“Alison Hayes is a formidable family lawyer whose exceptional strategic judgement, international financial expertise and unwavering client commitment make her a standout force in complex family law. Her rare ability to combine technical precision in sophisticated trust and cross-border disputes with genuine empathy in sensitive family matters marks her as one of London’s most trusted advisers.”

Fantastic Lawyers® Editorial 2026

Alison Hayes is a Partner at Levison Meltzer Pigott and one of London’s leading family lawyers, advising clients on sophisticated family law disputes involving complex financial remedies, international trust structures, private children matters and relationship agreements.

She is particularly well known for acting in high-value cases involving offshore trusts, jurisdictional disputes, hidden assets, foreign enforcement issues and emotionally demanding children matters requiring both strategic toughness and sensitive client handling.

What Alison Hayes does

Alison advises on a wide range of family law matters, including:

• High net worth and ultra-high net worth divorce
• Complex financial remedy litigation
• International trust and offshore asset disputes
• Jurisdiction disputes and cross-border family litigation
• Hidden asset cases
• Private children disputes
• Wardship matters
• International children cases
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
• Cohabitation and relationship agreements
• Family mediation
• Collaborative family law

She is also a qualified mediator, including mediation involving children, a Resolution accredited member and a trained collaborative lawyer, allowing her to help clients pursue constructive solutions where litigation is not the best route.

Why she stands out

Alison stands out for her combination of ruthless efficiency, sharp strategic thinking and deeply human client care.

“She is one of the most cost-effective yet super-efficient lawyers I know.” – Chambers

“Alison is a force of nature and is definitely somebody you want on your side.” – Chambers

Peers consistently describe her as practical, fearless and highly effective in technically difficult and emotionally intense disputes.

She is especially highly regarded for international trust disputes and enforcement matters, where technical precision and commercial realism are critical.

“She is the go-to person for enforcement against offshore trusts.” – Chambers commentary

At the same time, her ability to support clients emotionally through difficult family situations is repeatedly praised, making her a rare combination of fighter and trusted adviser.

Recognition and trust signals

• Ranked by Chambers High Net Worth
• Ranked by Chambers UK
• Recognised by Legal 500
• Listed in Citywealth Leaders List for Family & Matrimonial
• Featured commentator in national lifestyle and media publications including Tatler

Independent commentary includes:

“Alison Hayes is in a class of her own.” – Legal 500

“Her judgement is spot on.” – Legal 500

“Alison Hayes is completely dedicated to every case.” – Chambers

“She’s always completely on top of everything.” – Chambers

International and children law expertise

Alison has significant experience in international family disputes, including jurisdiction battles, enforcement in overseas jurisdictions, trust-related financial cases and sensitive cross-border children matters.

Her practice also includes complex cases involving wardships, contentious consent orders and parallel criminal proceedings.

She is particularly respected for her ability to manage emotionally charged children disputes with both firmness and empathy.

Career background

Alison trained at Mishcon de Reya, qualified in 1994, became a partner there in 2000, and joined Levison Meltzer Pigott as a partner in 2002.

She studied at St Alban’s Girls School, North London Polytechnic and City University.

Professional memberships

• Resolution accredited member
• Qualified family mediator
• Child-inclusive mediator
• Trained collaborative lawyer