Our work covers all areas of family law, with particular expertise in the following areas:
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
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.
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.
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:
Alleged wrongful retention of two children by their mother, in England. Father sought their summary return to Israel under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
This case concerned a four-year-old child, R, conceived by donor sperm and raised by two women, with the non-biological parent seeking contact after the child was taken to Ireland in 2021. As R’s habitual residence shifted during the protracted litigation, the English court ultimately lost jurisdiction under the 1996 Hague Convention, and the matter was concluded with proceedings to be continued in Ireland.
Father’s application seeking contact in Europe and the USA, where he lives, in case where Mother had previously abducted the child but Father’s return application had been refused. Contact allowed, subject to $25K bond.
An application for parental responsibility in relation to two children and an order for one of the children be returned from Thailand.
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
Ruth is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public under the Direct Access Scheme in appropriate circumstances.
'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
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