Maria Gallagher

In public law Maria represents parents, children, local authorities and extended family members. She has expertise in cases which involve death and non-accidental injuries, serious sexual abuse and factitious illness often with complex and competing expert medical evidence.

She also regularly acts in cases involving domestic abuse and neglect, parents with learning disabilities, capacity or mental health issues, concerns around substance abuse and addiction and cases involving children with complex medical / disabilities needs or special educational needs.

Selected Cases

A LA v B v R & Others [2018]

Acted for the local authority led by Penny Howe QC in this 16 day fact find in the High Court involving the death of a baby in which there was complex and competing expert medical evidence.

Re B (A Child) [2018] EWCA Civ 2127

Acted for the local authority in a 6 day fact finding and was then successful in securing a dismissal of the appeal by the mother led by Aidan Vine QC.

A LA v B v R & Others [2018]

Acted for the local authority led by Sue Campbell QC in this 18 day fact find in the High Court involving a number of allegations relating to sexual and physical abuse of children by parents and a number of intervenors with international expert evidence and diocesan church involvement.

Re L (A Child) [2013] EWCA Civ 489

Acted for the mother and was successful in an appeal where the local authority had wrongfully removed the child from her care in prison.