Our work covers all areas of family law, with particular expertise in the following areas:
Call: 2013
‘Rob is a true superstar, always engaged and a sharp advocate.’
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2025
“International Family Lawyer of the Year” – LexisNexis Family Law Awards 2021
“Family Case of the Year” – LexisNexis Family Law Awards 2021
Rob is a leading expert on international family law, particularly in relation to relocation disputes, child abduction, jurisdiction, and international and domestic surrogacy cases. He has published numerous books and papers on these subjects, and been involved with many of the leading cases in related areas.
Rob undertakes hearings at all levels of the Family Court and in the High Court, as well as appeals to the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. He brings a calm and thoughtful manner to his advocacy, developing complex arguments in an intelligible manner, and always going the extra mile with client care.
Alongside his practice at Harcourt Chambers, Rob holds the position of Professor of Law and Policy at University College London, teaching family law and children’s rights, as well as conducting research into the family justice system. Rob’s internationally acknowledged academic expertise in family law issues allows him to bring real depth to his advice and advocacy work.
Rob has been appointed as Special Advisor to the House of Lords Committee on the Children and Families Act 2014. Rob’s academic and practice expertise will be used to assist the Committee, which is reviewing the operation of the Act.
To instruct Rob or for more information…
Call: 020 7353 6961
Email: clerks@harcourtchambers.co.uk
Rob is a highly regarded expert on international children law, with most of his practice involving an international element. His knowledge and experience in this area includes Hague and non-Hague child abduction, jurisdictional disputes, and international enforcement of orders. His practice in international children law often takes Rob to the Court of Appeal and to the Supreme Court, and his expertise is recognised by his long-time membership of the International Family Justice Committee.
Rob has a particular specialism in relocation disputes, both international and internal. Having written his doctorate and two further books on relocation disputes, Rob is an undisputed expert in this area. He often represents parents in relocation cases at all levels of the Family Court, and is experienced in bringing and defending appeals. Rob also does frequent advice work on relocation, prior to final hearings and for appeals.
Application by father for summary return of 13 year-old child to Lithuania.
Successfully secured the return of a young child from Zambia, over 18 months after she was retained there by her mother.
Appeal by child against return order, raising issue as to role of a “solicitor-guardian” in 1980 Convention proceedings.
Rob George represent two children in this re-hearing of a 1980 Hague Convention case. The parents originally agreed to the separation of the children, with one remaining and the other returning under the Convention. The children objected to this proposal and the court set aside that order. At the re-hearing, Rob successfully established exceptions to allow both children to remain in this country, including child’s objections and a grave risk of harm in relation to sibling separation. The case shows the importance of listening to children and the potential role of children themselves in Hague Convention proceedings.
Successfully appealed a decision of the High Court concerning the jurisdiction of the courts in relation to a child wrongfully retained in Zambia. The case provides important clarification about habitual residence and the need to avoid over-simplification of the test, while also making clear for the purposes of the Family Law Act 1986 that it is the substance of the orders sought, not the form of the application, that matters. The case has been remitted for re-hearing on the issue of habitual residence at the date of the application.
Successful application before Francis J to set aside a return order from Poland.
An application under the Hague Convention 1980.
Application before Cobb J on behalf of two children to have an order rescinded under s 31F(6).
Rob undertakes a full range of private law children cases, including residence, contact, education and medical disputes, and has particular expertise in unusual and complex matters. Rob has experience in surrogacy law and cases about parentage and parental responsibility, as well as more niche and sensitive issues such as disputes about withdrawal of medical treatment and the disposal of a child’s body after death.
Appeal by former wife of biological mother from declaration that biological father is child’s legal parent, rather than her.
Rob acting pro bono represented the applicant step-father.
The law on step-parent adoption has been changed by this ground-breaking judgement from the President of the Family Division.
Rob successfully argued that the court should use the Human Rights Act 1998 to modify provisions of the Adoption and Children Act 2002, to allow a step-parent adoption to be made in a case where the child’s natural parent had died before the application was made.
The President accepted Rob’s argument and s51(2) of the Act has been amended accordingly.
Rob George was one of three counsel representing children’s rights charity Article 39 in this ground-breaking case about the scope of wardship and the inherent jurisdiction. The case concerned a number of ‘missing’ unaccompanied asylum-seeking (UAS) children, who disappeared from Home Office-run hotel accommodation. While the court ultimately declined to use its wardship jurisdiction, the case shows that a charity can make such an application, and brought into the open a large amount of previously unknown information about the Home Office’s involvement with these cases and the responsibilities of local authorities in safeguarding UAS children.
Supreme Court appeal about the use of the inherent jurisdiction to authorise secure accommodation for vulnerable children.
Order of Judd J authorising a local authority to proceed with an adoption favoured by the parents without first assessing the paternal grandmother as a potential carer.
Court of Protection and Medical Treatment
Rob is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public in appropriate cases, and welcomes enquiries about such matters at all stages of proceedings, including appeals.
"Throughout my interactions with him his client care skills have been nothing short of exceptional, and I have been continuously reassured of his commitment to providing me with the best service possible. In terms of written documentation, his output has always been comprehensive, persuasive and well-researched. He has an excellent ability to communicate complex legal arguments in a clear and concise manner, which clearly appeals to both legal professionals and laypeople. Perhaps most importantly, he leaves his clients feeling they are being heard and that their cases are being argued to the fullest."
Chambers UK Bar 2024
"Rob George knows every nuance of your case and the law."
"His client care is very strong - he likes to do a good job and works hard."
Chambers UK Bar 2024
‘Rob has extensive knowledge of all aspects of children's law, including complex proceedings. He is superb at technically detailed cases and those with complex jurisdictional issues. He has a calm, charming manner, is ferociously bright and is a great strategist. He is diligent, unflappable, precise, clear and effective.’
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2024
“His previous experience as an academic in international children law really helps when there are complex areas of law. He's very good with clients and is accessible and responsive.”
Chambers UK Bar 2023
“Rob George has encyclopaedic knowledge of international work.”
Chambers UK Bar 2023
'Rob is a calm and thoughtful advocate with a kind and warm manner with clients. His niche is that he combines academic rigor with advocacy, and he is bright and enthusiastic.’
Legal 500 UK Bar 2023
Professor Rob George, instructed by Obaseki Solicitors, led Karen Kabweru-Namulemu (1GC) acting for the appellant in the Court of Appeal in P v Q and F (Child: Legal Parentage) [2024] EWCA Civ…
Join Rob at the Cavendish Conference Centre on October 24th for Family Law Week’s Public & Private Children Law Conference 2024.
The conference boasts an impressive line-up of speakers who…
Emily Rayner represented the Applicant father and Rob George led Henry Pritchard, of 1 Hare Court, representing the Respondent mother in A Father v A Mother [2024] EWHC 1149 (Fam); an application…