Practice Areas
- Court of Protection - Vulnerable Adult
- International Children Law
- Private Children Law
- Public Children Law
- Sports Law
Dispute Resolution
Awards
Shortlisted for Kindness and Leadership award 2024
‘Ruth is a high-quality KC who fights fiercely for her clients. She is an exceptional tactician and strategist.’
Legal 500, 2025
‘She is a pretty phenomenal woman. She is tenacious, hard-working and always welcomes the instructing solicitor’s opinion in the case. She has an incredible knowledge for case law.’
Chambers and Partners, 2025
Experience
Year of Call: 1994
Year of Silk: 2021
Qualifications
Arbitrator CIArb (2022)
Certificate in Sports Law (2014)
Mediator (Family) (2004)
Barrister in Republic of Ireland (2004)
Commercial Mediator (2004)
Collaborative Lawyer
Education
University College Cork, Ireland BCL
London School of Economics, LLM
London Metropolitan University, CPE
Inns of Court School of Law, BL
BL (Irl) Kings Inns, Dublin 2004
DeMontford University 2014
Languages
Working knowledge of French and Irish
Appointments
Bencher of Middle Temple
Assessor for AdvocateBar Council Ethics Committee member
Bar Council Ethics Committee member
Bar Council general member
Middle Temple Advocacy trainer
Profile
Ruth’s practice is primarily in children and Court of Protection work. She also undertakes sports law cases and disciplinary tribunal work including advising stars of the rugby world. The unusual breadth of her practice is reflected in the variety of her reported cases.
Ruth has particular experience in representing high profile families and individuals and of representing very religiously-observant families and families embroiled in political and cross-jurisdictional issues, sometimes with their own Governments. She deals with all aspects of private and public family law – both domestic and international
Ruth is dual qualified in the Irish Republic and has rights of audience before the Irish courts. She also is instructed as an expert witness in Irish and European family law cases.
International Children Law
Ruth has specialised in children law with an emphasis on international aspects for more than 20 years. The bulk of her practice has been in the Family Division including: abduction, jurisdictional disputes and wardship/inherent jurisdiction cases. Many of her reported cases have been in this area of family law.
Private Children Law
Ruth has specialised in children law for more than 20 years. Private law children has formed the bulk of her practice which has been in the Family Division including:
- Abduction and other unlawful movement of children and adults;
- Wardship and Inherent Jurisdiction cases ( publicity/privacy cases and stranded spouses);
- Complex disputes concerning children and vulnerable adults; and
- Jurisdictional issues
Court of Protection
Ruth has always practised in both privately-funded and legally-aided cases in this area of her work especially in complex COP cases. She has, in one case secured a costs order for close to £1 million. She tends to specialise in the complex welfare aspects of cases working with her Chancery colleagues on the financial aspects but can do both in modest cases.
Sports Law
Public Children Law
Ruth has specialised in children law for more than 20 years. She has acted for all parties in public law proceedings throughout her career. The bulk of her practice has been in the Family Division including:
- Disputes about jurisdiction;
- Care proceedings overlapping with wardship and Inherent Jurisdiction cases;
- Complex care proceedings; and
- Radicalisation cases.
Non-court dispute resolution
Qualifying as a commercial mediator in 2004, Ruth has had a longstanding belief in all forms of non-court dispute resolution (NCDR). She is collaboratively trained as well as being a Family Mediator for more than 10 years. She also practises as a children law arbitrator since 2022.
Inquests and Public Inquiries
Ruth brings her forensic cross examination, analytical and advocacy skills to this growing part of her practice.
Publications/Training
Ruth has lectured for the London Safeguarding Children’s Board, the Counter Terrorism Unit at the Met Police (SO15), Gresham College; and the Family Law Bar Association. She has also lectured in various academic environments including at the LSE. She has trained the Irish Judiciary on diversity and ethnic issues and trains students and junior barristers in advocacy at Middle Temple.
Professional Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
Association of Lawyers for Children
Court of Protection Bar Association
Administrative Law Bar Association
London Irish Lawyers’ Association
Directories
“Clients love Ruth because they always feel listened to, and she will fight incredibly hard for them. She is creative at coming up with solutions and strategies for complex cases.”
“She is brilliant with client’s and an exceptional advocate and strategist.”
“She is a pretty phenomenal woman. She is tenacious, hard-working and always welcomes the instructing solicitor’s opinion in the case. She has an incredible knowledge for case law.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
‘Ruth is a high-quality KC who fights fiercely for her clients. She is an exceptional tactician and strategist.’
Legal 500, 2025
‘Ruth is a force of nature. She quickly grasps the most complex matters – absorbing the paperwork like a sponge. She goes the extra mile in court to pursue points for her clients, and her advocacy is slick, persuasive and, when needed, fiery.’
Legal 500, 2024
“Ruth is the best advocate I have ever worked with and she is great with clients. She works exceptionally hard and, no matter what her schedule, she will always make time for you.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024
“A joy to instruct as she really gets stuck in and makes her arguments forcefully. Every point she makes, she just builds and builds upon to create a compelling submission.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
‘Ruth is a force of nature and an incredible strategist. Her advocacy style is punchy, considered and direct, and she never left a stone unturned.’
Legal 500, 2023
“A good fighter who is powerful in the courtroom and empathetic towards clients.” “She articulates powerful arguments in a persuasive manner. She is 100% ready to deal with the pressures presented in cases, and has the ability to think two steps ahead.” “Ruth has a natural, easy rapport with clients which puts them at ease.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“A formidable advocate who provides punchy thinking, she deserves her elevation to silk this year.”
Legal 500, 2022
Strengths: “Holds her own in complex cases and fights her client’s corner. She wants to achieve the best result for the children involved in the case.” “Concentrates on the bigger points and puts her whole heart into both legal aid and private cases.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021