Martin Kingerley KC

Called 1999

Martin is very hardworking and has an excellent knowledge of the law. He is a calming influence in court and is always appreciated by the court.

Legal 500 (2024)

About

Martin Kingerley KC is a family law barrister who specialises in the law relating to children. He undertakes work in the most serious and complex public law cases relating to allegations of non-accidental injury and death, serious sexual harm, factitious/induced illness and honour-based abuse.

Within the sphere of private law children disputes, he represents all parties in cases involving fact-finding hearing of domestic abuse, parental alienation, intractable disputes and domestic and international relocation.

Martin is also renowned for his expertise in respect of the law relating to surrogacy, assisted conception and other aspects of the HFEA 2008.

Areas of Expertise

Contact Martin Kingerley KC

Legal 500 (2024) - "Martin is very hardworking and has an excellent knowledge of the law. He is a calming influence in court and is always appreciated by the court."

Chambers UK (2024) - "Martin Kingerley has a hypnotic way about him which immediately puts everyone in the room at ease. He is calm, measured and extremely knowledgeable. Martin really cares about each of the families he is working with."

Chambers UK (2024) - "Has huge knowledge of children law and gives brilliant, strategic advice. He also has a wonderful bedside manner."

Chambers UK (2024) - "Quiet and understated, but quite excellent in terms of his advocacy skills."

Chambers UK (2023) - "Martin knows all there is to know about children's law. He has a hypnotic way of speaking, which reassures all those around him. He gives honest, fair and pragmatic advice too."

FLBA, Midland Circuit

Re C (‘Parental Alienation’; Instruction of Expert) [2023] EWHC 345 (Fam)
Represented the Children’s Guardian in this appeal before the President of the Family Division in this high profile case concerning allegations of ‘parental alienation’ and the instruction of unregulated experts.

Re Z (Embryo Adoption: Declaration of Non-Parentage) [2018] EWFC 68, [2018] 4 WLR 169
Acted for pro bono for the successful applicant mother. Advised on, sought and obtained a declaration of non-parentage in this important authority which highlights the pitfalls and legal implications of undertaking fertility treatment outside the UK.

BT & GT (Children: Twins-Adoption) [2018] EWFC 76
Represented twins, via their children’s guardian, in these factually and legally complex proceedings. Following findings of ‘incompetence and social work failings of the local authority’ advised on and obtained significant damages for breaches of the twins’ human rights.

Re C (A Child) [2016] EWHC 3473 (Fam)
High Court proceedings which clarify the extent to which children in care are able to consent to being deprived of their liberty.

PD, SD, JD and X County Council [2015] EWHC 4103 (Fam)
In these complex and emotionally sensitive proceedings, Martin acted for the local authority and sought clarification as to the extent to which an adopted child (who was diagnosed with gender dysphoria) was permitted to exclude his adoptive parents from all aspects of his life including relating to medical treatment.

In the Matter of the HFEA 2008
(Cases A-H Declaration of Parentage) [2015] EWHC 2602 (Fam) – Munby P – Ground-breaking multi-party litigation concerning declarations of parentage in cases of assisted conception.

Recorder - 2018

Deputy High Court Judge - 2023

Newcastle University 2:1

Nottingham Trent University – BVC Very competent