Laura Morley

‘Laura specialises in complex private law children cases but is equally at ease with financial remedy matters, so she really is the complete package.  She is an advocate who is quick on her feet and reads the room to secure the best outcomes.  She effortlessly makes clients feel at ease and gives them clear and practical advice.  Laura is a pleasure to work with.’
Katie Longmate – Partner at Russell Cooke

Experience

Year of Call: 2006

Education

BSc Psychology, Leicester University
Graduate Diploma in Law, BBP Law School
Bar Vocational Course, BBP Law School

Qualified Collaborative Lawyer

Profile

Laura specialises in all areas of private law children, representing both parents and children through their Guardians. She is passionate about this area of law and strives to achieve the best outcome for her clients.

This year, Laura was instructed on behalf of the father and led by Charles Hale KC in the Court of Appeal in a complex family case involving non-disclosure in the case of Re T (Children: non-disclosure) [2024] EWCA civ 241.

In addition to children work, Laura also represents clients in complex financial disputes, acting on behalf of married, civil partnered and unmarried parties in divorce, dissolution and separation cases, as well as disputes concerning financial provision for the children of unmarried parents (Schedule 1).

Laura has a strong interest and growing practice in advising and representing clients on the law relating to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (surrogacy, parental order applications and fertility treatment). She regularly writes articles and lectures on the subject.

Laura lectures in all areas of family law. Having spoken at the Resolution Conference in both 2021 and 2022, she also regularly speaks at smaller seminars at solicitors’ firms. Laura also writes articles for various family law publications including 4PB’s Children Law quarterly update and Family Law Week.

Clients frequently praise Laura’s refreshingly calm, approachable, reassuring and down-to-earth manner, particularly her empathy as she frequently supports clients through a difficult process.

Laura’s attention to detail and fearless advocacy is both persuasive and robust and her focus from the outset is to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients.

Laura is also trained in collaborative law and is committed to making non-court-based dispute resolution work where the circumstances are appropriate.

Away from work, Laura has three children of her own. She enjoys pottery and keeping fit, especially playing tennis both recreationally and competitively as much as possible.

Laura was recently ranked in the Legal 500.


Private Children Law

Laura specialises in private law children cases, representing parents and guardians in disputes both domestically and internationally. Often instructed in complex international children law cases, and cross-jurisdictional issues.

Laura appeared in the High Court in the high profile wrongful retention case of Cambra v Jones [2014] EWHC 2264 (Fam). She has also represented parents in many relocation cases, both internally and externally.

She is repeatedly instructed in difficult children matters, often involving serious allegations of sexual and domestic abuse, parental alienation, as well as intractable cases and those with a long history of repeat litigation.

She is widely recognised for her technical expertise, advocacy skills and crucially her ability to steer a path through complicated and contentious disputes.

Family Finance

Laura regularly represents clients in complex financial disputes, acting on behalf of married, civil partnered and unmarried parties in divorce, dissolution and separation cases, as well as disputes concerning financial provision for the children of unmarried parents.

For clients who are seeking to resolve both their children and financial disputes, Laura represents an excellent ‘all round’ option with her ability to provide her clients with advice and representation in both areas, allowing them to receive continuity and consistency of advice.

Non-court dispute resolution

In addition to court-based work, Laura is increasingly instructed on behalf of parties who wish to resolve issues outside of the court arena, representing parties at private FDRs/early neutral evaluations, arbitrations and for round table meetings.

Professional Memberships

Family Law Bar Association
Middle Temple

Testimonials

‘Laura specialises in complex private law children cases but is equally at ease with financial remedy matters, so she really is the complete package.  She is an advocate who is quick on her feet and reads the room to secure the best outcomes.  She effortlessly makes clients feel at ease and gives them clear and practical advice.  Laura is a pleasure to work with.’
Katie Longmate – Partner at Russell Cooke

Directories

‘Laura is a persuasive advocate and a go-to for cases with a mix of complex issues.’
Legal 500, 2025