Year of call 2012

Jamal Jeffers

Practice Areas
Family

Summary

Jamal is instructed primarily in public and private children cases, with a particular focus on all types of multi-day final hearings. He takes instructions from all parties including the most vulnerable of clients (often via the official solicitor) intervenors and also local authorities.

Jamal has become well known for his exceptional client care and attention to detail when reporting back to those instructing. His workload often includes, but is not limited to dealing with a wide range of issues such as neglect, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, non-accidental injury, international child abduction, female genital mutilation, and parental alienation.

In addition to this, many of Jamal’s matters involve international elements and he is always keen to understand cultural sensitives and to highlight cultural differences in parenting. He is often able to bring these matters to the forefront of people’s minds when presenting cases of this nature in court.

Jamal has completed the direct access to barristers’ course to enable him to accept instructions from members of the public on a direct access basis.

Jamal is regularly instructed in public law children proceedings acting for the Local Authorities, parents, children and intervenors and recent examples include:

– Representing a Father in a 16 day final hearing, in which the client was accused of physically assaulting his children. The family consisted of 13 children, 9 of whom were subject to the proceedings.

Jamal successfully persuaded the Local Authority to fund therapy for the entire family with a view to rehabilitation.

– Representing a Local Authority in proceedings concerning allegations of serious sexual abuse perpetrated on a transgender child by their parent.

– Acting on behalf of older, more competent children where there were underlying issues of chronic neglect and alcoholism. The children were rehabilitated to the care of the Mother.

– Acting for a local Authority in what was joint Court Of Protection and public law proceedings, ensuring that the right deprivation of liberty (DOLs) measures were put in place whilst allowing the Local Authority to exercise its PR with the consent of the parents.

Alongside a busy public law practice, Jamal has developed a strong private law practice where he acts for parents and children. Jamal often deals with matters involving complex cultural issues such as:

-Representing a Mother who accused a father of serious sexual assault. Findings were made in respect of Mother’s allegations.

-Acted for a Father accused of physical, financial and sexual assault. No findings made in relation to the allegations.

Legal 500 2023 – Child Law (Public and Private) Ranked: Tier 3
Jamal is an excellent advocate with a thorough and detailed knowledge of the law and legal procedures. He is clear in advice and is able to develop and maintain positive relationships with his clients. Particularly in very emotive situations, he is able to speak to clients at their level and is able to show compassion whilst giving an excellent level of representation.

Legal 500 2022 – Child Law (Public and Private) Ranked: Tier 3

From a Local Authority solicitor
“From a LA perspective Jamal is always very organised and prepared for hearings, he is able to effectively communicate with the client department, he has excellent documents prepared – all of which are to a very high standard. Overall, he is an excellent advocate cutting to the important issues swiftly.”

From a solicitor in private practice
“I would recommend Mr Jamal Jeffers for the following reasons;
He explains things clearly in a straightforward manner to clients to help them understand complex information and provide instructions on the same. He deals with clients in a respectful and caring manner, putting them at ease and enabling them to handle the stressful court environment as best they can. He provides a good service to the firm and clients and always handles the cases in a professional manner but goes the extra mile to assist where he can.”

 

Legal 500 2024
Family: Children & Domestic Violence Ranked: Tier 3

Jamal is committed to diversity at the Bar and is a member of Midland Circuit Social Mobility Committee and is a Co-Founder of BME at The Bar, a Midlands based group of Black Barristers who seek to increase the number of Black practitioners within the profession.

Jamal is the Midland Circuit Junior for 2021-2022 after being invited by Michael Duck QC.

Jamal is also a Pro Chancellor of DeMontfort University.

Awards:

Birmingham Black Lawyers Special recognition award 2023 

Shortlisted for Legal Business Awards Barrister of the Year 2023

Nottinghamshire Law Society Equality & Diversity Champion 2022

Shortlisted for LexisNexis Junior Barrister of the Year 2022

Jamal, along with civil practitioner Oliver Nunn, established a new award at the University of Leicester in an effort to boost diversity at the Bar.

The Award, which will be first granted in the 2021 academic year, will be granted each year to a student in their second year of study of a Law Degree at Leicester Law School and provide financial assistance covering approximately two years’ worth of textbooks as well as mentorship from both Jamal and Oliver. The recipient, selected on academic merit, will have aspirations of practising at the Bar and be from a demographic which is under-represented in the profession.

Jamal and Oliver hope that the Award will help to boost diversity in the profession and aid social mobility, an objective rightly pursued by the likes of The Bar Council of England and Wales, KCH Garden Square and the Midland Circuit’s Social Mobility Committee.

Contact Jamal

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