UK Bar
Practice Areas
Maria practices exclusively in family law.
Maria is professional but known for her empathetic approach to clients, bringing to court proceedings the “human touch”.
Recognised in Chambers & Partners, The L500 and Spears.'
Career
Maria is a former Research Scientist before she transitioned to the Bar in 1995. She received the David Karmel Award (1994) and the Sir Raymond Phillips MD Award (1995). In 2010 the Bar Council awarded Maria the 14th Annual Sydney Elland Goldsmith Award for services to the Bar in recognition of her pro bono work.
Reported Cases:
*Brisset v Brisset [2009] EWCA Civ 314
*Brisset v Brisset [2009] EWCA Civ 679
*Re A (a child) (supervised contact) (s.91(14) Children Act 1989 orders) [2021] EWCA Civ 1749
*Re T (Abduction: Protective Measures: Agreement to Return) [2023] EWCA Civ 1415
*T(a Child)(s.9(6) Children Act 1989 orders: Exceptional Circumstances: Parental Alienation) [2024] EWHC 59 (Fam)
*T (a Child)(No.2)(Transparency: Publication of the Party’s Names) [2024] EWHC 161 (Fam)
*T v G [2024] EWHC 246 (Fam)
*R & Y (Children) (Domestic Abuse: Welfare Hearing: Return to UAE) [2024] EWHC 1987 (Fam)
Professional Memberships
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Publications
Divorcing in Dubai: Should wealthy Expats worry about new UAE family laws? Spears article
LexisNexis recent articles:
*Re A (a child) (supervised contact) (s.91(14) Children Act 1989 orders) [2021] EWCA Civ 1749, 1/12/21.
*The proper approach on an application to set aside a grant of leave under Matrimonial & Family Proceedings Act,*Part III (Potanin v Potanin), 28/6/21.
*Can Covid-19 be a Barder Event? (HW v WW), 20/5/21.
