The need to undertake effective marine restoration, in addition to ongoing protection and mitigation measures, is now well recognised. Research is underway into best-practice methods for restoring ecosystems from the biophysical, economic and social perspectives. However, the prevailing legal conditions in a target site may ultimately determine the feasibility of implementing otherwise best-practice restoration activities. This paper presents the results of a literature review into the legal barriers and opportunities for ecological restoration, analysed in the context of the unique challenges in marine environments. Research into the legal factors affecting restoration in the marine space has been limited to date, with most of the current body of literature analysing the terrestrial environment, however marine ecosystems are characterised by conditions that may impact the feasibility of restoration under current legal arrangements. The results of the literature review will be analysed through the lens of these features of the marine environment. Clarifying the challenges and opportunities for restoration in the marine space is an important step to assist proponents seeking to undertake restoration in future, and to support the case for legal reform to facilitate effective restoration activities in line with the need to upscale efforts.