Martin Downs Call: 1990
martin.downs@1cor.com Profile Martin Downs has a broad practice which principally covers Employment, Local Government (including Police) and Family Law. He has particular expertise in discrimination law including in the provision of goods, facilities and services especially as concerns disability and sexual orientation discrimination. In family law his practice is equally divided between public law and cases of international child abduction (including Spain, USA, Germany, Israel, Netherlands, Pakistan and Japan). In addition he is concerned with mental health law, best interest jurisdiction and cases concerning the protection of older people. He acts for and against local Authorities in cases of Local Government law, Licensing and Education law (including special educational needs). He is also concerned with the provision of training and also lectures and gives seminars.
Publications Co-author of "Civil Partnership - The New Law" Jordans (2005)
"We are family: Children and Civil Partnership" June 2005 Childright: Journal of Law and Policy; University of Essex
Appointments Chairman Employment Tribunals (since 2002) Significant cases include the following Employment Siegler v Worthing Borough Council [2004] - Successfully represented the leader of the Council and the Council defending a claim of sex discrimination by the Chief Executive which involved new law concerning: - Article 10 (Freedom of Expression) - the Status of Council's Monitoring Officers - the liability of Councillors and the Leader of the Council Negotiated settlement of £160,000 in age discrimination case (2007) Family Law Irwin v Irwin [2001] 1FLR 178 - (on questions of jurisdiction and change of domicile) Re: B; S v B (Jurisdiction: Child Abduction) (2007) Co-joined cases concerning Jurisdiction under Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 and the transfer of children in care in England and Wales to the care of the state of Colorado Re: EGN & DGN (Jurisdiction: Child Abduction) (2007) Transfer of children under Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 from Care in the state of Israel to Care in England and Wales including disputed jurisdiction between Rabbinical courts in Israel and Courts in Scotland and England & Wales. Consideration of Articles 8 & 9 European Convention on question of religious upbringing of children. W v V (2005) with David Hart QC - Role of child's guardian in investigation into Factitious Illness Syndrome by proxy Discrimination Re: A (2006) Reasonable adjustment in case under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 concerning the ability of a hearing impaired person to participate in Council meetings.
Licensing Chief Constable of Sussex v Stoner (2003) - Compatibility of costs regime in licensing with Article 6 Other information VAT Registration No: 620 5647 57 | 
