Ruth Cabeza

Call: 1998

'Ruth is mesmerising and able to present a narrative to the judge which is beneficial to the client. She has the confidence of all who instruct her and her written work is amazing.'
Chambers UK Bar 2025

Ruth is a specialist family law practitioner who has been at forefront of developments in adoption and surrogacy case law, she is also an expert in the field of international abduction.

Ruth is a forceful and robust practitioner in court. Her breadth and depth of knowledge and experience across all fields of family law, enables Ruth to provide clients with a clear view on case direction and strategy, whilst also taking into account the emotional context of each case which can often provide the key to unlocking how a matter will be best progressed.

Ruth’s specialities include: international adoption, international surrogacy, international abduction, complex care cases – particularly cases involving overseas placements and/or non-accidental injury, medical treatment orders and financial remedy.

Ruth Cabeza is a part time Deemster for the Isle of Man and sits in the island’s High Court of Justice.

 

Disclaimer

Within the context of public law proceedings, Ruth is frequently instructed to advise on the relevant legal framework applicable to secure the permanent placement of children with extended family members who live outside of the jurisdiction of the court. Ruth provides clear advice in relation to the statutory and regulatory frameworks that governs the placement of a child habitually resident in England outside of the jurisdiction in respect of both adoption orders and orders under the Children Act 1989. Ruth also advises on the extent to which such English orders will be recognised and are capable of enforcement in the country of the carers habitual residence, and the extent to which mirror orders would be required to ensure that the carers are authorised to care for the children under their own domestic law once placed.

However, it is important to note that Ruth is not qualified to give expert advice in relation to the immigration law of any country (including the UK). Furthermore, while able to provide useful generalised information in relation to foreign family law, Ruth is not qualified to practice law in any other jurisdiction and does not hold herself out to be an expert in the Family Law of any jurisdiction outside of England and Wales. Accordingly, while Ruth can advise as to the necessity or otherwise of a mirror order/visa, if one is required, she cannot advise on the domestic law of the foreign state that would govern the relevant application in the foreign state.

In many cases further expert advice on the domestic law of the foreign state is not required, however in cases where expert advice on the immigration law/domestic family law of the other country is necessary, this will need to be obtained separately, and Ruth is often able to assist with experts in international family law in the other state due to her network connections with the IAFL.

 

To instruct Ruth or for more information…

Call: 020 7353 6961
Email: clerks@harcourtchambers.co.uk

Practice Areas

Ruth is regularly instructed in public law children work at both first instance and court of appeal level. Acting for local authorities, parents, guardians and intervenors, she has extensive experience in this field and is often instructed in cases that involve one or more of the following complicating factors:

  • Complications in relation habitual residence/jurisdiction
  • Proposals to achieve permanency overseas with foreign relatives
  • Disputes in relation to Article 15 Brussels IIA
  • Fatal injuries to a sibling of the subject children
  • Sexual abuse
  • Serious physical abuse (burns/fractures/head injuries/ritualistic beatings)
  • Medical treatment orders
  • Abduction of looked after children (both under and outside of Hague)
  • The profound deafness of one or both parents
  • Deprivation of Liberty
  • Children over 16
  • Forced marriage of minors
  • Suspected terrorism

 Ruth is well versed in the various international instruments that govern mutual recognition and enforcement of adoption/parental responsibility orders. As a member of IAFL she often well placed to advise on suitable experts when cases involve the law and practice of Family Law outside of England and Wales, including in relation to orders/procedures/timescales/costings for obtaining mirror orders/declarations of enforceability in other jurisdictions.

Notable Public Law Children cases


Salford City Council v W & Ors [2021] EWHC 1689 (Fam) (24 June 2021)
Salford City Council v W & Ors [2021] EWHC 61 (Fam) (19 January 2020)

Inherent jurisdiction (declaratory not children)


M (Special Guardianship Order: Leave To Apply To Discharge) (Rev 1) [2021] EWCA Civ 442
T (A Child : habitual residence) [2021] EWFC 26
A (fact finding, rib injuries), Re [2019] EWFC B89 (30 September 2019)

Care


Re A (Withdrawal of Applications) [2019] EWHC 709 (Fam)

Wardship/protection against FGM and Forced Marriage


S (A Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 249 (24 February 2017)

Care


Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children Foundation NHS Trust v NO & KK & Ors [2017] EWHC 241 (Fam) (14 February 2017)

Inherent jurisdiction children (medical treatment)


A Local Authority v J & Y [2017] EWHC 10 (Fam) (01 February 2017)

Care


Y (Children), Re [2016] EWCA Civ 1091 (08 November 2016)

Care


D (Children), Re [2015] EWCA Civ 409 (30 April 2015)

Care


Re F-T (A child) (2015) EWCA Civ 880

Care


London Borough of Tower Hamlets v D & Ors [2014] EWHC 3901 (Fam) (13 November 2014)

Care


Re C (A Child) [2014] EWCA Civ 128

Care – guidance on proceedings involving profoundly deaf parent


RO v A Local Authority & Ors [2014] EWHC 97 (Fam) (27 January 2014)

Care


D (A Child) [2012] EWHC 4231 (Fam) (14 December 2012)

Care

Ruth has acted for intended parents and guardians in surrogacy cases since 2010 and has been involved in several of the key cases where guidance has been given to the profession. She is able to give sensitive and practical advice on all aspects of obtaining a parental order. She has recently co-authored Surrogacy: Law Practice and Policy published by Lexis Nexis in 2018.

