Family/Matrimonial
UK Bar Guide 2025 : South Eastern (Bar)
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(01273) 625625Chambers Review
1 Crown Office Row's Brighton chambers boast solid expertise in a broad array of family law matters. The set's barristers specialise in public and private children law matters, including care proceedings and parental alienation issues, as well as matrimonial finance cases. Barristers at the set are regularly instructed by vulnerable clients, such as abuse victims and people with learning and other difficulties. A source comments: "The set has such a strong team that there is always a suitably qualified barrister (usually multiple) to instruct".
The practice director is David Bingham.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"There is a super-speedy clerking team at 1 Crown Office Row. The clerks are always available to speak on the phone or whizz over a response to an email, whatever the query."
"The clerks are amazing and I have a fantastic relationship with all of them. It is the best clerking team, which you never have to chase."
"The clerks are truly excellent at providing a fantastic service. They are responsive seemingly day and night when urgent matters arise."
"The clerks at 1 Crown Office Row are first class. Always available to speak and willing to help at very little notice."
"The service, speed of response, organisation and diligence of the clerks at 1 Crown Office Row Brighton is excellent. They go above and beyond."
"There is a super-speedy clerking team at 1 Crown Office Row. The clerks are always available to speak on the phone or whizz over a response to an email, whatever the query."
"The clerks are amazing and I have a fantastic relationship with all of them. It is the best clerking team, which you never have to chase."
"The clerks are truly excellent at providing a fantastic service. They are responsive seemingly day and night when urgent matters arise."
"The clerks at 1 Crown Office Row are first class. Always available to speak and willing to help at very little notice."
"The service, speed of response, organisation and diligence of the clerks at 1 Crown Office Row Brighton is excellent. They go above and beyond."
Notable Practitioners
Eleanor Battie is instructed in private and public children matters in every tier of the family court. She regularly represents parents and local authorities in care proceedings, often involving difficult international aspects, abuse allegations or conflicting medical opinions.
"Eleanor's advice is pragmatic. She is brilliant on her feet and really makes her clients feel supported in the most challenging of times."
"Eleanor is excellent counsel. She is both thorough and knowledgeable."
"Eleanor is a tough negotiator with fabulous client care and communication skills."
Pegah Sharghy is acclaimed for her specialism in family finance. She is able to handle the most complex of financial proceedings involving inheritance, company and children concerns, as well as offshore assets.
"Pegah provides excellent advocacy. She is very thorough and detailed."
"Pegah's attention to detail is exceptional. She has a photographic memory when it comes to grasping facts."
"Pegah is a highly skilled and tenacious advocate. She very quickly gets to the core of each case and identifies the strongest way to argue."
Francesca Wiley KC is a well-regarded silk who has a broad practice in family law. She has expertise both in public and private children law, often acting in cases with international elements.
"Francesca is a brilliant advocate. She has a wonderful ability to give discerning and pragmatic advice, which allows her to cut through even the most challenging of cases."
"Fran is an excellent advocate and is always willing to discuss a case to ensure it progresses in the right way."
Richard Ager is a former solicitor with a strong practice both in public and private children work. He offers extensive experience within the public law arena, including in non-accidental injury and fabricated induced illness cases. He also has expertise in domestic violence and injunction proceedings.
"Richard is a wonderful person to instruct to represent vulnerable parents dealing with the trauma and difficulty of care proceedings."
"Richard is thorough in his preparation and cross-examination."
"Richard is a committed and knowledgeable advocate. His ability to remain empathetic while delivering difficult but pragmatic advice is exceptional."
Clare Ciborowska handles complex public and private children law matters. She has extensive experience representing children, parents and local authorities in care proceedings involving allegations of non-accidental injuries, fabricated illness, coercive behaviour and parental alienation.
"Clare has a robust knowledge of law and practice but she is also a very kind and reassuring barrister to instruct in emotionally delicate matters."
"Clare Ciborowska is a first-class advocate and the first choice for guardians."
"Clare is a tenacious advocate. She is incredibly knowledgeable and is able to give challenging and pragmatic advice in a compassionate manner."