David Allison

Admitted in 1995 and partner at FLiP 2001. FLiP is a niche practice dealing exclusively in family law.

David is a director at Family Law in Partnership. He acts for a wide range of individuals including business owners, entrepreneurs, bankers, other lawyers and their partners. The focus of his practice is financial claims on divorce, particularly those with an international element.  He has extensive experience in dealing with cases where jurisdiction is an issue and where often urgent steps need to be taken to secure the best jurisdiction for his clients.   He also has acted in cases where a claim is made for financial relief after an overseas divorce.  David is well known for his expertise in the legal issues affecting cohabitants, same sex couples and civil partners.

David settles his cases outside the Court process wherever that is possible, and the client’s objectives can be met without court intervention.  However, where cases have to go to court he is a determined and effective litigator. He has a strategic approach to litigation that achieves results.

The key legal directories Chambers UK, Chambers HNW and Legal 500 have all ranked David as a leading family lawyer for many years.

David is ranked in the Hall of Fame by The Legal 500 2024, having been ranked as a leading individual for both family law and family mediation in The Legal 500 UK for many years. Legal 500 UK 2022 comments that he is a is a “stellar individual” and “stands out as one of the best negotiators in the business. He is trusted by his peers and respected. David is the antidote to the toxic world of family breakdown. He is always completely on top of his brief, calm and collected; the most difficult cases appear simple and straightforward in his capable hands.

Ranking David as a leading family lawyer for HNW and UHNW individuals, Chambers HNW 2023 comments: “Allison is fair and honest, and understands that when you do difficult, complex work and clients; emotions are running high, it doesn’t help to try and pour oil on the fire.” Chambers HNW 2022 comments of David: “He’s a very smart lawyer, very solution-driven and totally dedicated to the best interests of the client.” …. “David Allison is head and shoulders above many lawyers in this market. He’s straightforward, knowledgeable and easy to deal with.”

David has also been ranked as a Top Recommended Family Lawyer by The Spear’s 500 Guide of leading family lawyers, 2023 and was named lawyer of the year (family law) at the Spears Awards 2023. David was also named Family Law Partner of the Year at the Family Law Awards 2019.

David is a trained mediator and has FMA senior mediator status. He trained as a collaborative lawyer in 2003 with the first group of lawyers to be trained in the UK and is a Resolution collaborative specialist.

David is a member of both the International Academy of Family Lawyers, where he is chair of the Gender Identity and Sexuality Committee, and the UK & Ireland LGBT Family Law Institute. He is a former chair of the International Family Law Committee of the American Bar Association, International Section and is a past chair of Resolution, the family lawyers association.

David has acted in  number of high profile cases that are  in the law reports.  These include the series of judgement culminating in Xanthopoulos v Rakshina [2024] EWCA Civ 100,  Tsvetkov v Khayrova [2023] EWFC 130, Dobson v Griffey [2018] EWHC 1117 and Divall v Divall [2014] EWHC 95 FAM

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