Adam Bharmal

Adam joins Chambers as a family pupil under the supervision of Neil Owen-Casey and aims to develop a broad practice in all areas of family law, Court of Protection and education law.

Prior to commencing pupillage, Adam worked as a social welfare paralegal at boutique law firms, managing a busy caseload of Court of Protection (Health and Welfare) cases. He regularly advised and took instructions from the Official Solicitor and family members of the protected party, chaired roundtable meetings and drafted position statements and court orders. His work secured positive outcomes, including facilitating less restrictive placements for older clients and restoring a mother’s contact with her son after many years.

Alongside his caseload, Adam closely supported solicitors on complex cases involving closed proceedings, fluctuating capacity, covert medication and hoarding. He was entrusted to manage these cases during solicitors’ absences, advise the Official Solicitor and visit the protected party to take wishes and feelings.

Notably, Adam assisted solicitors in the following reported cases:

• A Local Authority v X [2023] EWCOP 64
• E (vaccine) v LB Hammersmith and Fulham and W [2021] EWCOP 7
• DP v Hillingdon [2020] EWCOP 45

In addition, as a member of The Law Society’s Mental Health Accreditation Scheme, Adam represented exceptionally vulnerable children and adults detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 in Mental Health Tribunals and Hospital Managers’ Hearings, successfully securing multiple hospital discharges.

Adam has successfully secured welfare benefits for vulnerable individuals in the First Tier Tribunal (Social Security) while volunteering with the Free Representation Unit (FRU). His work was recognised with testimonials from FRU and a client. FRU highlighted how Adam had gone “above and beyond” while his client felt that Adam had reassured her “every step of the way” and made her feel she had someone in her corner.

He has also represented clients in employment disputes as a union representative and provided tailored human rights advice as a volunteer with Liberty.

Adam’s collected, approachable manner helps him quickly build trust with vulnerable clients and navigate challenging situations with sensitivity and focus.