Who Is Forum Shah? Inside Her Work in International Child Abduction and Children Law

Forum Shah is a solicitor in England and Wales who specialises in private and public children law. Her work has a strong international focus, particularly in child abduction, child relocation, care proceedings, and complex cross-border disputes.

She qualified as a solicitor in 2014 and has worked exclusively in family law since then. Shah joined Dawson Cornwell in 2020 and became a Partner in 2024. She also serves as Chair of the Child Abduction Lawyers Association and sits on the Executive Committee of the Association of Lawyers for Children.

Quick Bio

Personal DetailInformation
Full Name	Forum Shah
Profession	Solicitor
Current Role	Partner at Dawson Cornwell
Qualified	2014
Main Specialism	Private and public children law
Key Expertise	International child abduction and relocation
Professional Status	Resolution Accredited Specialist
Leadership Role	Chair of the Child Abduction Lawyers Association
Languages	English, fluent Gujarati, basic Hindi

Who Is Forum Shah?

Forum Shah is a Partner in the children department at Dawson Cornwell, a London-based family law firm. Her practice focuses on children law, with particular experience in international child abduction, relocation, and complex cross-border cases.

She has worked in family law since qualifying in 2014. Her practice covers both private and public children proceedings, including cases involving parents who live outside the UK.

Legal Career and Specialism in Family and Children Law

Forum Shah has built her legal career around family law, with a particular focus on cases involving children. She joined Dawson Cornwell in 2020 and was promoted to Partner in 2024.

Her practice includes child abduction, relocation, care proceedings, living arrangements, and contact disputes. She is also a Resolution Accredited Specialist in Child Abduction and Domestic Abuse and a member of the Law Society Children Panel.

Her professional profile includes reported cases heard in senior courts, including the High Court and Court of Appeal.

International Child Abduction and Hague Convention Cases

International child abduction is one of Forum Shah’s main areas of expertise. She acts for both applicants and respondents in cases brought under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

She also receives instructions directly from the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit. These cases can involve urgent decisions about whether a child should be returned to another country.

Shah has also contributed to professional training on international child abduction procedure, including Hague Convention cases and matters involving the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction.

Non-Hague Countries, High Court Wardship, and Cross-Border Cases

Forum Shah’s international practice is not limited to countries covered by the Hague Convention. She also handles cases involving non-Hague jurisdictions.

These matters can involve the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court and wardship proceedings. The legal route may differ depending on the country involved, the child’s circumstances, and the orders already in place.

Her international work has included cases connected with jurisdictions across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

International Child Relocation and Complex Parenting Disputes

International relocation is another important part of Shah’s practice. She represents clients in disputes involving proposed moves abroad and other cross-border parenting arrangements.

Her work also covers disagreements about where a child should live and how contact with parents or other family members should be managed. These cases can involve complex practical and legal issues, especially when a proposed move would affect a child’s relationship with both parents.

Shah also acts in cases involving parents who live outside the UK but are involved in English family proceedings.

Domestic Abuse, Parental Alienation, and Care Proceedings

Forum Shah handles complex children cases involving allegations of domestic abuse, parental alienation, and drug or alcohol misuse. These issues can play an important role in decisions about a child’s care and living arrangements.

She is Resolution accredited in Domestic Abuse as well as Child Abduction. Her work also includes representing parents and other family members in care proceedings.

Her international experience is particularly relevant when a parent lives abroad and is seeking to have a child placed in their care.

Leadership in the Child Abduction Lawyers Association

Forum Shah is Chair of the Child Abduction Lawyers Association, also known as CALA. She took on the role in 2026, adding a significant leadership position to her specialist work in international child abduction law.

She is also an elected member of the Executive Committee of the Association of Lawyers for Children.

These roles reflect her involvement in professional organisations focused on children law, child abduction, and the interests of children involved in legal proceedings.

Professional Accreditations, Memberships, and Court Advocacy

Shah is a Resolution Accredited Specialist in Child Abduction and Domestic Abuse. She is also a member of the Law Society Children Panel.

Her professional affiliations have included Resolution, the International Association of Young Lawyers, Young Legal Aid Lawyers, and the Family Law Panel.

She is an experienced advocate and often conducts her own advocacy. Her work has also been recognised by major legal directories, including Chambers UK and Legal 500.

Working With International Families and Multilingual Clients

Forum Shah speaks English and fluent Gujarati, as well as basic Hindi. These language skills can help when working with clients from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Her practice regularly involves international elements and cross-border family disputes. Clear communication can be especially important when clients are dealing with unfamiliar legal systems or proceedings in another country.

Her reported and directory-listed experience includes cases connected with Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Where Is Forum Shah Practising Today?

Forum Shah currently practises as a Partner in the children department at Dawson Cornwell LLP in London.

Her work remains focused on international child abduction, child relocation, and complex public and private children law. She also continues to serve as Chair of the Child Abduction Lawyers Association and remains involved with the Association of Lawyers for Children.

Her professional profile also reflects continued recognition from leading legal directories for her work in children law.

Conclusion

Forum Shah has developed a specialist legal career focused on children law with a strong international dimension. Her experience includes Hague Convention cases, non-Hague disputes, High Court wardship, international relocation, care proceedings, and domestic abuse matters.

Her role as a Partner at Dawson Cornwell, Chair of the Child Abduction Lawyers Association, and member of the Association of Lawyers for Children reflects her established position in this specialist area of family law.

FAQs

Who Is Forum Shah and What Does She Specialise In?

Forum Shah is a Partner at Dawson Cornwell and a solicitor specialising in children law. Her main areas of work include international child abduction, child relocation, care proceedings, and complex private and public children cases.

Is Forum Shah an International Child Abduction Solicitor?

Yes. International child abduction is one of her principal areas of expertise. She acts in Hague Convention proceedings and also receives instructions from the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit.

Does Forum Shah Handle Hague and Non-Hague Child Abduction Cases?

Yes. Her practice includes cases under the 1980 Hague Convention as well as matters involving non-Hague countries, High Court inherent jurisdiction, and wardship proceedings.

Does Forum Shah Represent Parents in International Child Relocation Cases?

Yes. International child relocation is an established part of her practice. She also handles living arrangements, contact disputes, and other cross-border parenting matters.

What Types of Domestic Abuse and Children Law Cases Does Forum Shah Handle?

Her work includes cases involving domestic abuse, parental alienation, drug or alcohol allegations, and care proceedings. She is also a Resolution Accredited Specialist in Domestic Abuse.

What Professional Accreditations Does Forum Shah Hold?

Forum Shah is a Resolution Accredited Specialist in Child Abduction and Domestic Abuse. She is also a member of the Law Society Children Panel.

What Languages Does Forum Shah Speak?

Forum Shah speaks English and fluent Gujarati, as well as basic Hindi. These language skills support her work with clients in international and cross-cultural family cases.

Where Is Forum Shah Practising Now?

Forum Shah currently works as a Partner at Dawson Cornwell LLP in London. Her practice remains focused on children law, particularly international child abduction and relocation.

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