Maia specialises in complex care proceedings, with particular expertise in cases involving allegations of non-accidental injury. She also has an established Court of Protection practice, regularly acting in a broad range of health and welfare and property and affairs matters. In addition, Maia is developing her practice in the Coroners’ Court.
Before qualifying as a barrister, Maia worked as a doctor for the NHS. Her medical expertise gives her a distinct advantage in analysing complex clinical evidence and navigating medically intricate issues in proceedings before the Family Court, the Court of Protection and the Coroners’ Court.
Court of Protection
Overview
Maia accepts instructions from the Official Solicitor, Accredited Legal Representatives, family members, local authorities and NHS trusts. She regularly appears in the Court of Protection on s.21A and s.16 matters. Her experience includes cases involving international assets, transitions from children to adult services, and matters engaging the jurisdiction of both the Family Court and the Court of Protection.
Maia’s medical background is particularly valuable in serious medical treatment cases, including disputes concerning the withdrawal or withholding of treatment, best interests decisions relating to medical care, and end-of-life matters.
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Public Children Law
Overview
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.
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.
Notable Cases
M (A Child: Intermediaries) [2025] EWCA Civ 440
The Court of Appeal overturned the lower court’s refusal to appoint an intermediary for a vulnerable mother during a nine-day fact-finding hearing. The decision is now the leading authority on the use of intermediaries in the Family Courts.
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Inquiries & Inquests
Overview
Maia has a particular interest in inquests and inquiries and is developing her practice in both areas. Her medical background enables her to understand and analyse complex clinical evidence, making her well placed to assist in cases involving detailed medical issues and to provide effective support in proceedings where intricate medical evidence is central.
