Jala Patang

Jala is a leading barrister in family law and her busy practice includes a wide variety of cases, including allegations of domestic violence, coercion and control, coaching, parental alienation. She is regularly instructed to attend fact finding hearings and final hearings and is vastly experienced in drafting final agreements. Jala is very experienced in advising and representing clients in relation to various injunctive remedies before the family courts including contested applications for non-molestations orders, occupation order and prohibited steps orders.

Jala's divorce and financial settlement practice sees her representing clients throughout proceedings from FDA, FDR to Final Hearings. She has worked with clients from a wide range of backgrounds and is experienced in dealing with various cultural issues arising from divorce proceedings. Jala also accepts instructions on TOLATA cases.

My approach

Jala conducts litigation for majority of her clients and she is known for her aggressive approach to litigation and her ability to advise and represent clients at all stages of the litigation process. Jala advises on all forms of commercial litigation such as Worldwide Freezing Orders, contractual disputes, allegations of fraud, applications for injunctive relief, third party cost orders, and other forms of dispute. Jala is frequently instructed on application for the appointment of a litigation friends for protected parties, of which most are extensively contested as it raises issue of capacity to litigate and potential set aside applications.

Jala is also a leading barrister in family law and her busy practice includes a wide variety of cases, including allegations of domestic violence, coercion and control, coaching, parental alienation. She is regularly instructed to attend fact finding hearings and final hearings and is vastly experienced in drafting final agreements. Jala is very experienced in advising and representing clients in relation to various injunctive remedies before the family courts including contested applications for non-molestations orders, occupation order and prohibited steps orders.

Jala's divorce and financial settlement practice sees her representing clients throughout proceedings from FDA, FDR to Final Hearings. She has worked with clients from a wide range of backgrounds and is experienced in dealing with various cultural issues arising from divorce proceedings and has represented intervenors in respect of claims for beneficial interest and trust matters (TOLATA). Jala's robust and extensive cross examination skills is described as 'leaving no stone unturned'.

With a reputation for delivering results, Jala is recognised for her ability to distil complex legal issues into understandable terms for clients. She is well known for her excellent client skills and has been described by her clients and colleagues as a fearless barrister, sympathetic to her clients and consistently meticulous in her work.

Jala brings a wealth of experience to her practice who believes in resolution without recourse to court proceedings, wherever possible. Jala has engaged in various alternative dispute resolutions such as mediation and has been able to successfully defend her clients against well-resourced and difficult opponents by negotiating favourable settlements for her clients.

About me

Outside of work, Jala's main focus is her family which she loves spending time with. Jala explores the world by travelling to various countries and is enthusiastic to learn different cultures. Jala is also a keen swimmer and advocates for a healthy lifestyle balance.

Notable cases

Hall v NH & CE Ltd [2020], Jala was instructed on behalf of the First Defendant, a complex, multi-million-pound case in the High Court in Manchester involving breach of contract, fraud, freezing orders, cross jurisdiction element, namely Philippines. The Defendant pleaded lack of capacity to litigate and experts were instructed to assess his capacity, a trial on this issue was listed. The parties entered mediation and succeeded in a settlement agreement with the appointment of a litigation friend. SMT v Aviva Insurance Ltd [2023], Jala was instructed by the Claimant in a claim brought against his travel insurer for a fire incident outside the jurisdiction whilst travelling, seeking damages circa £100,000. The Claimant being a litigant in person was advised as per every aspect of the claim, making is trial ready. W4W Ltd & Other v W&G International Ltd & Other [2021], Jala was instructed on behalf of the Claimants, to have conduct of the litigation in a franchise agreement dispute, a claim in excess of £2.3 million. The Claimants were the franchisee of a well-known international franchise chain. The claim consisting of breach of contractual terms, misrepresentation and suspected fraud on behalf of the CEO of the franchisor. SW v Mez Ltd & Others [2021], Jala was instructed by the Defendants, being the company and the director of the company, in this very complex health & safety matter brought by the former employee of the company involving in an accident that resulted the employee having severe multiple life-threatening & permanent injuries. The Claimant sought damages in excess of £500,000. Jala was involved during all stages of the proceedings with the matter being successfully settled through negotiations. Selected few cases in Civil, Chancery & Commercial Disputes:

