Family
Gemma Farrington KC was called to the bar in 1994. She took silk in 2022. Gemma is a seasoned family barrister with over thirty years experience in family law and is acknowledged as a specialist in complex care cases.
Regularly appearing in cases where there is complex medical evidence and allegations of non-accidental injury, Gemma also frequently acts in cases where there are serious allegations such as sexual abuse or fabricated or induced illness. She acts for parents, children, relatives, Special Guardians and adopters.
As well as complex care cases, Gemma undertakes private law cases and international family law cases, having appeared in the High Court in cases involving the inherent jurisdiction, the Hague Convention 1996 and the Hague Convention 1980. In private law, Gemma is acknowledged as being very skilled in cases involving complex fact-finding hearings and cases involving allegations of parental alienation. She acts for parents and has also been instructed on behalf of children through their Guardians pursuant to rule 16.4 FPR 2010. She appears in all levels of court and has represented parties in the Court of Appeal on numerous occasions during her career.
Re R (Adoption of Foreign National Child) [2025] EWHC 3032 (Fam)
Re A & Ors (Care Proceedings: Inherent Jurisdiction: Order for return to Austria) [2024] EWFC 178
D and A (Fact-Finding: Research Literature) [2024] EWCA Civ 663
A & Ors (Care Proceedings: 1996 Hague Convention: Habitual Residence) [2024] EWFC 110
JO v JS (Children) (Dismissal of Proceedings) [2021] EWFC B36
H (Chidren) (Sexual abuse: fact finding) [2011] All ER (D) 69 (May)
LM ( By her Guardian) v Medway Council, RM & YM [2007] EWCA Civ 9 [2007] 1FLR 1698 CA.
Gemma co-authored “Assessment of parents in care proceedings” by Jordans Publishing (2014) and co-authored in Family Law two features: firstly, “Applying criminal law and procedure to police evidence in care proceedings: The ABE interview" (2021) and secondly, "Using intermediaries in care proceedings to ensure the effective participation of vulnerable clients” (2022). Throughout her career, Gemma has regularly presented seminars to lawyers and other professionals.
Gemma is ranked in London and South Eastern by Chambers and Partners 2026 and the Legal 500 2026 for her expertise. Clients who have taken part in the legal directories research have described her as follows:
'Every single time I work with her I learn something. She's really bright and quick and will have thought of all the issues before they've entered my head.'
'Her advocacy is a masterclass in precision and persuasion, seamlessly blending tactical brilliance with unwavering diligence.'
‘Gemma is an outstanding barrister: she is exceptionally strategic, her courtroom presence is calm and poised, and her submissions and cross-examination are sharp and impressive.’
'Gemma is extremely diligent and produces excellent work, often at very little notice.'
'Gemma is an incredible barrister who everybody can learn from.'.
Outside work, Gemma enjoys going to the theatre and attending concerts, both classical and other genres of music. She particularly enjoys travelling especially to France and tries to spend as much time as she can with her family when not working.
Family
Gemma Farrington KC is a very experienced barrister and silk who specialises in children cases.
Public Law
Gemma is acknowledged as a specialist in complex care cases such as those that involve allegations of non-accidental injury, sexual abuse, fabricated induced illness and other cases that involve serious allegations. She acts for parents, children, relatives, Special Guardians and adopters.
Private Law
Gemma is acknowledged as being very skilled in cases involving complex fact-finding hearings and cases involving allegations of parental alienation. She acts for parents and has also been instructed on behalf of children through their Guardians pursuant to rule 16.4 FPR 2010.
International Family Law
Gemma has appeared in the High Court in cases involving the inherent jurisdiction, the Hague Convention 1996 and the Hague Convention 1980.
Called 1994. Silk 2022.
Honourable Society of Gray's Inn
Association of Lawyers for Children (ALC)
Family Law Bar Association (FLBA)
Women in Family Law (WiFL)
Outside work, Gemma enjoys going to the theatre and attending concerts, both classical and other genres of music. She particularly enjoys travelling especially to France and tries to spend as much time as she can with her family when not working.