JUNIOR PROFILE
Gemma Kelly

Gemma Kelly

UK Bar 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by 1GC|Family Law

UK Bar

Practice Areas

Gemma is a specialist Children practitioner. She has a flourishing care and adoption practice and is frequently instructed in complex cases up to Court of Appeal level.

Recent cases have involved radicalisation, NAI (brain injuries, multiple fractures, burns and bruises) intergenerational sexual abuse, FII, murder by one parent of the other and human rights claims.

She has also been prestigiously appointed by the Attorney General as a special advocate.

Gemma has expertise in cases involving an international element, including Forced Marriage, Child Abduction and Relocation.

In private law proceedings, Gemma is instructed in the full range of applications, including difficult cases of implacable hostility, internal relocation, interplay with care proceedings, special guardianship and fact-finding hearings regarding domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse.

Gemma has a keen interest in cases involving alternative families.

Career

MA (Hons) English, St Anne’s College, Oxford University.

GDL and BVC, BPP Law School.

Inner Temple Scholarship.

Called to the Bar: 2007.

Recorder on the South Eastern Circuit to sit in Family matters: 2022.

Professional Memberships

FLBA, ALC, Resolution, Bar Pro-Bono Unit.

Publications

Re C [2019] EWHC 1782, Re A [2018] EWCA Civ 1718, Re L [2017] EWHC 3707, Re W [2016] EWCA Civ 1140; Re J [2017] EWCA Civ 398, Re N [2016] EWHC 3085.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Family: Children - London (Bar)

Band 2
Band 2

Individual Editorial

Gemma Kelly has a strong reputation for her handling of a wide range of children work. Her experience includes cases concerning allegations of sexual abuse and fictitious illness. She has notable experience in high-profile matters before the High Court.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Gemma is fantastic to work with. She is calm under pressure and offers sensible, insightful advice in even the most complex matters.

    Family: ChildrenUK Bar
  • Gemma is a really dependable barrister. She is always prepared, and provides sound advice and strong representation for clients.

    Family: ChildrenUK Bar
  • She's extremely academic, but also has a strong warmth to her. She is able to translate that strong academic mastery of the law to a case and also apply a human touch.

    Family: ChildrenUK Bar
  • Gemma's sensitivity in dealing with extremely vulnerable parents is remarkable. She has the ability to dictate the shape of the case through the force of her clear and persuasive advocacy.

    Family: ChildrenUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 1GC|Family Law (59)

All Circuits

London (Bar)

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