Forum Shah

Partner
"She is incredibly bright and goes above and beyond for her clients"Chambers UK 2024
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Profile

Described by sources as an “outstanding” associate who provides “a first class service, Forum is ranked as “Up and Coming” by Chambers 2025 and a “Next Generation Partner” by The Legal 500 2026. She has practised family law exclusively since qualifying as a solicitor in 2014 and joined Dawson Cornwell in 2020 being made up to partner in 2024.  She is a Resolution Accredited Specialist in Child Abduction and Domestic Abuse. 

Forum specialises in private and public children law, with particular expertise in international child abduction and international child relocation. She receives instructions directly from the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU). She acts for both applicants and respondents in cases concerning the 1980 Hague Convention, as well as the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court/wardship and non Hague Convention countries. 

Forum also acts for parents and other family members in care proceedings (her expertise in international children law means she is often chosen by parents residing abroad who are seeking their child to be placed with them), in living and contact arrangements, applications for international relocation and cases involving allegations of drug and alcohol abuse, domestic abuse and parental alienation. 

She is an elected member of the Executive Committee of both the Child Abduction Lawyers Association (CALA) and the Association of Lawyers for Children (ALC).  She is a member of Resolution, AIJA (The International Association of Young Lawyers), the Young Legal Aid Lawyers and The Family Law Panel.  As a skilled advocate she often undertakes her own advocacy. 

Forum has volunteered for various organisations over the years including the One Stop Shop in Tower Hamlets and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau at the Central Family Court. 

Forum speaks fluent Gujarati and basic Hindi. 

Awards & Recognitions
Rankings

Next Generation Partner
"Forum Shah is a stand-out litigator on children issues. She has taken some of the most innovative, important children cases in recent years. She is always popular with clients and speaks with calmness and authority that sets the clients at ease. Forum has an excellent knowledge of international and children's law and procedure that is used both tactically and effectively, and she is quite commanding in the conduct of cases."
Legal 500 2026

Up and Coming
Forum Shah is building a strong practice as a children law specialist, with growing experience in cross-border cases. She assists clients with regard to child relocation and abduction to jurisdictions around the world including in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. "Forum Shah is one of the most dedicated and hard working lawyers I know. You know if you get a case from her that it's going to be immaculately prepared." "Forum is a Hague Convention specialist and pre-eminent in this field.""Forum is a genius who will think about a case, plot out a strategy and will invariably get it spot on."
Chambers UK 2025

Next Generation Partner
“Forum Shah is becoming a true legend in her field. Entirely unflappable, she has nerves of steel that are a prerequisite in abduction cases."
Legal 500 2025

Up and Coming
Forum Shah is building a strong practice as a children law specialist, with growing experience in cross-border cases. She assists clients with regard to child relocation and abduction to jurisdictions around the world including in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. “She is incredibly bright and goes above and beyond for her clients.” “Forum is a star in the making. She knows international work inside out and she is always looking to ensure that the case is the best it can be.” "Forum works incredibly hard and is committed to getting the best possible result for her client. She is tactically very strong and has very good knowledge in international children work."
Chambers UK 2024

Rising Star
“Forum Shah is extremely dedicated to her work on Hague Convention cases and has a very sharp mind that does not miss a point." "Forum Shah is an outstanding child abduction litigator. She deploys a strategic approach to cases and is always one step ahead of the other side. She is an absolute delight to work with." Forum Shah is an "absolute expert in their field."
Legal 500 2024

Associate to Watch
Forum Shah is noted for her growing children law practice that sees her represent clients in complex cross-border cases. "Forum is very approachable, incredibly thorough and is good at finding solutions. Her clients feel at ease with her." "She has a quietly self-assured manner, is tactically very astute and very detailed. Her case management is second to none and she leaves no stone unturned." "Forum has got a very quick mind, understands the law and is extremely affable. She is accessible, straight-talking and manages expectations very well." "She works extremely hard for her client and is motivated to secure the right outcome for them. Forum is tenacious and produces good quality work." "She is very client-focused and practical in her approach." 
Chambers UK 2023

Rising Star
“Forum Shah is a fantastic children’s lawyer. She has vast experience representing children and young people in complex proceedings within the private, public and international arena”.
Legal 500 2023

Rising Star
“Forum Shah: Very bright. She is always one step ahead in litigation. She has represented a number of young people in difficult private law proceedings”
Legal 500 2022

Forum Shah was named as a Recommended Lawyer
Legal 500 2021

"an exceptional associate who has carved out a niche for herself in child abduction law"
Legal 500 2020

"streets ahead of others particularly in relation to child abduction"
Legal 500 2019

"way ahead of her peers with her level of knowledge and expertise"
Legal 500 2018

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