Career
Gemma specialises in Children Act 1989 proceedings, with her main interest in care proceedings. She is regularly instructed on behalf of parents, interveners and children in complex care proceedings where there are serious allegations involving suspected non accidental injury or sexual abuse. She is particularly experienced in long running fact finding hearings. She regularly represents adults with learning disabilities some of whom have required the Official Solicitor and assistance by way of an intermediary. Gemma is also experienced in contested adoption proceedings. She also undertakes complex private law work with cases involving serious allegations or suggestions of implacable hostility and parental alienation. Gemma has regularly appeared in the Higher Courts. Reported cases include: Re H (Child) [2003] EWCA Civ 369, LM (By her Guardian) v Medway Council, RM and YM [2007]1FLR 1698, Re K (Care Proceedings: Fact Finding) [2011] 2 FLR 199 [2011] 2 FLR 199 and H (Children) (Sexual abuse: fact-finding) [2011] All ER (D) 69 (May).