Practice Areas
Dispute Resolution
Direct Access
“Michael is an astonishing tactician. He is measured and thoughtful, thorough and knowledgeable. He does not need to be aggressive because he is always one step ahead of the other side. He is kind, sensible and straight talking. Clients and judges love him.”
Legal 500, 2024
Experience
Year of Call: 2010
Education
University of Bristol, History (BA Hons) (First Class, placed first in year)
City University, GDL (Distinction)
BPP Law School, BVC (Very Competent)
Appointments
Panel appointments:
2016: Attorney General’s C Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown
2018: Special Advocate
2021: Attorney General’s B Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown
Judicial:
2021: Deputy District Judge
2024: Recorder
Arbitration:
2022: Child Law Arbitrator
Sports law:
2018: Swim England Judicial Panel
2022: The FA Judicial Appeal Panel
2024: Swim England Judicial Appeal Panel
Pro bono family
2023: Trustee, Temple Legal Advice Centre (provider of pro bono family law advice)
Profile
Michael has a broad practice ranging from international children law to public inquiries and cases involving national security.
Michael has appeared in many of the leading international children cases over the past 5-10 years. He also specialises in private law cases, including leave to remove and cases with allegations of domestic and sexual abuse. He is also a child law arbitrator.
Michael has also appeared in many of the leading cases on the validity of marriage, including Akhter v Khan [2020] EWCA Civ 122 and AP and JP v Secretary of State for Justice [2024] EWHC 1197 Fam
Michael is the head of the Public Inquiries and Inquests team at 4pb. He is currently instructed in the Afghanistan Inquiry, the Covid Inquiry and the Omagh Bombing Inquiry. He is currently a member of the AG’s B Panel, having previously been a member of the C Panel for 5-years.
Michael has been a Special Advocate since 2018, which enables him to appear in cases of national security.
Michael has judicial experience, as a Deputy District Judge since 2021 and Recorder since 2024. He has also been appointed to a 3-member judicial panel to review the asylum claims of Sri Lankan Tamils present on British Indian Ocean Territory.
International Children Law
Specialist in child abduction and jurisdiction disputes. Michael regularly appears in the High Court and has appeared in many of the leading cases in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court (see full case list below).
As a member of the AG’s B Panel, Michael regularly advises and represents government departments on international family law matters.
Private Children Law
Appears regularly in leave to remove applications, cases involving allegations of domestic and sexual abuse and parental alienation.
Non-court dispute resolution
Appointed as a child law arbitrator in 2022. Michael has conducted numerous children arbitrations since his appointment and has given seminars and lectures of the subject.
Michael brings his judicial experience to his role as an arbitrator, having been a Deputy District Judge since 2021 and a Recorder since 2024.
Public Inquiries and Inquests
Head of the Public Inquiries and Inquests team at 4pb.
Current instructions:
– Afghanistan Inquiry; representing the MOD
– Covid Inquiry: representing UKHSA
– Omagh Bombing Inquiry: representing the Intelligence and Security Committee
Previous instructions:
– Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse; representing Leicestershire County Council
– Ellie Bulter Inquest; high profile inquest following the murder of Ellie by her father; instructed by the local authority
Sports law
Michael has lectured on child protection in sport, including to the British Association of Sports Lawyers.
He has been appointed to a number of disciplinary tribunals:
– 2018: Swim England Judicial Panel
– 2022: The FA Judicial Appeal Panel
– 2024: Swim England Judicial Appeal Panel
Publications/Training
Michael is the Co-Editor of International Family Law, the leading journal on international family justice.
Professional Memberships
FLBA
Association of Lawyers for Children
Resolution
Chartered institute of Arbitrators
Inner Temple
Directories
“He’s not afraid to challenge the judge and advocate for his clients.”
“Michael Edwards is meticulous in his preparation and understanding of his client’s concerns.”
