Direct Access Barrister
Govind Singh
Direct Access Barrister
Govind Singh
I am an experienced and approachable barrister, called to the Bar in 2015, specialising in Family Law, Children Law and Court of Protection proceedings, with particular expertise in complex cases involving domestic abuse, safeguarding, parental conflict, mental capacity and vulnerable individuals.
My private children law practice encompasses child arrangements, contact disputes, parental responsibility, allegations of domestic abuse, coercive control and parental alienating behaviours. I regularly undertake contested fact-finding and final hearings, providing robust advocacy and strategic advice.
In public law proceedings, I represent parents and family members in care proceedings, safeguarding matters and Special Guardianship applications.
I also have extensive experience in Court of Protection and adult health and welfare matters, including mental capacity, best interests decisions, deprivation of liberty and complex care arrangements. My work provides valuable insight into the legal and practical challenges affecting vulnerable adults and families.
I combine strong advocacy, meticulous preparation and straightforward advice with a personable, compassionate and reassuring approach. I recognise that every client's circumstances are unique and adapt my approach to their individual needs.
As a Direct Access Barrister I welcome instructions directly from members of the public, offering specialist advice and effective representation.
Area of Law
Family
- Private Children Law: Advising and representing clients in disputes concerning child arrangements, residence, contact and parental responsibility.
- Domestic Abuse: Experienced in cases involving allegations of domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, harassment and safeguarding concerns.
- Fact-Finding Hearings: Conducting contested hearings involving complex allegations, disputed evidence, witness examination and cross-examination.
- Parental Alienation: Representing clients in cases involving alleged alienating behaviours, parental conflict and difficulties maintaining parent-child relationships.
- Public Children Law: Representing parents and family members in care proceedings, supervision proceedings and local authority interventions.
- Special Guardianship: Advising and representing parents, grandparents and prospective special guardians in applications and contested proceedings.
- Protective Injunctions: Applications for and defence of Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders.
- Complex Family Cases: Experience involving vulnerable parents, mental health difficulties, disabilities, substance misuse and child protection concerns.
- Court Advocacy: Extensive experience conducting interim hearings, contested applications, fact-finding hearings and final hearings.
- Negotiation and Resolution: Providing strategic advice, negotiating arrangements and seeking practical solutions focused on children's welfare.
- Direct Access: Advising and representing clients directly, offering clear, realistic advice and a supportive, approachable service throughout proceedings.
What sort of work do I do?
Private Family Law – Children
- Child Arrangements Orders (residence and contact)
- Parental responsibility disputes
- Prohibited Steps and Specific Issue Orders
- Domestic abuse, coercive control and safeguarding allegations
- Fact-finding hearings and contested final hearings
- Parental alienation and alienating behaviours
- Enforcement and variation of court orders
- Grandparents' rights and wider family disputes
Public Family Law – Care Proceedings
- Care and Supervision Orders
- Representation of parents and family members
- Emergency Protection and Interim Care Orders
- Special Guardianship Orders
- Child protection and safeguarding proceedings
- Discharge of Care Orders
- Placement and permanence disputes
Domestic Abuse and Injunctions
- Non-Molestation Orders
- Occupation Orders
- Emergency protective injunctions
- Contested domestic abuse hearings
Court of Protection
- Mental capacity and best interests disputes
- Deprivation of Liberty applications and challenges
- Section 21A Mental Capacity Act proceedings
- Health and welfare decisions
- Residence, care and contact disputes
- Adult safeguarding and vulnerable individuals
Legal Advice and Court Representation
- Initial consultations and case assessments
- Written legal opinions and advice
- Drafting applications, statements and position statements.
Who do I work for?
I represent a diverse range of clients, including parents, grandparents, family members, vulnerable adults and local authorities. My clients often face complex and emotionally challenging circumstances involving children, family disputes, domestic abuse, safeguarding concerns, mental capacity and care arrangements. I regularly act for individuals in both private and public law proceedings, as well as those involved in Court of Protection matters. I welcome instructions from solicitors and directly from members of the public through Direct Access, providing clear, practical advice, compassionate support and robust representation tailored to each client's individual circumstances.