Fairness or Friction? Managing Evidence in Children Proceedings
How evidence is gathered, admitted and tested in children proceedings — and where robust case preparation starts to tip into unfairness to the other party.
Milad Shojaei is a barrister specialising principally in Family and Criminal Law. His practice combines traditional courtroom advocacy with a modern, strategic approach to litigation: understanding the evidence, identifying what truly matters and ensuring that important decisions are made with a clear view of the bigger picture.
Before specialising at the Bar, Milad worked in legal technology, developing an early understanding of how technology, accessibility and modern working practices were changing the delivery of legal services. He later worked as a Legal Adviser at Willesden Magistrates' Court, gaining valuable experience of the justice system from the court's perspective before developing his practice as a Family and Criminal barrister at 33 Bedford Row Chambers.
That combination of experience continues to shape his approach today: modern in outlook, meticulous in preparation and focused on presenting complex cases clearly and persuasively.
From the first conference through to the final hearing, Milad remains personally involved in the preparation, strategy and advocacy of your case. You should understand not only what is happening, but why — and have direct access to the barrister responsible for presenting your case when it matters.
The court can only decide the case it understands. Milad's job is to make sure your case is understood completely.When the decisions may shape your future, choose your lawyer as carefully as you choose your future.Arrange a Conference
Alongside his practice, Milad regularly delivers seminars and webinars for solicitors and other legal professionals, including CPD-accredited training through the Law Friends Society.
His sessions draw directly upon his experience as a specialist advocate and focus on developing practical skills, understanding emerging areas of law and translating complex legal principles into effective courtroom strategy.
The same analysis and advocacy that Milad brings to his cases is reflected in the professional training he delivers to other lawyers.
How evidence is gathered, admitted and tested in children proceedings — and where robust case preparation starts to tip into unfairness to the other party.
The admissibility and handling of intimate images and covertly obtained recordings in private children cases, and the risks run by a party who gathers evidence that way.
How an allegation becomes a finding: when a fact-finding hearing is needed, how the issues are framed, and what the court is actually deciding under the Family Law Act 1996 and the Children Act 1989.
Direct Access lets you instruct a barrister without going through a solicitor first — one relationship, one fee, and a straight line to the person actually representing you.
Direct Access means no unnecessary layers and no middlemen. You work directly with the barrister responsible for advising you, developing your strategy and representing you when it matters.
A Direct Access barrister is more than a voice in the courtroom. Effective advocacy begins long before a hearing: understanding the evidence, identifying the risks, anticipating the other side and making the right decisions at the right time. Sometimes the best outcome is achieved not by fighting every hearing, but by having the strategy that means a hearing is no longer necessary.
From the first conference to the final outcome, Milad remains personally involved in your case — advising, preparing and advocating with one clear strategy throughout.
ONE barrister. ONE strategy. From first advice to final outcome.
Everything clients usually want to know before their first call with Milad.
A direct access barrister is a barrister you can instruct directly, without going through a solicitor first. Milad handles your case personally from start to finish.
Not in most matters. However, some cases benefit from the additional support of a solicitor or, where appropriate, a McKenzie Friend. Milad will always advise you candidly if he considers that additional support would assist your case. Through his specialist consultancy roles with a number of solicitors' firms and his established professional relationships with experienced McKenzie Friends, Milad can also make appropriate introductions to trusted legal professionals with whom he works closely.
Family law and criminal law, with direct access available across England and Wales.
Yes — Milad provides full representation and advice in both English and Farsi.
Fees are agreed upfront and confirmed in writing before any work begins, so there are no surprises.
Most enquiries are returned within one working day, and urgent matters can often be seen sooner.
Yes. If you are already represented by solicitors and would like Milad to advise or represent you, you can ask your solicitor to instruct him through his clerks at 33 Bedford Row Chambers. Milad is regularly instructed by solicitors as well as directly by members of the public.
Yes. You do not need to have an upcoming hearing to instruct Milad. He can be instructed for a specialist conference, written advice, case strategy or an independent assessment of your position before you decide what steps to take next.
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, Milad can be instructed for a particular hearing or discrete piece of work without necessarily being instructed for the entirety of your proceedings.
Yes. If you have been conducting proceedings yourself, Milad can review the relevant papers, advise you on your position and strategy, and represent you at a hearing where appropriate.
Yes. Milad can provide an independent second opinion on your case, including the merits of your position, litigation strategy, evidence, proposed settlement or the advice you have previously received.
Yes. Early advice can often be particularly valuable. A conference before proceedings begin can help identify the relevant issues, preserve important evidence, assess risk and determine the most appropriate strategy before positions become entrenched.
You should provide the documents most relevant to the issue on which you require advice, including any existing court orders, applications, statements, correspondence and important evidence. If further documents are required, Milad or his clerks will let you know.
Where diary commitments permit, urgent instructions can be considered, including cases involving imminent hearings or applications requiring prompt advice. You should make the urgency and any relevant court deadline clear when making your enquiry.
Yes. Milad's role is to give you independent and realistic advice, not simply to agree with the position you would like to take. Where there are weaknesses or risks in your case, these will be explained clearly so that you can make properly informed decisions.
No. Effective legal advice is not always about pursuing litigation. In some cases, the right strategy may be negotiation, narrowing the issues, reaching an agreement or avoiding an unnecessary hearing altogether. Milad will advise on the course most likely to advance your interests rather than litigation for its own sake.
Where appropriate and within the scope of his instructions, yes. Negotiation frequently forms an important part of effective advocacy, particularly before and during court proceedings. Milad can advise on proposals, negotiate with the other side and help assess whether an agreement is in your interests.
Yes. Milad accepts instructions in cases throughout England and Wales. Conferences can be arranged remotely by telephone or secure video conference, and representation outside London can be arranged subject to availability and the requirements of the case.
Potentially, yes. Remote conferences can be arranged for clients overseas. Whether Milad can advise or represent you will depend upon the nature of the case, the relevant jurisdiction and whether the matter falls within his professional expertise.
Barristers owe strict professional duties of confidentiality. Information provided in connection with a potential or existing instruction will be handled appropriately and in accordance with Milad's professional and data-protection obligations.
Yes. Professional instructions are welcomed for conferences, written opinions and advice, drafting, case strategy and advocacy at individual hearings or throughout proceedings, depending upon the requirements of the case.
The first consideration is whether your matter falls within Milad's expertise and whether he is professionally able and available to accept the instruction. His approach is straightforward, strategic and realistic: you will be advised about the strengths and weaknesses of your position, the available options and the potential consequences of each, so that you can make an informed decision about how to proceed.