Oliver Millington

Call: 2003

E omillington@dekachambers.com
T +44(0)20 7832 0500
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Oliver Millington is an experienced family law barrister specialising in all aspects of the law relating to children. He practises in both private and public law family proceedings, in which he represents parents, other family members, local authorities, prospective adopters and children via their children’s guardians.

Oliver is regularly instructed in the most complex cases in the Family Court, often involving allegations of causing death or life-threatening injuries, poisoning, fabricated or induced illness (FII), sexual abuse, intractable hostility and complex mental health issues (including litigation capacity). Oliver has significant experience of dealing with international issues concerning jurisdiction and placements abroad.

As an advocate, Oliver has the benefit of drawing on a multi-disciplinary legal background, which has given him exposure to a wide variety of tribunals, including jury trials in the Crown Court, as well as hearings in the Court of Protection and the County Court.

Oliver is qualified to accept Direct Access instructions.

The focus of Oliver’s family practice is on public law proceedings in which he represents local authorities, parents, extended family members, prospective adopters and children via their guardians. He is regularly instructed in complex cases concerning serious non-accidental injury, sexual abuse and complex mental health issues. Oliver is used to dealing with international issues concerning jurisdiction and placements abroad.

Oliver is also regularly instructed in private law disputes, in particular where there are allegations of serious physical or sexual abuse, cases involving intractable hostility and where the children are separately represented.

Notable Family Law cases

  • A Local Authority v G (2022)

    Oliver was First Junior representing the child in a 4-week fact-finding hearing concerning the death of a sibling. All other parties were represented by Leading and Junior Counsel.

  • A Local Authority v D (2021)

    Oliver separately represented a teenager who was the subject of a Deprivation of Liberty application. The case was joined with several others to form a test case on a novel point of law, namely whether the High Court can authorise under its inherent jurisdiction the deprivation of liberty of a child under the age of 16 where the child’s placement is prohibited by regulations that came into force on 9.09.21: Tameside MBC v AM and others [2021] EWHC 2472 (Fam).

  • A Local Authority v C (2020-2021)

    Oliver was junior counsel for the Local Authority in this High Court case that involved the death of a child. Oliver and his leader succeeded in obtaining findings that the mother’s boyfriend caused the child’s death. See C (A Child) [2020] EWCA Civ 987.

  • A Local Authority v A (2020)

    This High Court case concerned a mother’s refusal to consent to life-saving medical treatment for her son, who suffered from Sickle Cell Disease. The case involved a complex issue as to whether the treatment recommended by doctors at the treating hospital was in the child’s interests. Oliver succeeded in obtaining the orders sought by his client to protect the child.

  • A Local Authority v X (2019)

    Oliver acted as Special Advocate for a parent in a closed hearing in the High Court in relation to whether his client should receive highly confidential and sensitive material.

  • Recorder of the Family Court

  • BA (Hons), Modern Languages, Oxford University
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Law, College of Law

  • Family Law Bar Association
  • Association of Lawyers for Children

Endorsements

“Oliver has a personable style and is particularly good with young people, who are represented separately from the guardian.”

Chambers UK 2026

“Oliver is an excellent advocate who always has a thorough knowledge of his papers. He approaches his work with care, sensitivity and humour, and is utterly reliable and highly able.”

Chambers UK 2026

“A leading barrister in public law children matters, who excels in the most complex of cases.”

Chambers UK 2026

“A strong and well-respected advocate, who focuses on the real issues in the case and gives sound strategic advice.”

Chambers and Partners 2025

“His grasp of the detail and application of the law are, of course, notable, but it is his ability to cut through to what is important in the case and bring everyone with him that makes him stand out.”

Chambers and Partners 2025

“Oliver Millington is meticulously well organised and really gets inside a case. He's excellent with clients and his style impresses judges.”

Chambers and Partners 2025

“Oliver has thorough knowledge of family law and an exceptional ability to handle the most complex and sensitive cases. A junior renowned for his compassionate advocacy. ”

Legal 500 2025

“Oliver is an excellent advocate and is very knowledgeable about children's law matters. His written material is second to none, and his advocacy style is robust. He fights for his clients and is a dream to work with.”

Legal 500 2024

“Oliver is meticulous and uses his extensive knowledge of the law to consider and address potential arguments from other parties. He is calm and presents his case in a manner that is clear and concise.”

Chambers & Partners 2024

“His experience is invaluable and he's really useful to have when discussing options.”

Chambers & Partners 2023

“Oliver Millington is a strong advocate, who is always well prepared and someone with an eye for detail. He's calm under pressure, can identify and focus on the key issues and is extremely competent when dealing with difficult clients.”

Chambers & Partners 2023

“A go-to counsel for children's guardians, who has the personal touch and adopts a quiet but assured approach. He gets his points across to judges in a way that takes them through all the issues, and supports his position without antagonising the other parties.”

Chambers UK, Family (Children) 2020

“Professional and well prepared, he strikes the right balance of being pleasant while still fighting his client's corner.”

Chambers UK, Family (Children) 2020

“Has a lovely manner, he is clear and to the point whilst being available and supportive of clients. His written advocacy is extremely strong.”

Legal 500, Children Law 2020

“Oliver is very grounded, with a good sense of proportion. He doesn’t pretend that black is white, and sees the bigger picture in a case.”

Chambers UK, Family (Children), 2019

“A fantastic litigator, he is reliable, presents cases very clearly, and has excellent client skills.”

Legal 500, Children Law 2019

“His civil practice really helps in cases where there are sophisticated medical issues such as non-accidental injury. An excellent choice in those cases, he's very well respected and has a good client manner. He's a very pragmatic, sensible advocate.”

Chambers UK, Family (Children), 2018

“A pleasure to instruct.”

Legal 500, Children Law 2018

“A go-to counsel for children's guardians.”

Chambers UK 2020

“His written advocacy is extremely strong.”

Legal 500 2020

“A fantastic litigator.”

Legal 500 2019

“A pleasure to instruct.”

Legal 500 2018

Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB)

Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate.

View my privacy policy.

Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB)

Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate.

View my privacy policy.

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Deka Chambers: 5 Norwich Street, London EC4A 1DR

© Deka Chambers 2026

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