Martha specialises in proceedings concerning children. She is instructed in complex private and public law proceedings, many of which have an international dimension. Martha frequently appears in the High Court, as well as recent appearances in the Court of Appeal. She has been shortlisted for 2024’s International Family Lawyer of the Year.
Alongside this, Martha specialises in cases concerning the health and welfare of vulnerable adults in the Court of Protection. She is a recognised practitioner in the field, having just been appointed as a contributor to the “bible” on Court of Protection law (the Court of Protection Practice).Martha has extensive experience of complex public children work including cases of non-accidental injury and human rights claims. She has particular skill in cases involving incapacitated or learning disabled parents.
Martha has extensive experience within the private law field including cases involving relocation, surrogacy and assisted reproduction and mental health issues.
A large part of Martha’s practice involves cases with an international element. She is currently instructed in a high profile case concerning two missing children which has attracted national media attention. She is regularly instructed in international abduction, forced marriage and stranded spouse cases in the High Court. Martha also has experience of international public law cases involving such issues as radicalisation, sex trafficking, international adoption and the placement of children abroad.
Much of Martha’s work is at the interface between family and Court of Protection jurisdictions including applications under the inherent jurisdiction, medical treatment cases and cross-border issues. Her Court of Protection practice is focussed exclusively on health and welfare disputes concerning vulnerable and incapacitated adults. She has experience of a wide range of cases involving disputes regarding residence, care, contact, deprivation of liberty and serious medical treatment including end of life care. Martha regularly speaks at conferences and seminars and writes widely in the field, editing and contributing to the Court of Protection Law Reports and other publications. First editing and contributing to the Court of Protection Law Reports and more recently being appointed as contributor to the Court of Protection Practice (the “bible” of Court of Protection law).
Member of the Ethics Committee of the Bar Council Member of the Family Law Bar Association Member of the Court of Protection Bar Association Full member of the Child Abduction Lawyers’ Association
Martha read history at St Hugh’s College, Oxford. Prior to coming to the Bar, Martha interned at the Center for Equal Justice in New Orleans and at the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative in New Delhi. In 2010 and 2011 she was made a Diplock Scholar of Middle Temple. She won the Rosamund Smith Mooting Competition in 2011 and was a finalist in the City University Mooting Competition in the same year.