Our work covers all areas of family law, with particular expertise in the following areas:
Call: 2012
‘Martha is a fantastic advocate. She is clear, precise and persuasive in court, and she makes complex points seem straightforward.’
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026
Martha Gray is a specialist children law barrister with particular expertise in both international and complex public law cases. Her international work includes child abduction — often those with complex factual or jurisdictional issues — stranded spouses, and leave to remove. She also acts in serious multi-party public law proceedings involving allegations of physical, sexual and emotional harm.
She has appeared in numerous reported judgments and frequently appears in the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Known for her clear, precise and persuasive advocacy and for making complex points seem straightforward, she is a trusted advocate in legally and factually demanding cases. In 2024, she was shortlisted for International Family Lawyer of the Year in recognition of her work in cross-border family law. Her practice also extends to the Court of Protection, and she contributes to the Court of Protection Practice and the Court of Protection Law Reports. She is an advocacy trainer for Middle Temple and serves on the Bar Council’s Ethics Committee and Climate Crisis Working Group.
To instruct Martha or for more information…
Call: 020 7353 6961
Email: clerks@harcourtchambers.co.uk
Martha has extensive experience of complex public children work including cases of non-accidental injury and human rights claims. She has particular skill in cases involving incapacitated or learning disabled parents.
A highly unusual case where a child had been “gifted” at birth by one couple to another, and the truth of his parentage had been concealed from him. The court considered whether to make an adoption order, given the profound complexities surrounding the child’s identity and welfare.
Care proceedings. Hearing to determine whether there should be a fact finding with respect to allegations made by the mother against the former allocated social worker.
Represented First Respondent Mother in appeal by local authority against refusal of application for a placement order in respect of a child, who is aged rising three. Appeal dismissed.
A case concerning the extent of any legal obligation under the Vienna Convention to notify foreign consular authorities of an application for an adoption order in relinquished babies cases with a view to identifying the birth father and/or wider family.
Care proceedings involving parents and children with learning disabilities.
Care proceedings in a case of long-running and chronic neglect.
Complex fact finding in a case involving the death of a young child.
A high profile case in which the father had murdered the mother and disclosure of DNA profiles taken from the crime scene was sought in order to establish the children’s paternity.
Martha has extensive experience within the private law field including cases involving relocation, surrogacy and assisted reproduction and mental health issues.
A large part of Martha’s practice involves cases with an international element. She is currently instructed in a high profile case concerning two missing children which has attracted national media attention. She is regularly instructed in international abduction, forced marriage and stranded spouse cases in the High Court. Martha also has experience of international public law cases involving such issues as radicalisation, sex trafficking, international adoption and the placement of children abroad.
Application by father for summary return of seven year old to England and Wales.
Application by father for summary return of 9 year-old child to Romania.
Hague 1980 case concerning the wrongful removal of a child from Ukraine in which Martha was successful in achieving the return of the child to Ukraine.
Application for a return order under the inherent jurisdiction in respect of a two year old who had been been removed to Jordan.
Application by F for permission to withdraw application for summary return of 2 children to Ukraine, M and children having fled following Russian invasion.
An article on this case appeared in The Law Society Gazette.
Mother’s application for a stay of an order for the summary return of child to Romania, pending determination of an appeal in Romanian court.
Application by F for return of child to Romania. Return ordered, unless M obtained permission from the Romanian court to remain in the UK, by 24 February.
A case concerning the extent of any legal obligation under the Vienna Convention to notify foreign consular authorities of an application for an adoption order in relinquished babies cases with a view to identifying the birth father and/or wider family.
Complex international care proceedings concerning the appropriate legal framework for the placement of a child with family members in Bangladesh.
Public law proceedings in which the court was invited to make findings of international child trafficking.
Highly unusual factfinding in a child abduction case involving children declared missing, which led to the making of summary return orders under the court’s inherent jurisdiction and publicity orders.
Court of Protection and Medical Treatment
Much of Martha’s work is at the interface between family and Court of Protection jurisdictions including applications under the inherent jurisdiction, medical treatment cases and cross-border issues. Her Court of Protection practice is focussed exclusively on health and welfare disputes concerning vulnerable and incapacitated adults. She has experience of a wide range of cases involving disputes regarding residence, care, contact, deprivation of liberty and serious medical treatment including end of life care. Martha regularly speaks at conferences and seminars and writes widely in the field, editing and contributing to the Court of Protection Law Reports and other publications. First editing and contributing to the Court of Protection Law Reports and more recently being appointed as contributor to the Court of Protection Practice (the “bible” of Court of Protection law).
Application by Trust seeking a declaration that it is no longer in AH’s best interests to receive ventilatory support and treatment. A previous judgment in this case had been set aside by the Court of Appeal for procedural reasons.
Martha is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public under the Direct Access Scheme in appropriate circumstances.
'Martha is very good with clients and has a good eye for detail and preparation.'
'She is a very safe pair of hands and is developing into a fantastic tactician.'
Chambers UK Bar 2026
'Martha is great with vulnerable clients and combines this with excellent technical knowledge and strong oral advocacy.'
Chambers UK Bar 2026
‘Martha's written material is very strong and frequently replicated by the judge in judgments. She is also very solid on her feet and doesn't feel intimidated when the case takes different and unexpected turns.'
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026
‘Martha is always on top of the facts. She is an exceptional advocate.’
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2025
'Martha is a calm yet persuasive advocate. She is exceptional on her feet and has command of the courtroom. She is excellent for care proceedings. Her written work is exemplary, as is her client care.'
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2024
'Martha has a fantastic manner with difficult clients and is tenacious in court on their behalf.'
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2024
In C (1980 Hague Convention: Child Objections) [2024] EWHC 1875 (Fam) the mother opposed a return order on the basis that the parties’ nine year old daughter had expressed an…
Martha Gray, instructed by Russell Cooke Solicitors, represented the applicant father in Re A (Article 13b, Ukraine) a child abduction case concerning the wrongful removal of a child from Ukraine…
Nick Goodwin KC was instructed by the Applicant Local Authority and Martha Gray was instructed by Dawson Cornwell in Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea v NM & Ors [2024] EWFC…