Band 4
Provided by Olivia Magennis
Olivia specialises in all aspects of family law as it relates to children.
In the private law field Olivia has extensive experience of complex child arrangements disputes involving implacable hostility/parental alienation, allegations of physical/emotional/sexual abuse, leave to remove applications and cases requiring the separate representation of children.
In the public law field, Olivia represents Local Authorities, parents, extended family members, foster carers, and children at all stages of care and adoption proceedings. Olivia has particular experience in cases involving complex and disputed medical evidence and serious allegations of physical, sexual or emotional harm. Olivia has considerable experience of the application of human rights law to children law cases, in particular claims for declarations and/or damages made against Local Authorities.
Olivia is increasingly instructed in cases involving children born through surrogacy arrangements; she has appeared in the High Court and Court of Appeal in such cases, including applications for parental orders, declarations of parentage and private law disputes arising out of surrogacy arrangements.
• BA Hons, Law, Christ's College, Cambridge University
• BVC, Inns of Court School of Law (2004)
• MA, Cantab (2007)
• Bilingual Summer School in International Criminal Law, Leiden University,
Netherlands (2008)
• 2015: Recorder (Crime)
• 2021: Recorder (Family)
• 2021: MCIArb
Awards
• South-Eastern Circuit Advocacy Scholarship, Levin College of Law, University of Florida, US (2009)
• Pegasus Scholarship: Washington DC, USA (2010)
• Family Law Bar Association
• Family Law Bar Association Committee Member (2014-2018)
• Association of Lawyers for Children
• Resolution
• South Eastern Circuit
• Midland Circuit
Provided by Chambers
Olivia Magennis handles a range of complex public and private children law matters. She has significant experience acting in parental order issues, declarations of parentage and abductions at all levels of court including the Court of Appeal. Her work often involves international elements. She is also a qualified arbitrator.
Provided by Chambers
Her cross-examination is a masterclass to behold.
She is utterly committed to the client and the case, giving it her all. She is so good at managing difficult cases and is always 100% on board with the client.
Olivia is an excellent advocate, who turns around cases with the strength of her submissions.
Her cross-examination is a masterclass to behold.
She is utterly committed to the client and the case, giving it her all. She is so good at managing difficult cases and is always 100% on board with the client.
Olivia is an excellent advocate, who turns around cases with the strength of her submissions.
