Abigail is a brilliant barrister. She is completely respected by every tribunal she appears in front of and you can tell judges listen to what she says. She is articulate, intelligent, unflappable, civil to the opposition and caring with clients.”

The Legal 500 2024, FAMILY: CHILDREN AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Abigail practises in all aspects of the law relating to children and is Head of the Children Law team. She has considerable experience of care proceedings in which she represents local authorities, parents and children. She handles a wide range of cases, including those involving allegations of inflicted injury and serious sexual abuse. She also undertakes complex private law work: high-conflict residence disputes, ‘intractable contact’ cases, and applications for leave to remove from the jurisdiction.

She is the author of several articles on family law matters and of the well-received Care Proceedings and Learning Disabled Parents: A Handbook for Family Lawyers (Jordans, 2014, 2nd edition). The Foreword, by Mrs Justice Pauffley, describes it as “erudite, concise and immensely readable”. The book arose out of Abigail’s experience in representing learning-disabled parents, where she strives to ensure that her clients are fairly and properly assessed, and given every opportunity to retain the care of their children.

In addition, Abigail represents parties in the Court of Protection, with an emphasis on health and welfare matters.

In 2019 Abigail was appointed as a Fee-paid Judge of the First–tier Tribunal (Health Education and Social Care Chamber), ticketed to the Mental Health Jurisdiction.

Directory Quotes

Abigail is an expert in challenging cases concerning alleged sexual and physical abuse. She is well known for her authorship of a frequently used text on learning disabilities. ‘Abigail is amazing, everyone listens to her. She is fantastic’.”

Chambers UK 2024, Family: Children

Abigail is very approachable with an excellent knowledge of the law.’ ‘She provides commercial, realistic advice to clients.’ ‘Abigail is always well prepared and is a safe pair of hands for complex children public law matters.’ “

Chambers UK 2023, Family: Children

Abigail is always well-prepared and always calm. She is at her best when cross-examining vulnerable lay parties.”

The Legal 500 2023, Family & Children Law

Abigail is hard-working and thorough in her preparation. She made what was a complicated case almost straightforward. Abigail absolutely nails her briefs and is very diligent.”

Chambers UK 2022, Family/Matrimonial

Abigail has strength all-round. She has particular skills in dealing with clients with learning difficulties and mental health issues.”

Legal 500 2022, Child law

She is very good – well liked and respected.”

Chambers UK 2021, Family/Matrimonial

Very patient and great empathy with clients with learning disabilities and disadvantaged adults.”

Legal 500 2021, Family & Children Law
  • Appointments:

    • Fee-paid Judge of the First-tier Tribunal (Mental Health jurisdiction). 2019
  • Qualifications & awards:

    • BA Hons (Oxon), LLM (University of East Anglia)
    • Formerly: lecturer in family and property law 1993 – 1998.
  • Professional memberships:

    • Family Law Bar Association
    • Association of Lawyers for Children
    • Western Circuit
    • Bar Pro Bono Unit Family Law Panel
    • Abigail has completed the FLBA Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training
  • Abigail Bond is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please read here.