Martin Todd

Year of call:

1991

Education:

Northumbria University

Inns Of Court School of Law in London

Appointments:

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

2022 - Appointed Recorder

Languages:

German

Ranked in Chambers and Partners (2024) and  Tier 1 in The Legal 500 (2024) for Family and Children Law.

Martin is a highly respected and sought after Family specialist practitioner. He is regularly retained by Local Authorities, Parents and Guardians alike, in serious alleged Inflicted Injury cases because of his reputation as a tenacious advocate who will pursue his clients case leaving ‘no stone unturned’ in seeking the best outcome for them.

“Martin has a fantastic advocacy style and develops rapport with clients brilliantly, answering all their questions.” – Chambers and Partners (2024)

“Martin brings a kinetic energy to all of his cases. He energises the court and advocates’ room; he is tenacity personified.” – Chambers and Partners (2024)

“He is impressive and a natural advocate. He is very good on medical matters.” – Chambers and Partners (2024)

A tenacious advocate who has a undeniable skill with vulnerable clients. An impressive cross-examiner.” – The Legal 500 (2024)

Martin is always thoroughly prepared, has considered the issues in the case in detail, and his cross examination is incisive and purposeful. He is fantastic on cases involving complex medical information. His approachable but professional manner makes him a firm favourite with judges and clients alike.’2 – Legal 500 (2023)

“An expert in complex cases, particularly involving alleged injuries. His advocacy is brilliant but it is his sensitivity and empathy with clients which stands out.” – The Legal 500 (2022)

“He is genuinely interested in the case and the outcome. His client care is really excellent. He is very experienced and a good advocate, and is good at high-conflict cases.” – Chambers and Partners (2021)

“Martin stands out as an incredibly diligent and committed barrister who is empathy personified. He is the advocate of choice for many care practitioners and Guardians in our local court who benefit hugely from his energy, enthusiasm and experience. He is genuinely committed to the team/inclusive approach and shows respect to clients, solicitors and more junior colleagues.” – The Legal 500 (2021)

“Known for the quality of his expertise in difficult children work, including claims of sexual abuse, serious injuries and child fatalities….”He is very diligent and pleasant to deal with.”- Chambers & Partners (2020)

He has considerable experience in lengthy and medically complex cases and uses his technically astute and well prepared cross examinations and presentation to full effect.

Martin also has vast experience in cases involving autism, autistic spectrum disorder, abnormal illness behaviour, fragile x and fragile x pre-mutation and poisoning.

“Highly experienced in complex care cases.” – The Legal 500 (2020)

He has acted in lengthy cases of many weeks as well as being much sought after and continuously busy in the Family courts day to day.

He has appeared at all tiers of the Family Court system including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

“Highly experienced in cases involving severe child abuse.” – The Legal 500 (2019)

In recent years Martin has also been marked out as a significant presence in developing case law, championing the causes of his client to successful outcomes in the Supreme Court case of Re J (Children) [2013] UKSC and the case of Re A ( A Child) [2015] EWFC11, before the President. Both theses cases have become regular reference points for practitioners in this area of law.

In addition to the above Martin has an extremely palatable client manner being often engaged for his skills with clients, to represent misunderstood or prejudged Parties struggling in difficult cases to have their voices heard and assisting clients with learning difficulties or mental health issues. He employs a regime of team work with the solicitor and client in his cases. He is regularly retained even before issue, in order to achieve the best possible outcome. He is approachable and accessible.

“Incredibly experienced and knowledgeable.” – Chambers & Partners (2019)

Martin is a member of the chartered institute of Arbitrators following training in international arbitration adding to his already extensive skill set.

He retains his links to the American Bar Association, is a member of the Family Law Bar Association and The Leeds and District Medico Legal Society.

“Tenacious and thorough.” “A passionate and creative advocate.” “He is courteous and an effective, polished performer.” – Chambers & Partners (2018)

“He has expertise in cases involving complex medical issues.” – The Legal 500 (2017)

“He has a good eye for detail and very calm manner, which judges like.” – Chambers & Partners (2017)

Martin was born in Switzerland, and grew up in Munich, Germany. He is bilingual and has used his German in a number of cases to assist clients who have felt misunderstood or disadvantaged through language. He lived in the USA under an American Field Service scholarship after school and practised in a Chicago Law Firm under a Pegasus scholarship from the Inner Temple following his call to the Bar. He retains links to the USA and the American Bar Association.

Martin is a keen motor sports enthusiast, competing until 2007 in the then Lodge Sports 924 Porsche Challenge, but participating now only as a spectator. He is married to a local solicitor and has a young Family.

“A safe pair of hands in dealing with children cases involving a wide range of complex medical issues” – The Legal 500, 2015

Education

Martin was educated in Germany until age 11 years, then at Boothan School in York. Following a year living in the USA (attending Parkway West High School, Missouri, USA) he studied Law at Northumbria University before completing his legal training at the Inns Of Court School of Law in London and being called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in 1991. He has practised law following pupillage at York Chambers, since then.

Notable Cases

  • Re W (Adoption – Contact) [2016] EWHC 3118 (Fam)
  • Re J (Children) [2013] UKSC
  • Re A ( A Child) [2015] EWFC11
  • CL v East Riding of Yorkshire, MB and BL ( A child) [ 2006] : EWCA Civ 49
  • Re C ( A Child) v XYZ County Council [2007] : EWCA Civ 1206 [ 2008] 1 FLR 1294
  • De D 2008 : unreported Court of Appeal Case (McKenzie Friend and appeal against Care and Placement orders)
  • Re L (2011 – unreported) : contact application by father who was convicted of murdering Mother (High Court)

Contact Martin’s clerks

Claudine Cooper on 0113 202 8604

Paul Foster on 0113 213 5209

Arnela Siranovic on 0113 213 5212

Legal 500 Leading individual 2019