Department profile
St John's Buildings

Family: Children

UK Bar Guide 2026 : Northern (Bar)


St John's Buildings

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Family: Children - Northern (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

St John's Buildings maintains a prominent presence on the Northern Circuit, covering the whole spectrum of children and matrimonial finance matters. The set represents high net worth individuals in high-value financial remedy cases, as well as children, parents and local authorities in complex children matters. The barristers advise on novel cases that challenge existing legislation and are highly experienced in cross-jurisdictional mandates. A source comments: "St John's Buildings has a stellar group of individuals whose credibility and position as a key player is unquestionable." Another adds: "The set has a strong divorce and finance presence in the North." A further interviewee praises the set for having a "very responsive team with well-prepared and talented barristers."

Paul Laverty is the senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks make the difference. Good response times and always someone in hand to help.

    Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • It is helpful that the clerks have a good understanding as to the best counsel suited for certain cases, especially if there is a complexity to the case. The clerks are very responsive.

    Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks will endeavour to accommodate any booking to meet the client's needs.

    Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are very responsive and efficient.

    Family: Children respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsKarl Rowley
    Star IndividualsKarl Rowley

    Karl Rowley

    Karl Rowley KC is a highly regarded silk with an impressive track record in children matters involving shaken babies and allegations of sexual abuse and failure to thrive. He regularly acts for parents, grandparents and local authorities. Rowley is renowned for his top-quality advocacy.

    • An absolute tour de force.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Karl is meticulous in his approach, has a superb grasp of the issues and is a thrilling advocate.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • Star IndividualsSally Harrison
    Star IndividualsSally Harrison

    Sally Harrison

    Sally Harrison KC is hugely respected for her skill at taking on high-profile and high-value matrimonial finance matters. Harrison has cultivated a great reputation representing high net worth individuals in High Court cases and in relation to prenuptial agreements. She uses her wealth of experience in the area to assist in complex cases involving allegations of physical harm and non-disclosure, among others.

    • The best of the best.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Sally is the best barrister dealing with HNW work inside or outside of London. SHe is an extremely strong and forceful advocate but at the same time has a very patient manner.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Simply as good as it gets. There is nobody better than her dealing with financial remedy work in the North West.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Charles P Eastwood
    Band 1Charles P Eastwood

    Charles P Eastwood

    Charles Eastwood is a financial remedy specialist well known for his attention to detail and his firm approach on clients' behalf. He represents high net worth clients in private financial dispute resolution proceedings, often concerning shared trust and company assets, as well as inherited wealth. He acts for parties on both sides of the docket in Children Act claims.

    • An absolute class act.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • A superb advocate and a highly experienced barrister.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • A hugely able barrister at the top of his field.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Charles is THE senior junior in Manchester when it comes to complex financial remedy cases.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Charles has a fabulous presence and is excellent on his feet.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Clare Grundy
    Band 1Clare Grundy

    Clare Grundy

    Clare Grundy is an experienced family law expert who represents children, guardians, parents and local authorities in a range of sensitive cases. She regularly deals with allegations of serious injury or sexual abuse. Grundy is known for her ability to advocate on behalf of vulnerable clients.

    • Clare is awesome with clients.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • An excellent barrister with gravitas.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Claire is a calm and confident barrister who is highly regarded and very experienced.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Ms Grundy is approachable, professional and has in-depth knowledge of her cases.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Frances Heaton
    Band 1Frances Heaton

    Frances Heaton

    Frances Heaton KC is a leading silk in family law who is regularly instructed in the most challenging public law children matters. Her practice includes cases involving sexual and physical abuse allegations, as well as cross-jurisdictional relocation. She is adept at reviewing medical evidence.

    • Frances is meticulous in her prep and wonderful with clients.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Fran is a master at her craft - excellent in all ways and so down to earth and personable with the clients.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Frances is truly excellent in her field, very reliable, and her excellence and knowledge is very impressive.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Lorraine Cavanagh
    Band 1Lorraine Cavanagh

    Lorraine Cavanagh

    Lorraine Cavanagh KC has a notable public children law practice and is accustomed to handling complicated and law-changing cases that include allegations of sexual abuse and female genital mutilation. She also advises on wardship for children with major psychological issues. She has notable expertise pertaining to adoption.

    • Ms Cavanagh is approachable and is a good communicator.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Lorraine Cavanagh is technically excellent.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Lorraine thinks outside of the box and will fight tooth and nail for your client. She has great client skills and always has the ear of the judge.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Neil Montaldo
    Band 1Neil Montaldo

    Neil Montaldo

    Neil Montaldo is particularly recognised for his handling of high-value financial matters. He is noted for his specialism in Schedule 1 applications, as well as complex matrimonial finance matters involving trusts and other shared assets.