• BBE & Others [2019], Jala was involved in defending a £2 million World Wide Freezing Order against a Defendant suspected of carrying out fraud against his employers. The matter resolved by way of a successful settlement agreement.
• Hall v NH & CE Ltd [2020], Jala was instructed on behalf of the First Defendant, a complex, multi-million-pound case in the High Court in Manchester involving breach of contract, fraud, freezing orders, cross jurisdiction element, namely Philippines. The Defendant pleaded lack of capacity to litigate and experts were instructed to assess his capacity, a trial on this issue was listed. The parties entered mediation and succeeded in a settlement agreement with the appointment of a litigation friend.
• W4W Ltd & Other v W&G International Ltd & Other [2021], Jala was instructed on behalf of the Claimants, to have conduct of the litigation in a franchise agreement dispute, a claim in excess of £2.3 million. The Claimants were the franchisee of a well-known international franchise chain. The claim consisting of breach of contractual terms, misrepresentation and suspected fraud on behalf of the CEO of the franchisor.
• AT v SA Insurance Ltd [2023], Jala was instructed by the Claimant, a claim brought against the motor insurer, to challenge the refusal of indemnity for the repairs of a supercar in the sum of circa £450,000.
• MRR & Others v AM & Others [2021], Jala was instructed by the First Defendant to have conduct of the litigation involving the personal insolvency of the Second Defendant who was a joint legal beneficiary of a property owned by the First Defendant. The First Defendant defended the proceedings relying on TOLATA, pleading 100% beneficial ownership of the property.
• AP Ltd v TS [2022], Jala was instructed by the C to bring a claim against the tenant in a commercial lease dispute for long-standing arrears, amounting to circa £320,000. The claim is on-going.
• YB v BE & Others [2023], Jala was instructed to represent the Defendants in a neighbour dispute, a claim consisting of nuisance and negligence of water ingress and boundary dispute. Jala successfully defended the claim, obtaining a cost order against the Claimant.
• SW v Mez Ltd & Others [2021], Jala was instructed by the Defendants, being the company and the director of the company, in this very complex health & safety matter brought by the former employee of the company involving in an accident that resulted the employee having severe multiple life-threatening & permanent injuries. The Claimant sought damages in excess of £500,000. Jala was involved during all stages of the proceedings with the matter being successfully settled through negotiations.
• SK v RA [2021], Jala was instructed to represent the Defendant in claim brought by the Claimant for a financial provision from her former partner's estate under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. The matter had a cross jurisdiction element, namely Bangladesh. Jala advanced argument, amongst others, in respect the deceased had a Bengali domicile of origin, and was domiciled in Bangladesh at the time of death thus the C has no right under the Act.
• SMT v Aviva Insurance Ltd [2023], Jala was instructed by the Claimant in a claim brought against his travel insurer for a fire incident outside the jurisdiction whilst travelling, seeking damages circa £100,000. The Claimant being a litigant in person was advised as per every aspect of the claim, making is trial ready.
• British Gas Trading Ltd v VS Ltd [2023], Jala was instructed to represent the Defendant in a winding up petition brought by the Claimant. Jala managed to successfully defend the petition and sought costs in favour of the Defendant.

