Year of Call
2019Areas of practice
“Barrister was amazing, thank you.”
Biography
Maia is a specialist family law barrister whose focus is public children law, Court of Protection work, deprivation of liberty applications and appellate hearings. Prior to transferring to the Bar, Maia worked as a doctor for the NHS and specialised as a surgeon. Her medical background gives her a strong advantage in handling complex non-accidental injury cases, as well as Court of Protection matters involving medical issues. She is regularly instructed by NHS Trusts, who value her practical understanding of hospital systems and operations.
Before specialising, Maia gained experience in all areas of family law and represented all parties. This has made her a well-rounded family practitioner who is able to anticipate arguments from multiple perspectives and tailor her approach accordingly. She demonstrates confidence and empathy in her professional conduct, complemented by clear and effective communication skills. She is a persuasive advocate and is meticulous in her drafting. Solicitors say: "Just a belated thank you for your work in including this case in which communicating with the client was not easy but you seem to have done remarkably well with her at court," and, “It is no surprise that she is in demand as she has a really great manner with clients.".
Maia is also an experienced appellate advocate, with a track record of success in all her appeals. She has conducted appeals at all levels up to and including the Court of Appeal.
Children law (public)
Maia accepts instructions for all stages of care proceedings including contested hearings, deprivation of liberty applications and multi-day fact-finding and final hearings. She acts for parents, family members, children, NHS Trusts and interveners.
Maia has experience of dealing with vulnerable clients. The Court said she provided “excellent representation” in a multi-day final hearing, where she represented a mother who had learning difficulties and was facing care and placement orders for her tenth child after already having had nine children removed from her care and placed for adoption. She recently achieved success in M (A Child: Intermediaries) [2025] EWCA Civ 440, in which the Court of Appeal overturned a lower court’s decision and ordered the appointment of an intermediary for a vulnerable mother.
Her experience as a doctor means she is highly proficient in interpreting medical notes and expert reports with ease and accuracy. In her first non-accidental injury trial, Maia was described as "fearless" in her cross-examination of one of the medical experts. In these cases, she capably holds her own alongside practitioners with considerably more years of call. She has acted in numerous non-accidental injury fact-finding hearings and been led by King’s Counsel.
Court of Protection
Maia has a growing Court of Protection practice; she accepts instructions from family members, the Official Solicitor and NHS Trusts. Given her medical background, she is well placed in cases where there are complex medical issues. Recent feedback from an instructing solicitor was: “The clients are very happy with the outcome and impressed with your approach.”
Instruct
To instruct Maia, please contact Jay Dorton.
Education
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), King’s College London
- Bachelor of Sciences, Physiology (BSc) King’s College London
- Member of Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS)
- GDL, City University
- BPTC, BPP Law School
Memberships
- Family Law Bar Association
Prizes
- BPP Advocacy Award
Notable Cases
LA v M (care case): Represented a mother in a 6-day final hearing where her 10th child was subject to applications for Care and Placement Orders (the mother's previous 9 children having already been removed from her care). Although the court ultimately made the orders requested, the Judge complimented Maia for providing the mother with ‘excellent representation’ and ‘having made every point that was available to her’. The mother thanked Maia for having been the first person who she felt had fairly represented her.
LA v K (care case): Participated in long running care proceedings, identifying that her client (a parent) had not been afforded a fair hearing previously because of the failure of the court and Local Authority to book suitable interpreters and persuading the court that further time should be afforded to the parents to make the necessary changes to their parenting to allow the children to return to their care.
FG v LG v TK: Successfully appealed a private law children case where Magistrates had determined that a fact finding hearing would examine only three out of twenty-three allegations of domestic abuse. Having represented the client at the re-hearing, it was determined that twelve out of the twenty-three allegations would be heard and that the re-listed case would be heard by a District Judge.
K v L: Successfully appealed a case management decision made by Magistrates at a PTR that witness statements should be excluded and allegations not dealt with at a fact finding hearing. The matter was listed for a re-hearing by a District Judge with all allegations being dealt with and all witness statements included.
JO v AN (finance): Acted for a Wife where the Husband was a litigant in person and was purposefully delaying proceedings. Successfully enforced previous orders which the Husband had failed to comply, and obtained a costs order against the Husband.