Practice Profile

Martin practices in family law, with a principal focus on all aspects of public law child proceedings.

He is driven by the pastoral aspect of family and child law and is committed to working with parties to ensure appropriate and sensitive outcomes for those involved. Martin regularly acts for both local authorities and parents, allowing him to see cases from all sides. Current cases include issues of neglect, non-accidental injury, FDAC and domestic abuse.

Martin has broad experience in wider child, contact, divorce and domestic violence cases and takes instructions on public funding, private and direct access bases. Amongst other matters, he has worked on international abduction and wardship proceedings, applications to travel to non-Hague countries, contested paternity, transfer of tenancy and regular finding of fact and contact hearings. Martin is particularly interested in trying to make the court system work for the children and litigants and finding effective outcomes.

Martin previously worked for several years in a wide range of civil litigation and advisory work, appearing in the High Court and County Court in chancery, property and housing, insolvency, consumer credit, personal injury and civil litigation.

Prior to joining coming to the Bar, Martin worked as a paralegal in the HMRC Solicitor’s Office, where he specialised in with MTIC VAT fraud and employment law matters; and practised as a solicitor-advocate and supervising solicitor in a high-volume litigation solicitors firm.

Recent instructions have included:

Secure Accommodation and DOLs applications

Recovery and collection order proceedings in the High Court

Successful opposition to Designation to another local authority at the point of a Special Guardianship Order

Emergency applications for new-born children, placement breakdown and removal applications (for both local authorities and parents)

Last minute public access instructions to attend a Wardship application in the High Court for a client who was overseas

Obtaining permission for temporary removal to a non-Hague Convention country in private law proceedings

Contested contact arrangements on day 17 of public law proceedings where Martin had not been trial counsel

Successfully opposed an order for DNA testing as it posed a risk of harm to the children involved

What Clients Say

“I have found Martin to be approachable and helpful throughout… I have also had the client comment that they were very happy with the representation being provided by Martin and they have specifically requested that he remains instructed”

“I have personally found Mr McGann to be personable, hardworking and diligent who always represents… with care and skill and most importantly is very approachable. Mr McGann prepares good quality practice direction documents which are filed on time”

“…the client has said how fantastic you were, she said you were understanding and caring and she wanted me to pass on her thanks”

Education

LLB (Hons), Law with Legal Studies in Europe, University of Reading and Universiteit Maastrict

BVC, Manchester Metropolitan University

Public Access Qualification

Memberships

Lincoln’s Inn

Family Law Bar Association