Alison is regularly instructed in all aspects of Private Law children work in which she is frequently instructed in cases involving complex factual backgrounds such as: allegations of physical or sexual abuse of children, particularly where the court is considering the veracity of the child’s account, parental influence/fabrication, ABE interviews and contamination etc; mental health issues; substance misuse, allegations of domestic violence and/or coercion and control and where experts have to be cross examined or where the case has significant forensic detail.

Her Public Law experience in this respect gives her a real advantage as does dealing with cases in which children are separately represented and her experience of dealing with child witnesses.  She has particular expertise in allegations of parental alienation and is regularly instructed in international relocation cases.

In Public law, Alison is renowned for her expertise in medical cases particularly deaths involving allegations of inflicted head injury, surviving catastrophic head injuries and fractures especially with issues of Vitamin D deficiency. She regularly cross examines medical experts on their hypotheses undertaking medical research at the Institute of Child Health and challenging experts on their research base. She has undertaken joint seminars with the leading experts in the field.  This expertise has also been used to great advantage in cases involving allegations of Fabricated or Induced Illness and she has undertaken a number of such cases for all parties. Alison sits as an Assistant Coroner which also gives her additional insight and knowledge.

Her cases often involve concurrent criminal proceedings and she is therefore highly experienced in issues of disclosure and PII. Press injunctions are often required given the nature of the cases and she is therefore well versed in the law and procedure relating to them and media management generally.

The remainder of Alison’s Public law practice is serious sexual abuse including inter-generational and inter-sibling abuse in which she has good experience of dealing with child and other vulnerable witnesses; radicalisation cases; adoptions; Special Guardianship Orders and local authority duties towards children including Judicial Review and HRA claims for damages on behalf of children and parents.

Chambers & Partners 2024 "The way she works with us is fantastic; she is very supportive." "Alison has a very forensic knowledge of the law."

Legal 500 2024 "Alison’s advocacy is second to none. She advocates with clarity and authority, and her ability to think on her feet to respond to anything her opponent or the judge may say is simply first-rate. Her powers of persuasion in the courtroom are world-class."

Chambers & Partners 2021 Children law specialist who offers her services for the most complex cases. She demonstrates noted expertise in those matters requiring expert medical evidence, and has a particular specialism in cases regarding head injuries. She has a strong private and public law practice and represents clients in alleged fabricated illness cases among other serious issues affecting children. Strengths: "Brilliant. She understands the psychology of cases, and cross-examines and extracts information in an impressive way." "Alison Grief is a medical queen, and her dedication to her clients is beyond belief." "Her attention to detail is astonishing. She remains completely calm under pressure, leaves no stone unturned and has a planet-sized brain."

Chambers & Partners 2020 Children law specialist who offers her services for the most complex cases. She demonstrates noted expertise in those matters requiring expert medical evidence, and has a particular specialism in cases regarding head injuries. She has a strong private and public law practice and represents clients in alleged fabricated illness cases among other serious issues affecting children. Strengths: “She has an incredibly strong work ethic and really cares about her cases and those she represents, many of whom are vulnerable. Any client who is fortunate to acquire Alison’s services should realise how hard she works, how important that client is to Alison and that nothing will be missed or forgotten in preparation or conduct of the hearing. She is an excellent advocate with the ear of the court and a formidable negotiator.” “She’s hard-working, forensic and a lovely person to work with.”

Chambers & Partners 2019 Children law specialist who offers her services for the most complex cases. She demonstrates noted expertise in those matters requiring expert medical evidence, and has a particular specialism in cases regarding head injuries. She has a strong private and public law practice and is noted for her handling of alleged sexual abuse cases and those concerning other serious issues affecting children. Strengths: “She has excellent analytical skills, a great grasp of complex medical evidence and is someone who deals with clients in a sensitive and calm manner. She is helpful to those instructed, goes out of her way for the client, and produces advocacy that is amazing to watch.”

Chambers & Partners 2018 Children law specialist who offers services in complex children cases and demonstrates noted expertise in those matters requiring expert medical evidence. She has a strong private and public law practice and is noted for her handling of alleged sexual abuse cases and those concerning other serious issues affecting children. Strengths: "She is at the top of her game, an amazing advocate and someone with a mind that is as sharp as a razor. She's so forensic in her approach but at the same time she's got a really lovely, warm manner with clients."

Chambers & Partners 2017 Children law specialist who offers services in complex children cases and demonstrates noted expertise in those matters requiring expert medical evidence. She has a strong private law practice and is noted for her handling of alleged sexual abuse cases. Strengths: "She works exhaustively to ensure the very best result for her client. She is a specialist in non-accidental medical cases."

Legal 500 2017 "She takes a forensic approach to every case and leaves no stone unturned."

Chambers & Partners 2016 Strengths: “She has the ability to get straight to the heart of complex matters, particularly those involving medical issues. She is meticulous in her preparation and her attention to detail.”

Legal 500 2016 "Always a first choice for any complex medical children matter; she has excellent forensic analysis."

Chambers & Partners 2015 Has a broad practice that encompasses complex areas of public and private law children matters, including allegations of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, the death of children and international relocations. Expertise: “Has the ability to grasp complex medical evidence and get straight to the issues. Alison is very experienced in complex cases, particularly those involving deaths of children. She is extremely hard-working, thorough and very approachable.”

Chambers & Partners 2014 Principally focuses on public law disputes and is well versed in all areas of children matters, from deaths and non-accidental injuries to fabricated/induced illness and sexual abuse cases. Expertise: “Absolutely phenomenal, she’s an expert in her field. She makes you feel like you are with a heavy hitter. Watching her perform in court is amazing.”

Recommended as a leading Family Junior in Chambers and Partners 2013 Alison Grief enters the rankings for the first time after receiving strong feedback from the market. She practises exclusively in children law, concentrating in the main on public law cases such as sexual abuse and non-accidental injury. Sources relate that “she works extraordinarily hard on her cases and goes to the nth degree in terms of detail.” One esteemed QC labelled her “a silk in the making.”

Recorder – Family Public and Private Law 2012 Previously Assistant Coroner Hertfordshire

Door Tenant

Alison regularly provides seminars on both Private law and Public law issues and the Voice of the Child including for Resolution.

LLB (hons)

Door Tenant