Contact number
(0121) 236 0863Chambers Review
St Ives Chambers is a well-established and highly regarded family set. Its expansive bench offers expertise across the full range of matrimonial finance and children cases. Its barristers act for parents, children and local authorities in both public and private children matters, from complex adoption and placement matters involving asylum seekers, to sensitive issues concerning sexual abuse and non-accidental injuries. Members handle an array of matrimonial finance matters, including prenuptial agreements in addition to financial remedy cases featuring complex asset structures, pensions and maintenance orders. One source notes that "St Ives Chambers has real quality at every level of the team."
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team is approachable, always quick to respond and always keen to find a way to help."
"The clerking team are immaculate in their service to solicitors."
"The clerks are responsive and extremely efficient. I always feel that they go the extra mile."
"The team is approachable, always quick to respond and always keen to find a way to help."
"The clerking team are immaculate in their service to solicitors."
"The clerks are responsive and extremely efficient. I always feel that they go the extra mile."
Notable Practitioners
Andrew Day maintains a strong reputation for financial and property disputes. He has notable experience of handling cases involving onshore and offshore trust assets, dissipation of assets, businesses and pensions, and cases arising from criminal confiscation proceedings and tax penalty exposure. In addition to serving as an advocate, he is a qualified arbitrator.
"Andrew is highly articulate and has an amazing eye for detail. He is a perfectionist and is thorough in his preparation."
"He is extremely caring and diligent and always works hard to achieve the best possible outcome in any given case."
"He's very thorough and exceptionally quick to pick up the details."
Elizabeth Isaacs KC is an impressive silk with an excellent reputation in complex care proceedings, which is reinforced by her former career in child protection social work. She is regularly instructed in cases involving death, fabricated illness or serious injury, and also handles the more intricate aspects of private law such as surrogacy and same-sex parenting issues.
"Elizabeth is a real powerhouse of a silk. She's strategic, tactical, utterly tenacious in her advocacy and really at the top of her game."
"An inspirational leader who is tenacious and her preparation is off the scale. She is nothing short of impressive."
"She is a fierce fighter for her client."
"A fearless advocate who has a deserved reputation as one of the best family silks in the region."
Justine Lattimer is an expert in public law children matters, including serious injury, abuse and grooming cases. Her caseload includes matters with complex medical evidence and vulnerable clients. She is held in high regard by instructing solicitors for her ability to communicate well with clients.
"Justine is a top-class practitioner."
Mark Cooper-Hall provides local authorities, guardians, parents and interveners with high-quality representation in family matters. He focuses on public law and has dealt with the full raft of charges, from non-accidental injury through to murder and sexual abuse. He is able to assist vulnerable clients, including children and those in high-risk groups.
"A polished and impressive junior, well-liked by local authorities for complex and challenging matters. A real market leader."
"He's very good at identifying the key points in a case and putting those over with real skill and clarity. He has a delightful manner in court and is highly effective."
Matthew Maynard represents parents, local authorities and children in complicated care proceedings which often concern severe non-accidental injuries, fabricated illness and child death. He is noted for his private law practice, which has a particular slant towards surrogacy matters and international movement of children.
"He's always on top of every aspect and always has a pleasant manner in court, but is a highly effective advocate."
"Matthew is one of the best juniors in the Midlands."
Nicholas Starks is an excellent advocate who largely focuses on multifaceted financial provision cases arising from divorce as well as under TOLATA, Schedule 1 applications and the Civil Partnership Act. He is regularly instructed in disputes of a high-value and complex nature concerning farms, businesses and other kinds of assets. He shows further expertise in nuptial settlements.
"Nicholas is quite simply outstanding. He is a leader in his field. He is a superb advocate, impeccably prepared and strategic in his thinking."
"Nick is an outstanding advocate. He is clear, concise and highly articulate."
"His capacity to absorb detail is superb and his advocacy skills are amazing."
Timothy Bowe KC is adept at handling cases of complexity involving forensic medical evidence and analysis as well as working on cases regarding child abuse and international surrogacy, and also represents the local authority.
"A superb leading counsel. He is extremely well prepared, pragmatic, sensible, focused and has a really lovely manner with his clients."
"He's impressive to watch on his feet and his submissions are like poetry."
Tracy Lakin is a Children Act specialist representing local authorities, guardians, parents and children in public and private childcare proceedings. She has significant experience in cases that involve aspects such as serious injury, sexual abuse and accidental injury.
"A silk in all but name."
"Tracy is fabulous."
Charmian Jackson is a talented advocate whose practice includes both public and private family law. Among other matters, she has noted experience of financial remedies cases that involve individuals with disabilities, debt and state benefits considerations.Her practice also extends to charges of abuse and parental alienation.
"Charmian is superb. She is thorough and has an eye for detail. She quickly builds a rapport with clients who love her down-to-earth style and clear advice."
"I am always reassured to have Charmian on the case; she achieves outstanding results."
Gregory Rogers focuses on care work, including cases involving severe non-accidental injury and sexual abuse. He provides additional experience in matters regarding child injury, where complex medical evidence is often necessitated.
"Greg is a smooth operator, who speaks with authority and gravitas."
Matthew Fiddy acts in a range of public and private law matters where he represents both children and parents. He is increasingly recognised for his handling of cases involving physical abuse, care and placement orders, and international child abductions.
"A rising star."
Tom Harrill is a well-respected junior barrister with a strong practice in all manner of cases relating to children. He is instructed in both private and public law proceedings, including complex injury cases, challenging disputes involving parental rights and matters with cross-border elements.
"He combines great technical knowledge with the ability to make it digestible."
"Tom Harrill is an extremely bright and very smooth advocate."
Moira Ashton-Walsh is an expert in private law Children Act matters. She regularly acts in cases involving challenging issues such as alienation and relocation, and in complex and long-running contact matters.
"Moira is incredibly persuasive and she is very influential in the courtroom."
Nina Bache is a child law specialist and experienced advocate who receives instructions in public and private law cases that regularly involve severe abuse and call for complex medical evidence. She has a particular interest in representing children, although she also works with parents, guardians and local authorities and is known for taking on cases that concern particularly vulnerable parties.
"A well-respected senior junior."
"Nina handles matters extremely well. She's very unflappable, which is extremely important."
Samuel Coe has a growing practice in family law. He is well versed in handling complex children matters including non-accidental injuries and physical and sexual abuse cases.
"Sam is an exceptional barrister, who truly cares about the clients he represents."
"Sam is highly regarded and clients are always impressed with him."
"Sam is prompt and clear in his communication with clients and provides excellent customer service, including being friendly, accommodating and attentive to the case and the client's needs."
Tom Lawal is a well-respected practitioner. He has considerable experience of representing clients in complex, highly sensitive private children law matters.
"Tom has a perfect knack of making anyone feel immediately at ease, but is also a forceful advocate."