“Michael Edwards is a hard-working and dedicated member of the Bar. He has full command of the papers and of the factual and legal issues in each case. He is a most effective and persuasive advocate.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024
“Michael is an astonishing tactician. He is measured and thoughtful, thorough and knowledgeable. He does not need to be aggressive because he is always one step ahead of the other side. He is kind, sensible and straight talking. Clients and judges love him.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Michael Edwards’ knowledge and depth of understanding of international family law is immense, and he goes above and beyond to make sure he provides a gold standard of service for his clients. He works collaboratively with his instructing solicitors to ensure a seamless and unified service for the client.”
“Michael gives thoughtful and considered advice which is invariably not only sensible but accurate. He has a calm, charming manner and is ferociously bright.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
‘Michael is a polished advocate giving the impression that he approaches everything with ease. His calm and pragmatic approach puts him top of his game for the extremely complex area in which he specialises.’
Legal 500, 2023
“Michael’s calm, focused demeanour in court and his forensic cross-examination are a pleasure to watch. His broad legal knowledge is self-evident and his recent reported cases, which saw him appear in the High Court and Court of Appeal, show that he can hold his own against QCs and senior juniors.” “He knows the law inside-out and has a calm nature which reassures the client.” “Michael is committed, and this is demonstrated in the way that he interacts with clients. He gives clear and sensible advice from the outset.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
‘ The private children and child abduction guru. Dispenses sage advice calmly and very persuasive in court. Always well-prepared. ’
Legal 500, 2022
Children law junior with an international practice, who has handled a number of highly complex abduction cases in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. His practice spans a broad range of private and public law proceedings involving international issues.
Strengths: “He has an intellectual grasp of complex legal issues and a great manner with clients and opponents alike.” “Diligent and well organised with great forensic ability.” “Hugely knowledgeable, especially in the area of international law, he always knows the answer.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
‘Michael’s calm and focused demeanour in court and his forensic cross-examination is a pleasure to watch.’
Legal 500, 2021
“He’s not afraid to challenge the judge and advocate for his clients.”
“Michael Edwards is meticulous in his preparation and understanding of his client’s concerns.”
“Michael Edwards is a hard-working and dedicated member of the Bar. He has full command of the papers and of the factual and legal issues in each case. He is a most effective and persuasive advocate.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024
“Michael is an astonishing tactician. He is measured and thoughtful, thorough and knowledgeable. He does not need to be aggressive because he is always one step ahead of the other side. He is kind, sensible and straight talking. Clients and judges love him.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Michael Edwards’ knowledge and depth of understanding of international family law is immense, and he goes above and beyond to make sure he provides a gold standard of service for his clients. He works collaboratively with his instructing solicitors to ensure a seamless and unified service for the client.”
“Michael gives thoughtful and considered advice which is invariably not only sensible but accurate. He has a calm, charming manner and is ferociously bright.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
‘Michael is a polished advocate giving the impression that he approaches everything with ease. His calm and pragmatic approach puts him top of his game for the extremely complex area in which he specialises.’
Legal 500, 2023
“Michael’s calm, focused demeanour in court and his forensic cross-examination are a pleasure to watch. His broad legal knowledge is self-evident and his recent reported cases, which saw him appear in the High Court and Court of Appeal, show that he can hold his own against QCs and senior juniors.” “He knows the law inside-out and has a calm nature which reassures the client.” “Michael is committed, and this is demonstrated in the way that he interacts with clients. He gives clear and sensible advice from the outset.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
‘ The private children and child abduction guru. Dispenses sage advice calmly and very persuasive in court. Always well-prepared. ’
Legal 500, 2022
Children law junior with an international practice, who has handled a number of highly complex abduction cases in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. His practice spans a broad range of private and public law proceedings involving international issues.
Strengths: “He has an intellectual grasp of complex legal issues and a great manner with clients and opponents alike.” “Diligent and well organised with great forensic ability.” “Hugely knowledgeable, especially in the area of international law, he always knows the answer.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
‘Michael’s calm and focused demeanour in court and his forensic cross-examination is a pleasure to watch.’
Legal 500, 2021