Called: 1994

Practice Profile

Gemma has considerable experience in all areas of family law relating to children, with a particular specialism and interest in public law children cases and adoption. She has acted for local authorities, parents, grandparents, foster carers, adopters and children.

Gemma has delivered seminars in respect of public law children cases both locally in Kent and in London.

Gemma also has interest in Education Law and in particular the interrelationship between that area of law and public law children cases.

Specialist Practice Areas

 Family

• Care and Adoption (for Local Authorities, parents and guardians)
• Private Law Children work – with a particular emphasis on complex cases such as those that involve serious allegations, implacable hostility or parental alienation.

Other areas include

• Education

Notable Cases

• Re H (Child) [2003] EWCA Civ 369
• LM (By her Guardian) v Medway Council, RM and YM [2007]1FLR 1698
• Re D [2010] EWHC 3342
• H (Children) (Sexual abuse: fact-finding) [2011] EWCA Civ 525

Education

MA (English), Robinson College, Cambridge, 1990
CPE (Common Professional Examination in Law), University of Westminster, London 1993

Languages

French
Basic German

Professional Memberships

• Member of FLBA (Family Law Bar Association)
• Member of ELAS (Education Law Association)
• Member of ALC (Association of Lawyers for Children)

Hobbies and other interests

Outside of Chambers, Gemma enjoys gardening, walking her dog, going to concerts and the theatre and generally relaxing with her family.