Dorothea Gartland KC

Court of Protection - Vulnerable Adult

International Children Law

Private Children Law

Public Children Law

Collaborative Law

Early Neutral Evaluation

Mediation

Direct Access

Dorothea specialises in the law in relation to children. Over the last few years she has continued her particular interest in cases concerning allegations of alienating behaviours and the emotional manipulation of children. She continues to be successful in re-establishing direct contact through Court intervention for children and parents where there has been no contact for several years.

In private law work, Dorothea is regularly instructed in cases involving the international and internal relocation of children and families and has experience of dealing with Hague and non-Hague jurisdictions on both temporary and permanent applications for removal from this jurisdiction.

Her practice covers all areas of legal parenthood involving adoption, surrogacy and the legal recognition of parental status.

In public law care proceedings she is instructed on behalf of Local Authorities, parents and most often on behalf of the children through their Children’s Guardian in the most serious types of care proceedings involving allegations of sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, serious injury and honour based violence. She has a continuing particular interest in questions of the Court’s jurisdiction in public law cases with an international dimension.

Dorothea sits as a Recorder on the South Eastern Circuit.

She is instructed to appear at all levels of Court and has been involved in several cases in the Supreme Court.

Private Children Law:

Dorothea specialises in the law in relation to children. Over the last few years she has continued her particular interest in cases where there are allegations of alienating behaviours and alleged emotional manipulation of children.

International Children Law:

Dorothea is regularly instructed in cases involving international and internal relocation of children and families and has experience of dealing with Hague and non-Hague jurisdictions on both temporary and permanent applications for removal from this jurisdiction.

Her practice covers all areas of legal parenthood involving adoption, surrogacy and the legal recognition of parental status including international surrogacy and adoption.

Public Children Law:

In public law care proceedings she is instructed on behalf of Local Authorities, parents and most often on behalf of the children through their Children’s Guardian in the most serious types of care proceedings involving allegations of sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, serious injury and honour based violence. She has a continuing particular interest in questions of the Court’s jurisdiction in public law cases with an international dimension.

Non-Court Dispute Resolution:

Dorothea has experience as a mediator and is a strong supporter of non-court dispute resolution.

Court of Protection:

Dorothea accepts instructions in this area and in circumstances where the court of protection and family court are both engaged.

Inquests and Inquiries:

Dorothea welcomes the opportunity to work in this area.

Publications and Training:

Provides regular training and updates to SW and to legal professionals. Please contact the clerks for further information and to discuss specific training requirements.

Cases:

Please see a selection of reported cases in which Dorothea Gartland KC was involved.

O v P & Anor (No.2) [2025] EWHC 718 (Fam)

Re J (Transgender: Puberty Blocker and Hormone Replacement Therapy) (2024) [2024] EWHC 922 (Fam)

AB (a child), Re [2024] EWHC 586 (Fam)

N (Adoption – Surrogacy), Re [2024] EWFC 41

Re G (Disclosure of Fact-Finding Judgment to Secretary of State for the Home Department) [2023] EWHC 450 (Fam)

Family Law Bar Association

Association of Lawyers for Children

Inner Temple