Our work covers all areas of family law, with particular expertise in the following areas:
Call: 1998
"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
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
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:
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.
Inherent jurisdiction (declaratory not children)
Care
Wardship/protection against FGM and Forced Marriage
Care
Inherent jurisdiction children (medical treatment)
Care
Care
Care
Care
Care
Care – guidance on proceedings involving profoundly deaf parent
Care
Care
Ruth is frequently instructed to advise and act in relation to matters concerning adoption including:
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.
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:
Application by the Father, who resides in Lithuania, for rights of access under Art 21. Fact-finding to consider mother’s allegations of abuse.
Abduction
Abduction
Abduction
"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
“She has a way of cutting through what can be very emotive and emotionally difficult cases and focusing in on what's most important.”
Chambers UK Bar 2023
‘Ruth has an encyclopedic knowledge of adoption law and an extremely impressive advocate with a great bedside manner. She is a real star in the field of adoption.’
Legal 500 UK Bar 2023
"A font of all knowledge regarding adoption law, solicitors absolute faith in her representation of their clients."
Legal 500 UK Bar 2022
Ruth Cabeza instructed by Dawson Cornwell to represent the Mother in a Fact Finding hearing. The application by the Father, who resides in Lithuania, for rights of access under Art…
We are delighted to announce that Aidan Vine KC has won the Family Law KC of the Year Award at this year’s LexisNexis Family Law awards, for being an outstanding advocate…
Harcourt Chambers and five of our members have been shortlisted in the following seven categories:
Family Law Chambers of the Year – London
Children Law Team of the Year
Family…