Gemma Farrington KC

Gemma Farrington KC

Year of Call: 1994
Year of Silk: 2022
Email Address: [email protected]
Telephone: 020 7583 8055

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Clerks Details

Overview

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.

Reported cases:

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.

 

Expertise

  • Family
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    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.

  • Recommendations

    • Gemma Farrington KC is an extremely experienced children law specialist. She is frequently instructed in cases involving complex non-accidental injury allegations, as well as those with international elements. She has experience at all levels including the Court of Appeal.

      "Gemma learnt the case very well and put the case forward in the best way."
      "Gemma is a formidable advocate and a class act."
      "Gemma is an established silk with a calm and persuasive courtroom manner."
      "Judges respect her and her ability to command a courtroom is second to none."
      Chambers and Partners 2027/Family: Children/London Bar

      "Gemma Farrington KC knows the papers inside out and is extremely tactical. She is unflappable and measured in court. She is great with very vulnerable clients."
      2Gemma Farrington KC is safe and sensible in children matters."
      "Gemma Farrington KC has an analytical brain. She manages to reduce vast volumes of material and distill them into very punchy documents."
      "Gemma Farrington KC is great, organised, clever and persuasive. She's very good overall."
      Chambers and Partners 2027/Family: Children/South Eastern

      'Gemma is unbelievably thorough and tenacious. Gemma has excellent judgment, acts only for parents, and will see a way through for a client in the most difficult circumstances.'
      Legal 500 2027/Family: Children and domestic abuse/London

      Gemma is a very calm, fair, and strong advocate who provides clients with a lot of confidence in her abilities due to the way she presents and treats them.
      Legal 500 2027/Family: Children and domestic abuse/South Eastern

      "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."
      "Gemma is extremely diligent and produces excellent work,. often at very little notice."
      Chambers and Partners 2026/Family: Children/London Bar

      Gemma Farrington KC specialises in complex care proceedings, usually acting on behalf of parents but sometimes representing children. She is also well versed in private law cases and has significant experience in taking cases to the Court of Appeal. She acts on cases involving non-accidental injury, abuse, and death.
      "Gemma is an incredible barrister who everybody can learn from."
      "Gemma is a very good and formidable advocate. She knows it all and is highly methodical."
      "Gemma's advocacy is a masterclass in precision and persuasion, seamlessly blending tactical brilliance with unwavering diligence."
      "Gemma is really good at helping the client feel at ease and preparing them for trial."
      Chambers and Partners 2026/Family: Children/South Eastern

      ‘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.’
      Legal 500 2026/Family: Children and domestic abuse/London
      Legal 500 2026/Gemma Farrington KC is ranked a Leading Silk for Family: children and domestic abuse in South Eastern - Tier 1

      "Gemma is analytical and skilful. Her cross-examination is clever and thorough. She has a tactical mind and is able to leave clients feeling confident and safe."
      Chambers and Partners 2025/Family: Children/South Eastern

      "Gemma is an excellent advocate, and her advocacy skills are second to none. She is tactically brilliant, and her preparation of cases and research is in-depth and thorough."
      Legal 500 2025/Family: Children and domestic abuse/South Eastern

      "Gemma is an exceptional silk."
      Legal 500 2025/Family: Children and domestic abuse/London

      "Gemma is hard-working and thorough. She is organised and persistent, and her advocacy is persuasive. She is unafraid to take on tough points." Legal 500 2024

      "Gemma Farrington is an extremely safe pair of hands, calm and careful in preparation.” Chambers and Partners 2023

      "Gemma has a good grasp of the issues in a case. She is always well prepared and is good at engaging with clients. Her cross-examination is thorough but always polite and well focused." Legal 500 2023

      "She gives robust and clear advice. She is fearless. She is able to turn very difficult cases on their heads." Chambers and Partners 2022

      "Farrington is an outstanding advocate." Chambers and Partners 2021

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