Martin Downs
Probate Solicitors
Martin Downs
2 Crown Office Row, London
# Martin Downs - Barrister at Law
Martin Downs is a specialist barrister based at 1 Crown Office Row in London, called to the Bar in 1990. He provides expert legal representation and counsel across public law, human rights, and equality matters, serving individuals, families, local authorities, and professional bodies navigating complex disputes.
His practice encompasses public law with particular depth in children's rights and safeguarding. He has developed innovative legal strategies, most notably pioneering the use of inherent jurisdiction to address radicalisation and prevent youth involvement in foreign conflicts. He regularly appears in high-profile cases involving modern slavery, forced marriage, contested adoptions, and child abduction—often with significant international dimensions across the EEA, US, Russia, and South Asia.
In professional regulation, Martin handles sensitive cases before the GMC, Ofsted, and Cafcass, combining his expertise in employment law with safeguarding concerns affecting teachers, psychiatrists, and social workers. His additional strengths include police and local government judicial review, inquests with Article 5 implications, Court of Protection proceedings, and equality law discrimination cases.
What distinguishes Martin is his dual credibility as both practitioner and Employment Judge (since 2012), combined with his genuine thought leadership. He regularly contributes to major publications including the Guardian and law journals, lectures at national conferences on radicalisation and human rights, and has appeared on BBC Newsnight and Panorama. This positions him not merely as an advocate but as a recognised authority shaping public discourse on critical legal and social issues.
Martin Downs is a specialist barrister based at 1 Crown Office Row in London, called to the Bar in 1990. He provides expert legal representation and counsel across public law, human rights, and equality matters, serving individuals, families, local authorities, and professional bodies navigating complex disputes.
His practice encompasses public law with particular depth in children's rights and safeguarding. He has developed innovative legal strategies, most notably pioneering the use of inherent jurisdiction to address radicalisation and prevent youth involvement in foreign conflicts. He regularly appears in high-profile cases involving modern slavery, forced marriage, contested adoptions, and child abduction—often with significant international dimensions across the EEA, US, Russia, and South Asia.
In professional regulation, Martin handles sensitive cases before the GMC, Ofsted, and Cafcass, combining his expertise in employment law with safeguarding concerns affecting teachers, psychiatrists, and social workers. His additional strengths include police and local government judicial review, inquests with Article 5 implications, Court of Protection proceedings, and equality law discrimination cases.
What distinguishes Martin is his dual credibility as both practitioner and Employment Judge (since 2012), combined with his genuine thought leadership. He regularly contributes to major publications including the Guardian and law journals, lectures at national conferences on radicalisation and human rights, and has appeared on BBC Newsnight and Panorama. This positions him not merely as an advocate but as a recognised authority shaping public discourse on critical legal and social issues.
Services offered
Public Law and Human RightsChildren's Rights and Family LawProfessional Regulation (GMC/Ofsted)Police and Local Government Judicial ReviewCourt of Protection Welfare CasesEquality and Discrimination LawInquest RepresentationMedia Law and Disclosure Restrictions