Michael Allum
Partner
Michael Allum is a Partner at The International Family Law Group LLP.
Michael specialises in financial issues which arise on relationship breakdown including financial provision on divorce or separation, financial provision for the benefit of children (Sch 1) and financial provision after an overseas divorce (Part III). Michael also specialises in drafting Marital Agreements.
Michael’s practice covers both national and international cases. His international work includes the recognition of overseas marriages and divorces, the enforcement of financial orders and sharing English pensions after overseas divorces. He is regularly instructed to advise and act in relation to jurisdiction and/or forum disputes to secure proceedings in the most appropriate country.
Although Michael has extensive experience of taking cases through the court system where necessary, he will do his best to find an amicable settlement where possible. Michael’s reputation for adopting a pragmatic and conciliatory approach often results in many of his cases being settled out of court.
Michael is one of the leading family lawyers specialising on enforcing English pensions following an overseas divorce. He is regularly asked to provide second opinions to clients and overseas lawyers. Michael has been instructed to provide expert evidence for overseas courts in relation to English law.
Michael undertakes a significant amount of Anglo/Australian work and spent two weeks traveling around Australia vising Australian law firms in 2022.
Michael is ranked as a ‘Leading Lawyer’ in The Legal 500. In 2023 Michael won the prestigious IAFL European Chapter Young Lawyers’ Essay Competition for his submission on international marital agreements. Michael is a member of the editorial board of the Financial Remedies Journal
Michael is frequently asked to write articles for leading publications and give lectures/seminars to the legal profession on international family law issues. Michael is also committed to family law reform and is a regular contributor to the Government’s Consultation papers.
- ‘Michael Allum is a stand out partner. He knows the case law and family procedure rules inside out which he uses in his cases with much aplomb and is a fountain of knowledge for all of us in the industry.’
The Legal 500 UK 2025 - ‘Michael Allum is my go-to for financial remedies work. He is first rate. He has forensic attention to detail, a wonderful manner with clients, and is hugely knowledgeable'.
- ‘Michael Allum is a pleasure to deal with and is a commensurate professional'.
- Michael Allum has decades of experience. He is hardworking but personable and a pleasure to deal with'.
The Legal 500 UK 2024 - 'One of the best legal minds in the business. He will be a star in the family law world for many years to come!'
- 'Michael Allum is second to none. He would make himself available during weekends or late evenings. 'Michael Allum was an outstanding advocate for me at what was probably the most difficult time in my life. He was kind, thoughtful and understanding as well as being thoroughly professional and knowledgeable and he got me through the divorce and settlement process as smoothly as I could ever have imagined.'
The Legal 500 UK 2023 - ‘Michael Allum is an emerging star. One of the most knowledgeable practitioners on Part III claims (financial claims after foreign divorce). Understated but hugely effective and great to work with'
The Legal 500 UK 2022 - 'Michael Allum is proving to be very talented and in demand'.
- 'Michael Allum is outstanding'.
The Legal 500 UK 2021 - ‘Michael Allum is brilliant, an old head on young shoulders with impressive client handling skills.’
- ‘Michael Allum is a hardworking and intelligent lawyer’.
The Legal 500 UK 2020 - ‘Michael is incredibly diligent and hardworking’.
The Legal 500 UK 2019
- Co-editor of Financial Remedies Journal (FRJ)
- Member of Resolution
- 'The International Family Law Practice' 2021 - 2022 published by Family Law, LexisNexis (sixth edition) - chapters on Domicile, Residency, Nationality and Financial Provision following an overseas divorce (Part III)
- 'The International Family Law Practice' 2016 - 2017 published by Family Law, LexisNexis (fifth edition) - chapters on Financial Provision following an overseas divorce (known as Part III)
Articles
- Potanin v Potanina - The Supreme Court decision [2024] FRJ 18
- Looking back at Duxbury 30 Years On [2023] FRJ 11
- Cohabitation Rights in England and Wales, Scotland and Australia [2023] FRJ 135
- Financial provision after foreign divorce: Is it time to reform the leave/permission procedure? [2020] IFL 1
- Practical guidance for dealing with foreign assets in national cases [2020] IFL 50
- International Res Judicata: Should Australian family law provide a second bite of the cherry when the first bite abroad was unfair or inadequate? [2019] IFL 170
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