Alison Hayes - Partner

“She is one of the most cost-effective yet super-efficient lawyers I know; she has the most streamlined approach to litigation.”  

“Alison is a force of nature and is definitely somebody you want on your side.” Chambers UK 2023

Contact Alison: [email protected]

Call: 020 7556 2400

Start today with our simple AI tool

Alison Hayes joined the firm as a partner in April 2002. She handles complex financial remedy cases and all aspects and type of work involving children often of a complex nature, managing a high level of emotion. Alison is experienced at drawing up all types of agreements between people wishing to regulate their relationships, whether married or not.

Alison does not need to litigate; she is also a Resolution accredited member and a qualified mediator, including qualified to mediate with children. She is also a trained Collaborative Lawyer.

Recognition

“Alison Hayes is always so quick and efficient. She’s really hot on trust and enforcement.” Chambers HNW 2026

“Alison Hayes has been helpful and wise in understanding my situation. She has skilfully handled communication and provided excellent advice, helping me to understand the divorce process.” Chambers HNW 2026

‘Levison Meltzer Pigott‘s divorce practice has strong expertise in matters involving hidden assets, trust structures, and jurisdictional disputes. Pre- and post-nuptial agreements are another core area, with mediator Alison Hayes bringing particular strength.’ Legal 500 2026

“Alison Hayes is a very smart cookie.” Chambers HNW 2025 and Chambers UK 2026

“Alison Hayes is completely dedicated to every case. She’s always completely on top of everything.” Chambers HNW 2025 and Chambers UK 2026

“Alison is really firm, really kind and quick.” Chambers HNW 2025 and Chambers UK 2026

“Alison Hayes is excellent.” Chambers HNW 2024 and Chambers UK 2025

“Alison Hayes is ruthlessly efficient; she gets straight to the nub of a matter.” Chambers UK 2023
“She is one of the most cost-effective yet super-efficient lawyers I know; she has the most streamlined approach to litigation.” Chambers UK 2023

“Alison is a force of nature and is definitely somebody you want on your side.” Chambers UK 2023

“She is top quality and has a practical approach.” Chambers UK 2023

“Alison is really excellent. She is one of the people you want to go to if you have complicated jurisdiction issues or trust matters overseas.” Chambers UK 2023

“A relatively small team commands huge respect in the sector and an excellent standard of work. Alison Hayes has seen it all, (and) strategises excellently.” Legal 500 2023

Ranked Lawyer – Alison Hayes shows particular strength in acting on international children and finance matters, including wardships and high-value prenuptial agreements. Her cross-border practice also covers contentious consent orders and matters with parallel criminal proceedings.  Chambers UK 2022   

“She’s very good at international trust issues and the need to enforce in foreign jurisdictions.” Chambers UK 2021

Alison Hayes is such a fighter and shows huge commitment to her clients. Legal 500 2021

‘Alison Hayes is in a class of her own. Her judgement is spot on and she has the rare quality of being able to deliver firm and sometimes difficult advice with a humble and human approach which results in clients listening to her even when the advice is not what they want to hear. She is fearless but couples that with humility which makes her a joy to work with’ Legal 500 2021

Alison Hayes is “very sensible, tough and fights her corner very hard,” says a fellow family solicitor. She is noted for work involving complex asset structures and international trusts. A barrister says Hayes is “very good at international trust issues and the need to enforce in foreign jurisdictions,” adding that “she is the go-to person for enforcement against offshore trusts.” Chambers HNW Guide 2020

“She thinks thoroughly about her clients’ long-term interests and offers a personal touch with her approach and attitude.” Chambers UK Guide 2020

Alison Hayes is commended for her experience in advising wealthy individuals on financial remedy matters, often involving offshore trusts, and for handling children cases. “She has this no-nonsense approach,” reports a market commentator who notes that “clients do not want to go anywhere else, they just want to stay with Alison.” Chambers HNW Guide 2019

View more

Alison Hayes comes particularly recommended for her work in sensitive private law children cases, but also has an active practice in financial remedy matters. One source comments: “She’s very good at holding her clients together and provides them with that element of emotional support necessary in a legal context.” Chambers UK 2019

Alison Hayes’ “dedication to her clients seems boundless. She is fantastically thorough and a team player through and through”. Legal 500 2018/9

Alison Hayes advises wealthy individuals on significant financial remedy matters and also handles children cases. “She is excellent on children matters,” observes a source; “she is formidable – she is fearless at times.” Another interviewee says: “She is a very good solicitor and she provides a bit of backbone for her clients,” adding: “She holds her clients together and provides them with that element of emotional support necessary in this context.” Chambers HNW Guide 2018

Interviewees note that Alison Hayes “will always go the extra mile for her clients – she’s so completely available and dependable. She also manages to combine delicate cases with humour so that she keeps her clients’ spirits up.” She handles a wide range of issues associated with relationship dissolution, including finance and private children matters. Chambers UK 2018

Alison Hayes “really goes that extra mile for her clients, and is completely client-focused”. Legal 500 2017

Alison Hayes “pulls no punches,” says a source; “she’s very straight-talking, doesn’t waste anyone’s time but absolutely cuts to it. Whether that’s cutting to a deal or cutting to litigation, she gets there fast.” According to another, she “fights her client’s corner very strongly and doesn’t take many backwards steps. She’s quite formidable.” Hayes handles impressively complex family litigation matters, and has a strong international element to her practice. “She’s a litigator,”says a barrister; “I don’t mean she’s allergic to settlement – she’s perfectly pragmatic and sensible – but her instincts are battling instincts.” This source continues: “She is very much looking for a way to identify what the client wants and see if it can be fought for.” Chambers HNW Guide 2017

Alison Hayes is commended for her “brilliant client care skills.” Sources describe her as “a real all-rounder” who is highly experienced in complex children and financial matters. Chambers UK 2017

Alison Hayes is “technically brilliant”. Legal 500 2016

Alison is also consistently recognised in the “Leading Lawyers – Family & Matrimonial”. Citywealth Leaders List

“She’s very good at international trust issues and the need to enforce in foreign jurisdictions.” Chambers UK 2021

Education

St Alban’s Girls School ; North London Polytechnic (1990 BA Hons); City University (1992 CPE/LSF).

Career

Trained Mishcon de Reya; qualified 1994; partner Mishcon de Reya 2000-02; partner Levison Meltzer Pigott 2002.

Member

Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association).

Sarah Chalmers
Alison's Executive Assistant

Please email Sarah at:
[email protected]

Call Sarah on:
020 7556 2400