Harcourt Chambers

Dr Rob George is a leading expert on international family law, particularly in relation to relocation disputes, child abduction, and jurisdiction, as well as private law and medical decision-making cases. He has published numerous books and papers on these subjects, and been involved with many of the leading cases. He won the Jordans International Family Lawyer of the Year Award 2021. Rob is also a noted expert on wardship and the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction; he is often instructed in such cases, and has a forthcoming book on this subject coming out in 2024.

Rob works at all levels of the Family Court, with particular experience in High Court cases; he frequently appears in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Rob came to the Bar after 8 years researching and teaching family law at the University of Oxford, and he continues his academic work as Professor of Law and Policy at University College London alongside his practice. Rob’s internationally acknowledged academic expertise in international family law issues allows him to bring real depth to his advice and advocacy work.

Called 2013 after a full-time academic career in Oxford and London. Rob’s recent notable cases include:

Article 39 v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] EWHC 1398 (Fam) Re A (1996 Hague Convention) [2023] EWCA Civ 659 Re L (Abduction: Set-Aside Application) [2022] EWHC 3564 (Fam) Battersbee and Dance v Barts Health NHS Trust [2022] EWCA Civ 935 and 1055 Re T [2021] UKSC 35 Re A and B (Rescission of Order: Change of Circumstances) [2021] EWFC 76 A County Council v M [2021] EWFC 35 Re NY (A Child) [2019] UKSC BB v CC (Residence Order) [2018] EWFC B78 Re G (Declaration of Parentage: Removal of Person Identified as Mother from Birth Certificate) [2018] EWHC 3360 (Fam) Re L (Relocation: Second Appeal) [2017] EWCA Civ 2121 Re B and C (Change of Name: Parental Responsibility: Evidence) [2017] EWHC 3250 (Fam) S v S (Relocation) [2017] EWHC 2345 (Fam) Re JS (Disposal of Body) [2016] EWHC 2859 (Fam) Re N (Adoption: Jurisdiction) [2016] UKSC 15 Re J (A Child) (1996 Hague Convention) [2015] UKSC 70 Re C (Internal Relocation) [2015] EWCA Civ 1305

Rob has published numerous books and papers on family law. His books include OUP’s flagship text ‘Family Law: Text, Cases, and Materials‘ (5th edn, 2023) [with Sharon Thompson and Joanna Miles]; the ‘Dictionary of Private Children Law’ (annual since 2021); ‘Relocation: A Practical Guide’ (2nd edn, 2016) [with Frances Judd QC, Damian Garrido QC and Anna Worwood]; ‘Relocation Disputes: Law and Practice in England and New Zealand’ (2014); and ‘Ideas and Debates in Family Law’ (2012).

Rob frequently speaks at conferences and seminars for both academics and practitioners, and runs a highly-rated CPD course on relocation disputes and jurisdiction. He is also happy to be approached about doing bespoke events.

BA Jurisprudence, Trinity College, Oxford (2005); MSc Social Policy, Trinity College, Oxford (2006); DPhil Family Law, Lincoln College, Oxford (2010).