Our work covers all areas of family law, with particular expertise in the following areas:
Call: 1998
'Ruth is exceptional on complex surrogacy and private adoption matters, specifically those with an international element.'
Chambers UK Bar 2026
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.
Application by local authority to transfer public law care proceedings to Romania.
Child placed for adoption by parents. Judgment making child arrangements order in favour of child’s paternal grandmother in Kazakhstan.
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:
An application by a British couple for permission to apply for an adoption order in respect of a child adopted in Malawi.
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:
Application by father for return of children to the USA. Mother’s grave risk of harm defence made out, and return refused.
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.
'She has a truly unique ability to breakdown the most complex legislation and concepts into digestible chunks for the clients. She is a go-to barrister for international work.'
'She can own a courtroom and her written work is also of a very high standard.'
'She's well respected by the bench and calmly effective at navigating your clients through complex adoption cases.'
'A counsel that everyone wants to have on their side. She doesn't leave any stone unturned.'
Chambers UK Bar 2026
'Ruth is a standout advocate in the field of family law, widely recognised for her exceptional command of complex international children matters.'
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026
'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 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
Ruth Cabeza recently joined a distinguished panel of family law specialists for a webinar examining the use of expert evidence in international child abduction proceedings. Hosted by 4PB and the Child…
Ruth Cabeza recently spoke at the Across Borders Alliance of Lawyers (ABAL) Conference, held at Shutters on the Beach, Santa Monica, California.
Ruth delivered a joint presentation, with Mike Horton…
Ruth Cabeza was instructed by Rayden Solicitors for the successful Applicants in G & Anor v An Adoption Agency & Anor [2026] EWFC 29; a case which sits at the intersection…