HH Martin Dancey has recently retired as Designated Family Judge for Dorset after 23 years on the Bench. He was also a member of the Private Law Working Group and the Family Solutions Group and has been closely involved in developing the private law reforms pilot that has recently launched in Dorset and North Wales.

With over 24 years experience behind him David is a specialist family law barrister with particular expertise in children cases with an international dimension. Leave to remove, jurisdictional disputes, abduction and enforcement issues are areas of expertise but David also acts in private law disputes and has a particular interest in cases where there are psychological issues, such as personality disorders and parental alienation.

David can also handle the financial dimension of family breakdown. With the ever-growing trend of cross-border movement of children who are the subject of child protection enquiries David has also developed considerable experience of public law cases where either jurisdiction is in issue or where a cross-border placement is anticipated.

His approach combines rigorous analysis and preparation and an emphasis on seeking a consensual resolution where practical with a robust presentation of the case when agreement proves impossible.

David is the co General Editor of Rayden and Jackson on Relationship Breakdown, Finances and Children and sits on the editorial board of International Family Law.