Association of Lawyers for Children (ALC)
The Association of Lawyers for Children is the professional body for solicitors, barristers, legal executives and academics who specialise in children law — particularly public law proceedings (care and adoption cases) and representation of children themselves. It is a membership organisation rather than an advice service, but its journal, guidance and network make it a useful reference point for anyone trying to understand how children cases really work.
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-31
What the ALC is
The ALC exists to promote and secure justice for children and young people throughout England and Wales. Founded in 1989, it brings together the lawyers who act for children (children's guardians under the Children's Guardian scheme, solicitors on children panels), lawyers for parents in public law cases, and academics and practitioners interested in children's law and policy.
Its objects include furthering knowledge and improving practice in children law; providing a forum for exchange of ideas on children law practice and policy; and promoting high standards of representation for children. Membership is open to solicitors, trainees, barristers, legal executives, court legal advisers, academics with legal qualifications and members of the judiciary; associate membership is open to others with a genuine interest in the field.
The ALC runs conferences and training, publishes a respected regular journal covering children law developments, and responds to consultations on children law and family justice reform. It is also known for the work of members in shaping practice guidance around children's participation in proceedings.
What help it offers
The ALC does not provide legal advice to parents or the public and does not operate a helpline. Its public value is indirect but real:
- A marker of specialism. Many of the most experienced children lawyers in England and Wales are ALC members. When you are choosing a solicitor for a care proceedings case, or assessing the lawyers acting for your child, ALC membership signals a serious, specialist practitioner.
- Practice knowledge. The ALC's journal, conference materials and consultation responses are a window into current thinking on children cases — from the court's approach to children's wishes and feelings to developments in care proceedings and family drug and alcohol courts.
- Policy leadership. The association campaigns on issues affecting children in the justice system, including children's access to legal representation and the operation of the children panel accreditation scheme.
Contact details
- Website: https://www.alc.org.uk
- Email: admin@alc.org.uk
- Phone: 07473 590332 (administrator; the association is run by a small secretariat, so email is generally the most reliable first contact)
- Postal contact (per its constitution): Association of Lawyers for Children, PO Box 283, East Molesey KT8 0WH
As a small professional association, the ALC should not be contacted for help with an individual case — it will redirect you to advice services.
How a self-representing parent can use the ALC
A parent facing public law proceedings (where children's services have applied for a care or supervision order) or a complex private law case involving a children's guardian can use the ALC in these realistic ways:
1. Find genuinely specialist representation. If you are entitled to legal aid in care proceedings (parents are automatically financially eligible for non-means-tested legal aid in care and supervision proceedings), you can use the ALC's network alongside the Law Society's Children Panel accreditation to identify solicitors who specialise in children cases. Ask any firm you approach whether their children panel lawyers are ALC members. 2. Understand the professionals around your case. Reading ALC materials helps you understand the role of the children's guardian, the approach the court takes to children's wishes and feelings, and what good practice looks like — useful context whether you are preparing a statement or questioning a witness. 3. Track developments. If you have a long-running case, the ALC's publications and consultation responses can help you follow procedural changes that may affect you. 4. Know your child's lawyers. If a guardian's solicitor or a children's lawyer is acting for your child, their ALC membership indicates they are part of the specialist children law community with access to its training and peer network.
The ALC itself cannot take up your case, advise you, or intervene in proceedings — for individual advice you need a solicitor (legal aid is automatic for parents in care proceedings) or one of the advice charities such as Coram Children's Legal Centre or Family Rights Group.
Useful links
- ALC homepage: https://www.alc.org.uk
- Contact: https://www.alc.org.uk/contact-us
- Law Society Children Panel (find accredited children solicitors): https://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk
- Family Rights Group advice line (public law help for parents): https://frg.org.uk
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws, procedures and contact details change — verify anything important against the official sources linked above before relying on it. Your Family Case is an independent directory listing; we take no referral fees and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or receiving payment from any organisation listed.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.