Max Konarek

Practice Areas

I am a Partner and Joint Head of Family and Childcare at GTS, specialising in complex child protection and family law.

I support individuals often underrepresented in the legal system, including those who are neurodivergent, have learning difficulties / disabilities, or come from travelling and Roma communities. My goal is to make the legal process as accessible and clear as possible for all my clients.

I focus on representing clients facing serious allegations in family court, including:

🔸 The death of a child

🔸 Non-accidental injuries (NAI), including head injuries (NAHI), fractures, and bruising

🔸 Shaken baby allegations

🔸 Genetic disorders mimicking child abuse

🔸 Emerging medical diagnoses, such as PANS and PANDAS

🔸 Sexual abuse, including cases involving paedophile rings

🔸 Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII), Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS), and Perplexing Presentations (PP)

🔸 Re-opening previous fact-finding or final hearing decisions with adverse findings against my clients

At GT Stewart, I regularly collaborate with leading King's Counsel and medical experts to challenge evidence in cases involving non-accidental injuries or serious abuse allegations.

Recent Case Highlights

⭐ Successful outcome in an NAI case resulting in immediate return of the child and the client exonerated

⭐ Successful application to re-open a Fact Finding Hearing in a NAI case

⭐ Successful outcome representing a client through the Official Solicitor, where no NAI findings were made

⭐ Successful outcome in a case of sexual abuse against an Intervener who was exonerated

For details and more case examples, visit: gtstewart.co.uk/news/

I represent clients across the UK, providing compassionate, clear legal advice. If you need help with complex child protection or family law matters, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Career

I joined GT Stewart Solicitors from a well-respected Legal 500 firm in October 2022 as Partner and Joint Head of the Family and Childcare Department. I am an experienced Child Protection Solicitor and have been accredited on the Law Society’s Children Panel [a recognised quality standard for practitioners representing children in children law proceedings] since October 2015.

I have also been consistently recognised in legal directories for a number of years both personally and the departments I have headed up:

Personal:

⭐️ Chambers & Partners - Individual Ranking: Band 3 - Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters (UK-wide)

⭐️ Chambers & Partners - Individual Ranking: “Up and Coming Partner” 2023 & 2024

⭐️ Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer - 2024 & 2025

🏆 Excellence in Leadership Award - Kent Law Society - Finalist: 2025

🏆 Legal Hero Award - Kent Law Society - Finalist: 2025

Department:

⭐️ 2025 - Chambers & Partners: Department Ranking - Band 3 - Family/Children Law: Public Law Matters (UK-wide)

⭐️2025 - Legal 500; Department Ranking - Leading Firm (Tier 3 Ranking in Family Law)

⭐️ 2025 - The Times - Department Ranking - Best Law Firm: Family Law

⭐️2024 - Department Ranking - Legal 500 Firms to Watch in Family Law

Professional Memberships

Law Society Children Panel Accreditation

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) - Affiliate Member

RCPCH number: 300837

Member of Neurodiversity In Law

Member of Kent Law Society

Publications

https://gtstewart.co.uk/our-people/max-konarek/

Work Highlights

6 May 2022: A Local Authority v Mother & Ors [2022] EWHC 2793 (Fam)

21 September 2021: Kent County Council v C & Ors [2021] EWFC 122

23 July 2021: A (A Child) (Fact-Finding Modern Slavery) [2021] EWFC 79

21 July 2020: B-T (A Child) – UKSC 2020/0134

3 June 2020: B-T (A Child: Threshold Conditions) [2020] EWCA Civ 697

19 November 2019: Re N (A Child) [2019] EWCA Civ 1997

18 October 2018: Z v Kent County Council (Revocation of placement order – Failure to assess Mother’s capacity and Grandparents) [2018] EWFC B65 (18 October 2018)

20 March 2018: Kent County Council v C & Ors [2018] EWFC B28 (20 March 2018)

18 July 2017: Kent County Council v Z (Family Assistance Order or Supervision Order) [2017] EWFC B63

17 July 2017: A & Ors (Progress by adults with large family over 12 months. Finely balanced departure from experts opinions) [2017] EWFC B95

1 March 2017: Kent County Council v A,B,C and D (children) (Weight to be attached to evidence of child after flawed ABE interviews) [2017] EWFC B72

28 July 2016: Kent County Council v C and D and A and B (Jurisdiction: Article 20)– [2016] EWFC 73 (Fam)

25 May 2016: Kent County Council v C and D and A and B – [2016] EWFC 72 (Fam)

13 May 2016: Kent County Council v M and K (section 20: declaration and damages) [2016] EWFC 28 (Fam)

22 March 2013: N v B & Others [2013] EWHC 820 (Fam)

1 February 2103: LA v DG & Others [2013] EWHC 734 (Fam)

Clients

Client reviews:

“I started off with Max and Allison helping me the whole way and the help they have both given me along with the barristers was amazing, everything went as planned and all my questions answered. Couldn’t thank them enough for all the help and support through this past year!”

“Very quick to reply to questions. Felt confident in court with their representation of us. Very thorough with information and presentation.”

“I approached Max Konarek on recommendation to advise on a longstanding matter which unfortunately necessitated family court hearings to agree contact arrangements. From our initial consultation meeting, Mr Konarek exercised impeccable legal judgement, providing timely and measured legal advice. Given a number of sensitivities, Max was superb throughout proceedings, advising with clarity,” keeping me fully abreast of developments, all the while remaining accessible, responsive and managing somewhat tenacious counsel for the other side – this across a number of hearings spanning almost two years. I cannot recommend Max highly enough in matters pertaining to family law & child protection, and would not hesitate to call him again should I, or any of my close contacts require representation, particularly across complex cases.

“My solicitor is a very good lawyer. He has very good communication skills, and helped me understand everything that was going on. He researched everything. He is a people person and is not judgmental. Great! We won the case, even if it was difficult.”

“Max Konarek delivered on his promise. He acted with integrity and in a professional manner. We would recommend him without any reservations.”

Family Law with Max: “Max was clear, kind, helpful, straightforward and clearly knew his stuff and he updated us throughout the duration and it felt like he took on board concerns and suggestions and that was helpful. It was a very upsetting time and his kind calm understanding manner really helped. I would recommend him and his team wholeheartedly. He gave us confidence at a very bleak time. Thank you.”