⚠️ Strong Warning to Fathers Experiencing Parental Alienation – My Experience with Barrister Jenna Allen (Family Court, 25 March 2025)
I was represented by barrister Jenna Allen at my family court hearing on 25 March 2025. In my view, her conduct and preparation not only fell below professional standards — it actively harmed my case in a situation where the emotional and legal stakes could not have been higher.
What fathers need to know:
Completely unprepared – She came to court with no personal statement for the judge and no grasp of my case history or strategy. In the short time I had with her before the hearing, I had to explain my entire case, including breaches, evidence, and safeguarding concerns — all of which she later ignored.
Failed to present critical evidence – Serious breaches of the court order and safeguarding risks to my daughter were not raised unless I pressed her in front of the judge.
Undermined my position – At several points, she appeared to adopt my ex‑wife’s narrative, supporting explanations that conflicted with documented evidence and were introduced for the first time during the hearing.
Dismissed safeguarding risks – Concerns about alcohol misuse, self‑prescribing medication, and theft of controlled drugs were brushed aside, despite our prior agreement that these issues warranted fact‑finding and testing.
Misrepresented facts to the court – Incorrect statements were made about mediation, contact history, and my own conduct, leaving the judge with a false picture of events.
Inappropriate conduct and comments – Personal questions and dismissive post‑hearing remarks left me feeling undermined by the very person meant to represent me.
This was not simply “poor service” — in my opinion, it left me fighting my own barrister as well as the opposing party. For a father already facing the isolating, damaging effects of parental alienation, this kind of representation can push you closer to hopelessness. I can now understand why so many fathers in these circumstances speak of feeling broken, silenced, and — tragically — why some take their own lives.
If you are a father in a high‑conflict contact dispute, do not assume any barrister will advocate for you just because they are instructed. Demand evidence they know your case inside out and will challenge misleading narratives. In my experience, Jenna Allen did neither.
Our children deserve to have both parents represented fearlessly and fairly. Anything less can have permanent consequences.