Notable Surrogacy cases


Re: Z (Surrogacy: Step-parent Adoption) [2024] EWFC 20

This is a ground-breaking case – the first of its kind in dealing with a contested application for a step-parent adoption order from a non-biological parent to secure legal parentage of a child born after a traditional surrogacy arrangement.


Re X [2020] EWFC 39 (20 May 2020)
RS v T (Surrogacy: Service, Consent and Payments) [2015] EWFC 22 (13 March 2015)
Re B v C (Surrogacy: Adoption) [2015] EWFC 17 (13 February 2015)
CC v DD [2014] EWHC 1307 (Fam) (14 February 2014)
Re C (Surrogacy: authorisation of payments other than reasonable expenses) [2013] EWHC 2408 (Fam)
Re: IJ (A Child): [2011] EWHC 921 (Fam)

Ruth is sensitive to the complexities that arise out of disputes between parents in relation to their children and seeks to get the heart of her client’s underlying concerns so that where possible workable arrangements can be successfully negotiated, and were a negotiated outcome is not possible she will vigoursly pursue her client’s case at trial.  With over 18 years experience of these cases she is familiar with a very wide range of applications, including disputes involving:

  • child arrangements orders
  • relocation cases (domestic and international)
  • Abduction (within the UK, Hague, non-Hague)
  • Inherent jurisdiction/wardship cases
  • Education
  • Change of name
  • Declarations of parentage

Notable Private Law Children cases


J & H (Jurisdiction: 1996 Hague Convention : residual domestic jurisdiction: parental responsibility jurisdiction), Re [2024] EWHC 1395 (Fam)

An application for parental responsibility in relation to two children and an order for one of the children be returned from Thailand.


V (Article 21 of the 1980 Hague Convention - fact finding), Re [2023] EWHC 2983 (Fam)

Application by the Father, who resides in Lithuania, for rights of access under Art 21. Fact-finding to consider mother’s allegations of abuse.


Re R (A Child) (Wrongful Retention: Child’s Objections: Discretionary Return) [2023] EWHC 560 (Fam)

Abduction


Re V and W (Hague Return Order, Lithuania) [2022] EWHC 739 (Fam)

Abduction


KS v MK [2015] EWHC 3276 (Fam) (29 October 2015)

Abduction

 

What the directories say

'Ruth Cabeza's passion for family justice underpins all of her work. Fearlessly committed to her instructing solicitors and clients, she works tirelessly to achieve the right outcome.' 'Ruth Cabeza is a powerful advocate who has huge amounts of gravitas.'
Chambers UK Bar 2025

‘Ruth is a straightforward advocate. Her experience speaks volumes, and she is an expert in cross-border disputes.’
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2025

"A lawyer who takes command of the court - judges listen to what she has to say as she has gravitas. She has superb intellectual ability and a wonderful knowledge of the law."
Chambers UK Bar 2024

"She provides authoritative advice that is respected by the court." "Leaves no stone unturned and works incredibly hard."
Chambers UK Bar 2024

‘Ruth has an incisive mind, and her forensic analysis is thorough and dependable.’
Legal 500 UK Bar 2024

“Ruth Cabeza is very bright and absolutely fearless.”
Chambers UK Bar 2023

Related News

We are delighted to have been involved in a shortlisted case at the LexisNexis Family Law Awards 2024

Ruth Cabeza and Mavis Amonoo-Acquah, instructed by Burgess Mee Solicitors, acted on behalf of the Applicant in (Z (Surrogacy: Step-parent Adoption), Re [2024] EWFC 20). This case has been shortlisted…

Ruth Cabeza joins the US Embassy for a round table discussion on children issues

Ruth Cabeza is delighted to be attending the US Embassy in London on 26 July 2024.

Ruth will be taking part in a round table discussion concerning children issues…

Ruth Cabeza in J & H (Jurisdiction: 1996 Hague Convention : residual domestic jurisdiction: parental responsibility jurisdiction), Re [2024] EWHC 1395 (Fam) 

Ruth Cabeza was instructed by Carolina Marín Pedreño, Dawson Cornwell on behalf of the Applicant father in J & H (Jurisdiction: 1996 Hague Convention : residual domestic jurisdiction: parental responsibility jurisdiction),…

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