Committed to the welfare of children and family rights.
Who is Jason Hadden
Jason is specialist barrister at St Ives Chambers in Birmingham; and has a door tenancy at Fourteen Chambers in London. He specialises in all aspect of private law children’s cases. This means that he works for mothers, fathers and indeed grandparents.
He goes to court all over the country representing mostly parents in cases concerning where a child will live, with whom, what school they attend and indeed even their religion. Jason is passionate in his representation. He is extremely able in court, particularly when it comes to preparation, cross-examination, and submissions. He is involved in a significant number of case which sadly involve allegations of domestic abuse, rape and other issues relating to the safety of the child.
He has represented clients as far south as Brighton and Bournemouth; as far North as Newcastle and Carlisle; in Wales and indeed in Cambridge and Norwich. So basically, he does a lot of travelling.
He has represented a wide variety of people, including celebrities and footballers.
He also advises clients on Zoom or Teams about strategy, about prospect and drafting. Be it initial papers, statements or appeals.
Jason has for more than twenty years been involved both in pro bono law cases (he jointly set-up a pro bono clinic in London) and the horrendous issue of domestic abuse. He has actively campaigned for law changes to protect victims of such abuse, be it violence or coercive and controlling behaviour. He has over the years organised and hosted lectures with leading legal figures to debate and discuss such issues. He is currently working with Women’s Aid and leading legal academics to influence further legal changes to support survivors of domestic abuse. Jason has also been instructed on matters involving parental alienation and international child abduction, human trafficking, forced marriage, FGM and indeed alternative family structures.
In October 2015, the international publishing house, the Little Brown Book Group published Jason’s book (co-written with Her Honour Judge Davies) on children’s law, How to Represent Yourself in the Family Court [need link to Amazon]. It was a best-selling book in its category.
Before transferring to the bar, Jason was a solicitor in private practice and worked for a telecommunications multinational as an in-house counsel. He was involved in high profile and complex proceedings worth millions of pounds. This provided international travel, an indept knowledge of commercial and civil litigation from a company’s perspective. Again, working with strategy, tactics, and detail.
About
Jason Hadden
Jason has lectured extensively in the UK and internationally. He has advised lawyers and no-lawyers about the law, advocacy, negotiation skills, drafting, costs and family law.
He speaks regularly on domestic abuse to charities and domestic advice organisations up and down the country. He has recently returned from Singapore where he provided guidance both to students, lawyers and charities matters relating from international child abductions to domestic abuse.
Jason was the first radio lawyer for LBC, where listeners would call him up live on the radio for (unscripted and unprepared) advice on a multitude of subjects. Whilst this shows his ability to master a range of subjects, it also shows his ability to provide instant analysis, expertise and ability. Jason commented “It was challenging, but fun! Such is my knowledge that I was able to provide hopefully helpful, cogent advice on these subjects in a friendly approachable fashion. It is for this reason that I am regularly invited as a guest on radio and television to either provide his opinion on legal matters or current affairs. Its great fun”
Jason is regularly called up for comment by the BBC, LBC, Talk Radio and international radio stations for legal or political comment.
He has given after dinner speeches at venues throughout the world, to hundreds of people including to members of the Royal Family and celebrities.
Jason also writes articles for newspapers, magazines and has interviewed many legal and media dignitaries, celebrities and indeed public faces. By way of example he has interviewed Cherie Blair KC, Jeffrey Archer, Sunny Jacobs, Helena Kennedy KC, Lady Hale, Angela Canning and many other.
He has and in currently working on some podcasts.
He produced plays, writes and performs comedy.
He is also currently working on a TV drama. Writing a second (and third) book. Co-writing a radio play. Also campaigning for a change in the law relating to survivors of domestic abuse. He gets busy
Jason have been shortlisted six times for Barrister of the Year in the Birmingham Law Society Awards, including in 2023 and has also been shortlisted for the Barrister of the Year by the Worcestershire Law Society.
In 2006, he was awarded the Law Society’s YSG In House Pro Bono Lawyer of the year
In 2012 he had the great honour to receive an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II for his services to pro bono law.
He was also was recently awarded a Certificate in the True Honours Awards 2023.
Interests
Outside of practicing, and very much enjoy time walking, travelling and just listening to music.
