Call: 1995
Maria practices exclusively in family law with a specialism in high-end/ big money financial remedy applications and (private law) children work.
Maria is often instructed in multi-jurisdictional cases, involving International clients and clients with out-of-jurisdiction assets, in particular in the Middle East (the UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabi, Oman and Qatar), with a number of her recent cases being published and establishing precedence in law.
Maria is recognised in Spear’s 500 Guide as a Top Recommended Family Law Barrister within the exclusive guide. Maria is also an author at Spear’s, with her recent article on Divorcing in Dubai: Should wealthy Expats worry about new UAE family laws? can be accessed here.
Maria is ranked in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners in family law (including divorce & financial remedy).
Maria is a qualified arbitrator in financial matters and an accredited civil mediator.
Maria has been consistently acknowledged in the Pro-Bono Recognition List of England & Wales, undertaking over 25 hours of pro-bono each year on behalf of Advocate.
Testimonials
“Maria is excellent in her client facing ability and a really fabulous advocate. She can explain intricate legal principles in a relatable way to a client and makes her advocacy seem so simple.” Chambers & Partners, 2026 – Family: Matrimonial Finance
“She’s really, really good at getting clients where they need to be.” Chambers & Partners, 2025 – Family: Matrimonial Finance
“Maria has the ear of the court.” Chambers & Partners 2024
“Maria Scotland is a strong advocate in court on complex financial remedies cases, who fights hard for her clients.” Chambers & Partners 2024
“Maria’s preparation is spot-on, which puts you in a position of strength.” Chambers & Partners 2024
“Maria has a personable, approvable and considerate approach. She is always at hand and has a fantastic way of explaining complex matters to clients.” The Legal 500 2024
“Her drafting is outstanding and her advocacy persuasive.” The Legal 500 2022 & 2021
“She excels in private law children work and is also noted for her expertise in financial remedy cases.” Chambers & Partners 2014
“A very effective advocate with excellent drafting skills.” The Legal 500 2013/14
“Maria Scotland is commended by sources for her calm but firm advocacy style. Her broad family law practice encompasses ancillary relief work with an international dimension, and she is especially noted for her work in private law children disputes.” Chambers & Partners 2013
Maria practices exclusively in family law with a specialism in high end/ big money financial remedy applications and (private law) children work.
Maria is well known at the Bar and has won an award for her work from the Bar Council. She is extremely warm and engaging with members of the public and clients alike. As someone who is divorced and a single mother to two young daughters, she understands all too well the emotional as well as financial impact family breakdown and court proceedings has upon clients, their children and family alike. However, her warm approach with clients belies a tenacious and dogged approach with the other side and in court. She is trusted by several loyal instructing solicitors and members of the judiciary and has had a loyal following throughout her practice at the family bar since 1995.
Her money/ financial practice concerns cases where the parties’ wealth is substantial or else the issues complex. She is regularly involved in cases where the asset wealth is several million, involving issues of serious non-disclosure, assets outside of the jurisdiction, international issues, and family Trusts. She has a wealth of experience where clients, who were domiciled in England & Wales, are divorced and have their financial affairs dealt with by the Family Court in London whilst living as an ex patriate in the UAE, Australia, America and other Arab countries. Maria’s money work includes acting for the husband/ boyfriend, wife/ girlfriend or else third-party intervener including on behalf of the Crown (in asset recovery cases). Maria also undertakes Trusts of Land Act 1996 (TOLATA) matters, concerning parties who were never married.
Maria is also a strong advocate in private children law disputes (including financial claims on behalf of a child under Schedule 1). She is professional but empathetic, bringing to court proceedings the “human touch”.
Represented an American applicant father (member of the Church of the Latter-Day Saint’s Faith) applying to remove three children from the mother’s sole care England to live in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Represented a mother living in Dubai seeking orders under the inherent jurisdiction for the return of her two young children from father in England.
Represented father following abduction of child to Algeria and breach of orders to return (contempt).
Sentencing of the father in case above.
Represented mother responding to father’s application for return order of two children to Dubai. Led by James Turner KC. Counsel for father was Mark Jarman KC or else Michael Gration KC (4PB).
Represented mother resisting father’s application to extend Child Arrangement orders past the children’s 16thbirthday due to parental alienation/ exceptional circumstances.
Represented mother resisting publication order, naming her as mother who had alienated children from the father.
Represented appellant mother in the Court of Appeal seeking discharge of Publication Order.
Led by James Turner KC, Maria Scotland successfully appeared for the Appellant (mother) before the Court of Appeal in a case where the mother had removed a child from the USA to live in England. Father sought the return of the child back to the USA. First instance High Court Judge ordering the return of the child. The decision was reversed on appeal.
Led by James Turner KC. Represented mother responding to an application to return a child to the USA.
Represented the appellant alone before the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Tribunal) in his appeal of the DBS’ decision to place his name on the Children’s barred list for alleged sexual abuse of minors aged 8-9 years in his care at a Madrasa.
Represented the appellant mother alone in the CA.
Represented appellant wife appealing final financial order for accounting errors.
Represented appellant wife appealing final financial order – appeal based on complaint first appeal Judge discussed judgment with first instance Judge.
The performance of counsel was outstanding. Indeed the hearing was short because counsel’s submissions, written and oral, were so clear, so succinct and so realistic.
I agree with the judgment of Lord Justice Wilson, not least in relation to the high standard of representation and advocacy before this court.
Maria is often instructed in multi-jurisdictional cases, involving International clients and clients with out-of-jurisdiction assets, in particular in the Middle East (the UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabi, Oman and Qatar, with a number of her recent cases being published and establishing precedence in law.
We are very proud that Pump Court and its members […]
We are delighted that Pump Court has again been ranked […]
To instruct Maria or if you require help or advice please contact our clerking team.
Call +44 (0)20 7353 0711 or email clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com.
Maria is a qualified arbitrator in financial matters under the Institute of Family Arbitrators Scheme.
Maria has featured as a guest expert on the Get Legally Speaking podcast, sharing practical insight and commentary on a range of family law issues. Her appearances have covered topics including divorce, navigating the separation process, and child maintenance, offering listeners clear and accessible guidance on complex legal matters. These episodes reflect Maria’s approachable style and depth of experience in family law practice.
London Chambers
3 Pump Court
Temple
London
EC4Y 7AJ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7353 0711
Fax: +44 (0)845 259 3241
Email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com
Winchester Chambers
31 Southgate Street
Winchester
SO23 9EB
Tel: +44 (0)1962 868 161
Fax: +44 (0)845 259 3240
Email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com
Swindon Chambers
3 Newbridge Square
Aylesbury Street
Swindon
SN1 1HN
Tel: +44 (0)1793 539 899
Fax: +44 (0)845 259 3242
Email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com
Canterbury Chambers
6 - 8 Longmarket (inside Regus workspace)
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 2JS
Tel: +44 (0)1227 764 899
Email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com
About Us | What We Do | Accessibility | Data Protection | Equality & Diversity | Feedback & Complaints | Privacy Notice
The Legal Ombudsman website can be accessed here. The Barristers’ Register is displayed here. Regulated by the Bar Standards Board.