disputes and works across the whole of England.

Mani has extensive experience relating to applications under the Family Law Act 1996 for non-molestation and occupation orders.

Public Children Law

Mani regularly represents local authorities, parents and guardians in public law proceedings. He has appeared in contested cases relating to a case of the utmost gravity such as those concerning allegations of NAI, FFI and radicalisation. He is particularly sought after in public law disputes heard in the High Court and where international disputes arise such as those relating to abduction, forced marriage and FGM.

Publications

Mani is a well-established commentator in the field of Family Law. He regularly appears in leading newspapers and legal platforms and has been published in the Guardian, The Times, Law Society Gazette, International Family Law Journal, Family Law Journal, Counsel Magazine, The Solicitors Journal, Social Work News, Family Law Week.  He is also an author of the following books:

• A Practical Guide to the Participation of Children in Family Law;
• A Practical Guide to Exercising the Inherent Jurisdiction in Family Law Proceedings; and
• A Practical Guide to Stranded Spouses in Family Law.

Personal Information

Mani has assisted with the expert witness training of paediatricians at the Royal College of Paediatrics and regularly delivers training and seminars to legal professionals. He is on the scholarship and diversity panel for the FLBA and is also an accredited pupil supervisor. Mani is also the current Deputy Editor at Family Law Week.

Mani is in demand for speaking at a number of high-profile events and recently he spoke at:

• White Paper Conference on the issue of fact-findings in private law disputes, alongside Barbara Mills KC;
• JUSTICE Human Rights Conference alongside Teertha Gupta KC;
• LexisNexis 2022 Family Law Round Up, speaking on developments in international family law.
• LexisNexis 2023 Private Law Round Up
• ALC Conference on representing and securing the return of children from non-hague countries, alongside Tipstaff.
• LexisNexis 2024 – Transparency in Family Law alongside Teertha Gupta KC.