Ranked in Tier 1 for Family and Children Law – The Legal 500 (2025)
“‘David is just superb. His no nonsense, bold approach provides confidence that every instruction is in capable, safe hands. When required, his firm challenge to the bench and peers is always correctly pitched.’ – The Legal 500 (2025)
“David is a comprehensive advocate with a great eye for detail. He goes the extra mile for any client.” – The Legal 500 (2024)
“David is a formidable cross-examiner. He can unpick complexities in a case with ease. Measured and calm.” – The Legal 500 (2022)
“David has tremendous negotiation skills aided by a firm stance taken from the outset of discussion with other parties. There is no fear of David being compromised if it does not suit his position in the case.” – The Legal 500 (2021)
David Orbaum has practiced as a barrister and solicitor for over 30 years, with a busy mixed common-law practice including criminal, family and civil work. In recent years, he has specialised mostly in family law and has a comprehensive knowledge of the subject.
He specialises in all aspects of private and public children’s work in the family field, representing local authorities, parents and related parties, and children’s guardians. He takes on work involving potentially dangerous parties to care proceedings where others have been reluctant to act.
Crossover with crime
He has a clear understanding of issues affecting the crossover between the criminal and family jurisdictions. he acted as sole advocate (without a leader) for one of the parties in both the high-profile criminal and care proceedings arising out of a local kidnap investigation in Dewsbury, which attracted national media coverage.
International family cases
David has undertaken a number of cases involving difficult issues of international jurisdiction relating to children, divorce and nullity.
Approach
His many years in private practice as a solicitor enable David to relate confidently and effectively to the people he represents, regardless of their background.
Lecturing
David conducts seminars, lectures and training in relation to the cross over between criminal and family proceedings, and all aspects of public law children work.
Public Access
David Orbaum may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.
Notable cases
- 2009 – Re SM – a high-profile child-care case involving kidnap on a West Yorkshire housing estate; acted without leading counsel for boyfriend of mother
- 2013 – Re RM – acted with leader in complex child care case for father of child with complex injuries involving multi-disciplinary medical experts
- 2014 – SK v AK – acted for wife in divorce/nullity with difficult issues of international jurisdiction
- 2017 – Re NA, LA, Sa, SA and JA (Children)acted for father as leading junior in lengthy composite final hearing – very serious allegations of sexual abuse including rape and difficult issues in relation to children giving evidence.
- 2018 – Re MA, BA, SA (Children)- acted for Mother complex issues re unexplained non accidental head injury and international element with potential placement of children with foreign nationals (Libyan)- multiple hearings from commencement of proceedings in 2016.
- 2019 – Re CP,DP,DP,EP,LP and DP (Children)- Acted for Mother as leading junior in lengthy final composite hearing before high court judge with complex medical issues as to causation of serious injuries to genital area of child and difficult issues as to placement of 6 children with 4 children’s guardians.
Contact David’s clerks
David Orbaum has a solid understanding of jurisdiction and disclosure issues affecting both the criminal and family courts, and his child-care work combines well with his work on abuse cases in the criminal courts.
Serious offences
In recent years, David has undertaken representation in cases involving serious criminal offences of all types in the Crown Court, whether as a single advocate, being led, or as a leading junior. He particularly undertakes criminal defence work with an emphasis on physical- and sexual-abuse cases
Road traffic law
David has a comprehensive and specialised knowledge of road traffic law and regulatory offences, acting for individual defendants and companies in the Magistrates Court and representing defendants facing the most serious of offences — including causing death by dangerous driving in the Crown Court.
Approach
David’s years in practice as a solicitor have contributed to his confident and effective manner when dealing with those he represents, regardless of their background.
Advantageous experience
When practising as a solicitor for many years, David developed a busy mixed common-law practice including criminal, family and civil work. He developed extensive experience of advising at police stations and represented in the Magistrates and Youth Courts. As a result, he has a comprehensive grasp of the entire criminal process — a significant advantage when presenting cases in Crown Court.
Notable cases
- 2002 – R v Dennis Broadfield Leeds Crown Court – attempted murder with a firearm; acquitted
- 2008/9 – R v Craig Meehan – indecent images (high-profile media case) – convicted after trial in lower court and partially successful on appeal to Leeds Crown Court
- R v Haynes – nearly fatal section-18 wounding; sentence of 9 years successfully appealed to the Court of Appeal and significantly reduced
- 2012 R v Gardiner Newcastle Crown Court – very serious historic sexual-abuse case.
Lecturing
David has conducted seminars and has lectured extensively on all aspects of police station advice and how this impacts on criminal proceedings.
Public Access
David Orbaum may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.
Contact David’s clerks
Andrew Thornton on 0113 213 5202
Rebecca Wilson on 0113 213 5203
Over the past 30 years, David Orbaum has developed extensive experience of defending most aspects of regulatory work for individuals and companies, including health & safety, food hygiene, dangerous substances, and breaches of planning regulations.
Crossover with criminal law
He is also very experienced in cases involving serious criminal offences in the Crown Court. This crossover with criminal law lends an invaluable dimension to David’s regulatory & disciplinary work. His comprehensive grasp of the entire criminal process offers a significant advantage when presenting in Crown Court.
Approach
David’s prior experience working as a solicitor has resulted in a confident and effective approach when dealing with those he represents, regardless of their background.
Lecturing
David conducts seminars and lectures extensively on all aspects of police station advice and its impact on criminal proceedings.
Public Access
David Orbaum may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.
Contact David’s clerk
Madeleine Gray on 0113 202 8603