Recent Cases: Selected few cases in Family Law

• Re: M & S [2021], Jala represented the Father in 9 day fact finding hearing, the Mother bringing allegations of financial abuse, controlling and coercive behaviour, Islamic radicalisation, drug abuse and physical abuse. Jala successfully defended all the allegations brought against the Father.
• Re: A [2022], Jala represented the Father in a 5 day fact finding hearing where the Mother had brought numerous allegations against the Father for threat to kill, abduction, physical abuse, control and coercion. The Father made cross allegations of psychological abuse, coaching and parental alienation. The Mother's allegations were not proved and further the Court found that there was parental alienation and coaching on the Mother's part. Jala was involved all the way through to the final hearing where staged contact was ordered.
• Re: H [2021], Jala was instructed to litigate on behalf of the Respondent Mother in an application for a child arrangements order. Jala was instructed to file for a non-molestation order, prohibited steps order and an occupation order of which were successful. The Mother resisted all forms of contact on the grounds of various allegations brought against the Father. At the 5 day fact finding hearing, the Mother's allegations were proved. Jala was involved through to the final hearing where the Court made an order for no contact.
• Re: M [2022], Jala was instructed by the Applicant Father in an application for child arrangements order, where the Mother brought serious allegations of rape, sexual assault against the children, psychological abuse, physical abuse, control & coercion. The Father was a litigant in person with Jala providing advice at every stage of the proceedings and represented him during the hearings. At a 9 day fact finding hearing, the allegations were largely disproved and an Independent Social Worker was appointed to complete the s7 report. The matter is due for a final hearing.
• RB v AH [2023], Jala was instructed by the Respondent in an urgent non-molestation order where the Applicant sought protection from the Court whilst various undertakings were in force. Jala managed to successfully defend the application with costs being ordered against the Applicant.
• GAR v H.H. S.F.A.S [2023], Jala is instructed by the Applicant in this on-going matter in an application against a royal family member of Oman. The claim is for a periodical payment order for the child in the sum of circa £2 million.
• B v B [2021], Jala is instructed by the Applicant Wife in a financial remedy matter, she has been involved from the onset of the proceedings and has appeared during all the hearings. The matrimonial pot of circa £1million, with the Respondent Husband's coming forward as intervenors claiming beneficial interest in various assets. The matter was determined in respect of the intervenors claim, with the final hearing to be tried.
• IP v GP [2020], Jala has been instructed throughout these proceedings by the Respondent Husband in a claim brought by the Applicant Wife to enforce a spousal and child maintenance order from 2014. The matter consists of arrears and interest accrued in the sum of excess £1.2milion. Jala successfully defended the Husband with no interest being ordered and the remaining arrears were settled by way of a mediation thus avoiding court proceedings.
• MR v MR [2023], Jala was instructed to represent the Applicant Husband in a divorce petition, with the matter turning complex when the Respondent Wife filed a nullity petition on grounds of forced marriage. Jala managed to successfully defend the Husband in the nullity proceedings with the Wife paying the Husband's costs.

BBE & Others [2019], Jala was involved in defending a £2 million World Wide Freezing Order against a Defendant suspected of carrying out fraud against his employers. The matter resolved by way of a successful settlement agreement. Re: H [2021], Jala was instructed to litigate on behalf of the Respondent Mother in an application for a child arrangements order. Jala was instructed to file for a non-molestation order, prohibited steps order and an occupation order of which were successful. The Mother resisted all forms of contact on the grounds of various allegations brought against the Father. At the 5 day fact finding hearing, the Mother's allegations were proved. Jala was involved through to the final hearing where the Court made an order for no contact. Re: A [2022], Jala represented the Father in a 5 day fact finding hearing where the Mother had brought numerous allegations against the Father for threat to kill, abduction, physical abuse, control and coercion. The Father made cross allegations of psychological abuse, coaching and parental alienation. The Mother's allegations were not proved and further the Court found that there was parental alienation and coaching on the Mother's part. Jala was involved all the way through to the final hearing where staged contact was ordered. B v B [2021], Jala is instructed by the Applicant Wife in a financial remedy matter, she has been involved from the onset of the proceedings and has appeared during all the hearings. The matrimonial pot of circa £1million, with the Respondent Husband's coming forward as intervenors claiming beneficial interest in various assets. The matter was determined in respect of the intervenors claim, with the final hearing to be tried. MRR & Others v AM & Others [2021], Jala was instructed by the First Defendant to have conduct of the litigation involving the personal insolvency of the Second Defendant who was a joint legal beneficiary of a property owned by the First Defendant. The First Defendant defended the proceedings relying on TOLATA, pleading 100% beneficial ownership of the property. AP Ltd v TS [2022], Jala was instructed by the C to bring a claim against the tenant in a commercial lease dispute for long-standing arrears, amounting to circa £320,000. The claim is on-going. SK v RA [2021], Jala was instructed to represent the Defendant in claim brought by the Claimant for a financial provision from her former partner's estate under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. The matter had a cross jurisdiction element, namely Bangladesh. Jala advanced argument, amongst others, in respect the deceased had a Bengali domicile of origin, and was domiciled in Bangladesh at the time of death thus the C has no right under the Act. SK v RA [2021], Jala was instructed to represent the Defendant in claim brought by the Claimant for a financial provision from her former partner's estate under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. The matter had a cross jurisdiction element, namely Bangladesh. Jala advanced argument, amongst others, in respect the deceased had a Bengali domicile of origin, and was domiciled in Bangladesh at the time of death thus the C has no right under the Ac