We use cookies to offer you a better experience and analyse site traffic.

By continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.



I agree

Marcia specialises in children work and has almost 30 years’ experience at the family bar. She undertakes both public and private law work.

Marcia’s main practice involves serious & complex child abuse matters including those where there are issues of sexual abuse, non-accidental injury and the death of a child. She acts on behalf of local authorities, parents, children’s guardians and extended family members in such cases at all levels of court. She also has a particular interest in cases relating to contact with children in local authority care.

In private law work Marcia has a particular interest in domestic abuse and especially controlling and coercive behaviours.

She is regularly instructed by the most experienced of family solicitors in London and the Home Counties and has built a reputation for her detailed and thorough preparation, her attention to detail, her acute understanding of complex legal and evidential issues and her robust style of advocacy.

As a highly experienced advocate she offers clear advice to her clients and argues persuasively for them at all levels of court.

Marcia was previously Head of the Animal Welfare group which developed through her work on coercive and controlling behaviours. She continues to be involved in animal welfare by continuing to highlight the link between human and animal abuse and exploring legal avenues that promote animal welfare through her membership of the UK Centre for Animal Law and linked organisations.

 

Family Law

Selected Cases

  • Bedford Local Authority v CD & Ors (Rev 1) [2020] EWHC 1996 (Fam). Judgment here.
  • Tan (a child) (child death: fact finding) [2019] EWFC B78
  • M (a Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 2445
  • Re H-T (Children) [2012] EWCA Civ 1215
  • Re P-B (Contact: Committal) [2009] 2 FLR 66
  • A Local Authority v J [2008] EWHC 1484 (Fam)
  • Re T (A Child) [2007] EWHC 455 (Fam)
  • Re W (Section 34(2) Orders) [2000] 1 FLR 502

Publications

  • 'Brexit Wildfire' - November 2022

  • 'Court of Appeal allows Judicial Review in respect of farmed chickens' - October 2022

  • ‘Domestic abuse, animal abuse: controlling and coercive behaviours’ in Animal Journal, May 2022.

  • 'Domestic abuse, controlling and coercive behaviours and companion animals' published by Lexis Nexis Family Law. View the article here.

  • ‘Non-recognition of member state orders under Brussels II Art 23’
    Co-written by Marcia Hyde and Tim Parker Q.C. published in International Family Law, Issue 3, pp 273-6 (2015). This is the first reported case (2014 EWFC 56) where Brussels II Article 23(a) (public policy) has been successfully argued preventing the recognition of an order made in a Member state.
  • Marcia is the author of ‘Children: Public Law: procedure and law’ in ‘Family Law in Practice’, City Law School Bar Manual.
  • ‘Domestic abuse, animal abuse: controlling and coercive behaviours’ in Animal Journal, May 2022. 
  • Domestic abuse, controlling and coercive behaviours and companion animals' published by Lexis Nexis Family Law. View the article here.

Recent Seminars

  • 'Companion Animals and Domestic Abuse - Controlling and Coercive Behaviours' - you can watch the recording of the webinar here.
  • Prospective Animal Legislation. Marcia Hyde was joined by Paula Sparks of A-Law. View the recording here.

  • 'Animals in Law' - A virtual round table discussion comprising five practitioners, specialising in different areas, discuss the status of a pet or companion animal in law. View the recording here.

  • ‘Child Sexual Abuse: Demystifying the Paediatric Assessment & Aiding the Legal Process’ 2018. Multi-Agency CSA training for Health, Education, Police and Social Care professionals.

  • 2018 Police Disclosure: “You show me yours and I’ll show you mine”.

Areas of Expertise

Related News

Animals and Property Rights

Animals and Property Rights

Recording of our latest Animal Welfare webinar, focusing on the law which defines animals as property and chattels compared with the emerging idea that animals can own property – specifically land.


Published: 10th Jun 2024

Animal Law Day 2023

Animal Law Day 2023

The Animal Welfare Group at 42BR is proud to support and celebrate A-Law's Animal Law Day 2023.


Published: 21st Jul 2023

Prospective Animal Welfare Legislation

Prospective Animal Welfare Legislation

An Animal Welfare Webinar examining the current legislation winding it's way through Parliament, presented by Marcia Hyde and Paula Sparks of A-Law.


Published: 12th May 2023

Brexit Wildfire by Marcia Hyde

Brexit Wildfire by Marcia Hyde

'Brexit Wildfire’ is the first in an occasional series of Articles where Marica Hyde considers the impact of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform Bill) on animal welfare.


Published: 25th Nov 2022

Animals in Law Webinar

Animals in Law Webinar

We will be hosting a virtual round table discussion where a group of five practitioners, specialising in different areas of law, will discuss the status of a pet or companion animal in law.


Published: 26th Sep 2022

A Warm Welcome to Marcia Hyde

A Warm Welcome to Marcia Hyde

We are delighted to welcome Marcia Hyde who has joined 42 Bedford Row’s Family Group as a senior barrister from Coram Chambers.


Published: 5th Aug 2019

More news

Awards & Recognition











Developed by CodeShore.Ltd