Practice Areas
Dispute Resolution
Direct Access
‘Mark’s style of advocacy has the ear of Judges and his in-depth knowledge of the most complex aspects of international law shines through.’
Chambers & Partners 2025
‘Mark is a formidable advocate whose preparation and knowledge in this specialist area of law are second to none. He is always well prepared and has excellent client care skills.’
Legal 500, 2025
Experience
Year of Call: 1989
Year of Silk: 2023
Education
LLB (Hons)
Languages
French
Profile
Mark is a dedicated family advocate whose practice encompasses all aspects of family law. His easy approach, robust advocacy and user friendly demeanour make him a popular choice with solicitors.
Children
Mark regularly represents local authorities, parents and guardians in public law proceedings across all tiers of Court. Such cases involve non accidental injury including ‘baby shaking’ cases, infant death, sexual and physical abuse as well as neglect cases. In private law cases, Mark represents parents in relation to residence applications, including shared residence, contact and specific issue.
International Movement of Children
Mark regularly appears in the High Court representing parents in cases of Child Abduction, (both Hague and non Hague cases), Inherent Jurisdiction, Wardship, Brussels II and International Relocation of Children.
Divorce
Within the breakdown of marriage, Mark represents husbands and wives in ancillary relief cases, including “big money” cases, financial provision for children and CSA appeals. Increasingly Mark is instructed in cases where the court’s jurisdiction is questioned and the issue of “Forum Conveniens” has to be determined. Additionally Mark has appeared in the Care Standards Tribunal in an appeal against the incorporation of a social worker on the POCA list.
Interests
Mark’s interests include sailing, skiing and squash.
Professional Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
Inner Temple
Affiliate Member of Resolution
Directories
“Mark’s style of advocacy has the ear of Judges and his in-depth knowledge of the most complex aspects of international law shines through.”
“He attacks the most complex of cases with ease.”
“An unflappable and considered advocate who gives sound and strategic advice.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
‘Mark is a formidable advocate whose preparation and knowledge in this specialist area of law are second to none. He is always well prepared and has excellent client care skills.’
Legal 500, 2025
“Super pragmatic and doesn’t take silly points. Very focused on the right issues, he knows where the strengths of his cases lie and he exploits those strengths to the max. He is clever, strategic and forceful.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024
‘Mark is straightforward to deal with, gives thoughtful and considered advice that has been strategically very sound and is an excellent advocate. He does not shy away from addressing difficult issues but can present them to the court in a way that makes it clear the solution he puts forward is the obvious route for the judge to follow. He has an excellent legal brain and an exceptional knowledge of international matters. His preparation and organisation are meticulous.’
Legal 500, 2024
“Mark Jarman is a very strong advocate, who mixes fierce cross-examination with clear explanations for clients, inspiring their confidence throughout.”
“Mark offers an exceptional level of knowledge, commitment and expertise.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
‘Mark has a very calm and knowledgeable presence both in and outside court. He is helpful, responsive and strategic in his approach.’
Legal 500, 2023
“A real grafter who presents clear arguments and is frequently before the High Court on international children matters.” “He commands the respect of the court and is realistic in his approach. Mark advances his client’s case in cross-examination in a way that makes it sound easy.” “He sets realistic expectations but remains sympathetic to his clients. He gets to the bottom of all the issues in a case.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
‘ Highly experienced in children work, very personable with clients, solicitors wouldn’t hesitate to instruct him. ’
Legal 500, 2022
A cross-jurisdictional specialist who represents notable individuals in private children disputes. He mainly acts in cases concerning international and internal relocation, abduction and enforcement orders. He has experience of dealing with Hague and non-Hague jurisdictions.
Strengths: “Mark is capable of drawing out the salient points in cross-examination, and his advocacy is more precise and direct than that of others.” “He maintains his gravitas while being empathetic.” “A phenomenal cross-examiner who is completely straightforward in his approach.”
Recent work: Acted in the High Court appearing on behalf of a father who sought the return of his child to Israel under the 1980 Hague Convention.
Chambers & Partners, 2021
‘Possessed of a sharp and quick intellect and the ability to write and speak with incisive effectiveness. He is the ultimate class act, smooth, polished and authoritative and he is a devastatingly efficient cross-examiner.’
Legal 500, 2021
A cross-jurisdictional specialist who represents notable individuals in private children disputes. He mainly acts in cases concerning international and internal relocation, abduction and enforcement orders. He has experience of dealing with Hague and non-Hague jurisdictions.
Strengths: “Mark Jarman is a master of advocacy in a High Court setting, whose preparation is exemplary. You always know you are in safe hands.” “Mark is a formidable advocate who is impressive in court and very reassuring with clients. When you’ve got really nasty cases, he gives you that extra dimension.”
Recent work: Acted in Salama, a child abduction case arising out of the retention of a child in Egypt following a family holiday in 2011.
Chambers & Partners 2020
‘A fearless advocate, a safe pair of hands; his written and oral advocacy is exceptional, down to earth and robust.’
Legal 500, 2020
A cross-jurisdictional specialist who represents notable individuals in private children disputes. He mainly acts in cases concerning relocation, abduction and enforcement orders, among other international issues. He has experience of dealing with Hague and non-Hague jurisdictions.
Strengths: “He has exceptional judgement, and gets straight to the heart of what one is trying to achieve. He is tremendously tough in court, and works very well under exceptional pressure.”
Recent work: Intervened on behalf of a legal charity into a Supreme Court appeal. The issue in question was anticipatory breach in retention cases.
Chambers & Partners 2019
‘Strong and persuasive.’
Legal 500, 2019
A cross-jurisdictional specialist who represents notable individuals in private children disputes. He mainly acts in cases concerning relocation, abduction and enforcement orders among other international issues. He has experience of dealing with Hague and non-Hague jurisdictions.
Strengths: “He is a very experienced, robust and measured advocate who is more than a match for anyone at the Children’s Bar. He is comfortable in international disputes and knows how to deal with wealthy parents.”
Recent work: Represented a mother estranged from her child for four years following its removal to Egypt after a family holiday.
Chambers & Partners 2018
‘Approachable, helpful and very good with clients.’
Legal 500, 2017
A cross-jurisdictional specialist who represents notable individuals in private children disputes. He mainly acts in cases concerning relocation, abduction and enforcement orders.
Strengths: “He is highly intelligent, calm, persuasive and very good with clients.”
Chambers & Partners 2017
‘His advocacy is superb.’
The Legal 500, 2016
An experienced practitioner who deals with cross-border children issues. These include child abduction and relocation matters.
Strengths: “He has huge experience and is strong in court.” “He is very knowledgeable and highly personable.”
Chambers & Partners 2016
‘He is tenacious and has excellent judgement; he delivers every single time.’
The Legal 500, 2015
An experienced advocate in both private and public law proceedings, whose practice has a particular focus on cases relating to the international movement of children. He regularly handles leave to remove matters in both Hague and non-Hague jurisdictions.
Expertise: “An unsung hero who is very self-effacing and just gets on with his work. Good in a crisis, he’s very experienced and a safe pair of hands.”
Chambers & Partners 2015
Mark Jarman – ‘Very good for abduction proceedings.’
Recommended as a Leading Junior in the area of Child Law
The Legal 500, 2014
A new entrant in the rankings this year, who is noted for his handling of high-profile cases concerning abduction and the international movement of children.
Expertise: “He knows the law and will put together good arguments at really short notice.”
Recent work: Recently appealed in the Court of Appeal in Re: J, a Hague abduction case.
Chambers & Partners 2013
Recommended as a Leading Junior in the area of Child Law
The Legal 500, 2013