Gemma joined Park Square Barristers in March 2024 after moving from Parklane Plowden Chambers. She has 17 years of experience in the field of family law and practices exclusively at the Bar in private and public children matters. Gemma also sits on Circuit as a Deputy District Judge (Family: private & public and Civil) and is in addition a licensed attorney in New York.

Family — Private law children

Gemma regularly acts for parents and children in all aspects of private law proceedings and has considerable expertise in her 17 years of practice of cases involving the following:

  • High conflict / intractable contact disputes
  • Parental alienation (Gemma has extensive experience in this area and has frequently lectured on this topic), including cases involving transfer of residence;
  • Allegations of domestic abuse, including contested allegations of rape/serious sexual abuse and coercive/controlling behaviour (Gemma has significant experience in conducting lengthy finding of fact hearings)
  • International and internal relocation (Gemma has considerable expertise in cases with an international dimension)
  • Temporary removal from the jurisdiction
  • Contested applications for Specific Issue Orders (for example, as to schooling) and Prohibited Steps Orders
  • Cases necessitating expert instruction (including family/adult/child psychological instruction in complex high conflict/alienation cases)
  • Drug/alcohol abuse
  • Rule 16.4 Guardian appointments
  • Enforcement

Gemma swiftly and thoroughly identifies key issues in complex cases, with a view to achieving the best possible outcome for her clients in a timely manner, whilst at the same time striving for an outcome that will work for the entire family and avoid the need for future litigation. She is well known for her calm and empathetic disposition, practical approach, strong negotiation & drafting skills, and effective advocacy.

Family – Public law children

Gemma regularly represents Local Authorities, parents, extended family members and children in care and adoption proceedings.

Gemma has extensive experience of lengthy contested hearings and finding of fact hearings. She is frequently instructed in matters involving:

  • serious & multiple non-accidental/inflicted injuries
  • sexual abuse (Gemma was recently led by leading counsel in a lengthy, complex sexual abuse case)
  • fabricated illness
  • complex medical evidence
  • domestic abuse
  • serious neglect
  • drug/alcohol abuse
  • representation of those with significant mental health, cognitive/capacity issues, vulnerabilities or other difficulties (including deafness) – cases both with/without intermediary instruction
  • female genital mutilation
  • breakdown of adoption
  • relinquished babies
  • forced marriage
  • deprivation of liberty
  • applications for discharge of Care/Placement Orders
  • applications for leave to oppose the making of an adoption order
  • resolutions model of assessment (Gemma recently successfully secured a Resolutions assessment in a case in which adverse findings had been made against a parent).

Gemma also has a particular interest in public law matters involving an international element. She has extensive expertise in cases involving jurisdictional issues, issues of assessment overseas, liaising with foreign authorities, applications for transfer of jurisdiction, placement of children abroad and cultural considerations.

Gemma accepts instructions to conduct Early Neutral Evaluations (ENE’s) in private children disputes