Zara Mahmood

Zara accepts instructions in all public children matters. Zara has a thriving and varied practice, regularly appearing on behalf of local authorities, parents, children’s guardians and extended family members/relatives at all stages of hearings including contested interim hearings, finding of fact hearings and final hearings. 

Zara’s experience includes an array of complex matters well beyond her year of call, including non-accidental injuries suffered by children, chronic neglect and serious cases of domestic abuse. 

Zara also has significant experience in successfully dealing with the following types of matters that arise in public law proceedings:

• Contested removal applications;
• Contested part 25 applications;
• Applications to discharge care orders; and
• Contested applications for leave to oppose the making of an adoption order.

Within her practice in public children law matters, Zara has appeared up to the High Court level; in particular, Zara has experience of being a led junior, having recently been involved in a complex nine-day finding of fact hearing in the High Court. 

As an advocate, Zara is confident, robust and fearless; she is well known for her meticulous attention to detail and her analytical approach. She further has a vast amount of experience in representing vulnerable clients, including those with cognitive functioning difficulties.

Zara has a diverse and thriving private children law practice. She regularly receives instructions acting on behalf of parents, children (through their FPR 16.4 Guardian) as well as extended family members across all stages of hearings including finding of fact hearings and final hearings. 

Zara is incredibly popular with both solicitors and clients within private law matters and has significant experience dealing with a range of private family law matters including:

• Applications for a Child Arrangements Order (Live With/Spend Time With);
• Applications to vary a Child Arrangements Order (Live With/Spend Time With);
• Applications for Specific Issue Orders and/or Prohibited Steps Orders;
• Applications for a Special Guardianship Order;
• Applications for Non-Molestations Orders; and
• Applications for Occupation Orders.

In particular, within the private children law sphere Zara’s caseload specifically encompasses a range of complex issues such as:

• allegations of domestic abuse, including coercive and controlling behaviour, physical, emotional and sexual abuse;
• the international relocation of children; and
• allegations of implacable hostility and intractable contact disputes.

As an advocate, Zara is confident, robust and fearless; she is well known for her meticulous attention to detail and her analytical approach. She further has a vast amount of experience in representing vulnerable clients, including those with cognitive functioning difficulties.