Michael Allin

Barrister (Call Date: 2014) Contact clerk
Michael Allin

...he has a very measured approach in complex civil and commercial litigation.”

Instructing Solicitor

Michael is happy to accept instructions on a broad range of civil, commercial, and family cases. He is able to be instructed across England and Wales, and is open to discussing instructions further afield.

Before joining East Anglian Chambers, Michael worked in financial compliance at a boutique high net worth asset management company in London; as a paralegal in a specialist clinical negligence department of a leading firm of solicitors in Leeds (where he assisted in the running of complex, high value claims in the High Court); and as a teaching fellow and guest lecturer in contract, tort and family law at SOAS, University of London.

Michael is able to accept matters on a direct access basis, and will happily consider suitable civil matters from solicitors on a CFA basis.

Civil

Michael has a busy civil practice across a wide array of matters. He is regularly instructed in small claim and fast track trials, disposal hearings (including MOJ Stage 3 hearings), possession claims, TOLATA claims, enforcement proceedings, and interim applications. Michael is experienced at dealing with multi track claims, and his most recent matters include:

  • representing a claimant in a dispute under the Partnership Act 1890 relating to the share of profits between partners and the recoupment of expenses;
  • representing a claimant in a franchising case against two guarantors;
  • representing a claimant in an ongoing contract dispute relating to the hire of a venue for and catering at a community networking event;
  • representing a claimant in a claim against the police where the claimant was struck repeatedly around the back of the head by a police baton;
  • representing a claimant who suffered lifelong personal injuries as a result of improper lifting equipment being provided at work;
  • representing a claimant on an unjust enrichment claim relating to the production of a Bollywood movie.
  • advising a claimant who fell through an improperly installed temporary floor on a construction site;
  • advising a claimant in relation to a claim for the supply of machinery and connected services from a British company to an American company (including issues of jurisdiction);
  • advising in a prospective clinical negligence claim relating to negligent cosmetic surgery; and
  • advising and drafting for a defendant on a large data protection claim against a medical practitioner.

Family

Michael is frequently instructed in financial remedy matters, and regularly represents clients in FDAs, FDRs, and final hearings. Some of his most recent matters include:

  • representing a husband in a case where the wife denied that a Help to Buy loan or various home improvement loans in respect of the former matrimonial home were marital debts;
  • representing a wife whose house had significant adaptations for her disabilities, with the aim of retaining the former matrimonial home and financial assets earmarked for her lifelong care;
  • representing a husband in a claim where the sole marital asset was obtained during the marriage by way of the wife’s inheritance;
  • representing a wife who lacks capacity (and so is simultaneously represented by the Official Solicitor) and likely will do for the rest of her life; and
  • representing a wife in a case where the husband sought 100% of the marital assets because he had been the breadwinner and she had been a homemaker.

Michael also frequently represents clients in private and public law children cases, including FHDRAs, DRAs, fact finding hearings, and final hearings. He has experience of acting on behalf of local authorities, parents, extended family members, and Children’s Guardians. Since joining chambers, Michael has been instructed on a wide array of matters, including cases involving issues of capacity, parental alienation, international relocation, deprivation of liberty, and sexual abuse involving and also between children, and has been instructed in matters up to and including the High Court.

In the past, Michael has been instructed in non-molestation and occupation order cases, and continues to accept instructions for these cases.

Background

Outside of work, Michael is a fan of tennis and enjoys watching the Wimbledon Championships live at the All England Club in London, although plays tennis relatively poorly. Michael enjoys travelling, and over the years has also developed an interest for all things related to Italy and Poland.

Within chambers, Michael is the Mini-Pupillage Coordinator and is a member of the Pupillage Committee. Michael is also a member of the Bar Liaison Committee and the Qualifying Sessions Sub-Committee at the Inner Temple.

Qualifications/Education

LLB (Hons) – First Class Honours – Keele University

LLM – Merit – University College London

BPTC – Very Competent – City University London

Princess Royal Scholarship – Inner Temple

Memberships

The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple

The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn

Personal Injuries Bar Association

Family Law Bar Association

South Eastern Circuit

SEC Representative, Inner Temple Bar Liaison Committee

Testimonials

“I have instructed Michael on several civil cases, and found that he has a very measured approach in complex civil and commercial litigation. He has good advisory skills on paper, but also when speaking with the client. I would describe him as eloquent, but with a down to earth approach with clients. In my experience, he is robust in court and able to hold his own against more senior barristers.”
Martin Fraiel, Markel Law

“I instruct Michael Allin on a regular basis in family proceedings.  I find he is very knowledgeable in all aspects of family law.  Michael is very approachable and I have found he is a favourite of clients who have described him as down to earth when speaking to them but also very forceful in court putting their position forward.”
Charlotte Fedarb, BTMK

“Michael is one of my go-to barristers for TOLATA, matrimonial finance and private child cases. He is a sharp and punchy advocate in court, who is equally forceful in his written advocacy. Michael has a keen eye for detail, and is well liked by clients with his personable approach in conference. He knows when to turn on “rottweiler mode” or when to take a more subtle or gentle approach in cross-examination.”
Marija Markovic, Setfords