David Allison

David Allison has specialised in Family Law since 1991. In 1998 he joined the firm of Family Law In Partnership and became a partner in 2001.

David has a comprehensive family law practice, including divorce and is experienced in the legal issues affecting un-married families and civil partners.

David settles the vast majority of his cases outside of the court process and he is an effective litigator where required. His goal is to achieve the best for his clients and to do so in a way that produces an efficient, fair and positive result. This means listening to clients and helping them chose the best and most constructive process for achieving their goals.

“My priority is to listen to clients and to understand their goals and objectives. I recognise that every client is an individual with their individual beliefs and objectives. Understanding those beliefs and objectives helps me guide clients through selection of the best process and achieve those goals.”

David is committed to a constructive approach to clients’ problems. He trained as mediator in 1999 and a collaborative lawyer in 2003 with the first group of lawyers to be trained in the UK.  Chambers & Partners says:  "David Allison is a skilled mediator with a natural ability to build rapport with clients.”. He is also described by the Legal 500 as "a pleasure to work with".  However, when litigation is the best option for a client David is an effective litigator. He has been involved in a number of reported cases including Al Habtoor v Fotheringham [2001] EWCA Civ 256, Re P (Parental Dispute: Judicial Determination [2003] 1 FLR 286, Kimber v Brookman solicitors [2004] 2 FLR 221 and Golubovich v Golubovich 2010 EWCA Civ 810.

David is national chair of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association). He has spear headed Resolution's 'Living Together' campaign and wiorked closely with Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC on his Cohabitation Bill 2009.  He is a Resolution accredited specialist with portfolios in cohabitation and children law. He is also an examiner for that scheme. David has written and lectured extensively on issues affecting cohabitants and civil partners.