    • Neil is a trusted go-to who is particularly adept at those cases involving high net worth individuals and complex assets.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Neil instils confidence in clients and immediately puts them at ease. He can pick up the most challenging of cases and make it appear straightforward.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Neil is fantastic, a strong advocate, commercially aware, friendly and provides excellent client service levels.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Samantha Hillas
    Band 1Samantha Hillas

    Samantha Hillas

    Samantha Hillas KC is well regarded for her expertise in handling notable matrimonial finance cases, often of considerable value. She routinely handles cases involving trusts, commercial entities and bankruptcy matters. Additionally, her expertise extends to Schedule 1 cases.

    • Sam is exceptional for client service and her ability to instil confidence in the most challenging cases. She is robust, pragmatic and commercially minded.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • The most charismatic advocate you will ever see.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • A powerhouse of a litigator and totally unflappable.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • A stunning advocate and an absolute pleasure to deal with.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Sam is very approachable, friendly and no nonsense. Sam provides very clear advice and is a strong advocate.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Simon Charles
    Band 1Simon Charles

    Simon Charles

    Simon Charles is experienced in handling a range of matrimonial finance matters, particularly financial remedy applications involving corporate assets. He is also adept in cases involving Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989.

    • Simon Charles has definitely elevated himself to be one of the go to complex financial remedy barristers in Manchester. He is exceptional at dealing with tricky technical issues.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Simon Charles is thorough, meticulous and hard working. He is easily accessible and will make time to speak out of hours.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Simon's advocacy is highly effective, and he is very well regarded by Judges and opponents.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Archna Dawar
    Band 2Archna Dawar

    Archna Dawar

    Archna Dawar specialises in matrimonial finance work and has a solid reputation for advising on cross-cultural issues. She often takes on disputes where trusts, properties and land and pension assets are at stake.

    • An excellent advocate, well prepared, diligent and able to find solutions in complex situations.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Archna's paperwork is first-rate and her presentation at court is always calm, measured and persuasive.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Archna works hard on each case to achieve the best outcome for the client.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Elisabeth Cooper
    Band 2Elisabeth Cooper

    Elisabeth Cooper

    Elisabeth Cooper is a well-regarded matrimonial finance barrister who focuses her practice on financial remedy disputes and private children matters. She possesses a wealth of experience in same-sex divorce proceedings, including issues in relation to the Equality Act and fairness within the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.

    • Elisabeth Cooper prepares meticulously.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • An excellent advocate who is able to put clients at ease due to her competent nature.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Elisabeth has a meticulous eye for detail and always argues a case absolutely perfectly.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • A silk in the making.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Frances de Navarro
    Band 2Frances de Navarro

    Frances de Navarro

    Frances de Navarro is a prolific family law junior who specialises in financial remedy proceedings, particularly those involving high net worth individuals. Her cases cover a range of complex matters, including company valuations and freezing orders, and often have cross-border aspects.

    • Frances de Navarro is great with clients and judges love her.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Frances pays attention to all of the implications of a case. Her written preparation in terms of notes is excellent and she is more than willing to fight her client's corner in court.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • She can give pragmatic advice from the outset, thereby making her conferences invaluable and a huge cost-save for the client that chose to follow her pragmatic advice. She can cut to the chase.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Hannah Wood
    Band 2Hannah Wood

    Hannah Wood

    Hannah Wood acts in a wide range of challenging financial remedy cases and disputes arising from separations. She regularly acts for high net worth individuals.

    • Her client care is excellent, and she takes a helpful team approach with the solicitors instructing her.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Hannah is a brilliant advocate with a real skill in client service.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Her level of expertise is invaluable and she is an exceptional advocate.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Hannah is always able to manage even the most difficult of clients and cases with ease and consideration.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Hannah Wood is fabulous - a class act.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Kate Burnell
    Band 2Kate Burnell

    Kate Burnell

    Kate Burnell is a highly regarded children law focused silk. She is vastly experienced in a wide range of matters including allegations of abuse, forced marriage and abduction, among numerous other issues. She is well versed at acting for the children, parents and local authorities.

    • Kate Burnell is grounded and can do the technical work and make sure she's still there for the client.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • I found Kate extremely diligent and approachable.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Kate is very confident, very personable and very experienced which is great for clients.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Shaun Spencer
    Band 2Shaun Spencer

    Shaun Spencer

    Shaun Spencer KC has a notable reputation for children work, regularly representing parents, children and local authorities in matters concerning child deaths, deprivation of liberty, and sexual abuse. He is also experienced in handling cross-jurisdictional cases.

    • Mr Spencer is an outstanding advocate as you would expect from a KC. What sets him apart is his client service and his commitment to working with and developing others.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • He is a calm and confident advocate, very knowledgeable and his written work is exceptional.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Callum Brook
    Band 3Callum Brook

    Callum Brook

    Callum Brook is a highly experienced public law practitioner. He has a wide range of expertise and is frequently sought out by local authorities to act in cases involving serious allegations.

    • Callum Brook is a superb advocate with a great depth of knowledge.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Callum was excellent both with the clients and also in his communication.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Eleanor Keehan
    Band 3Eleanor Keehan

    Eleanor Keehan

    Eleanor Keehan has considerable experience and is recognised for her expertise as an advocate in family law. She regularly deals with care proceedings, deprivation of liberty matters, and abuse cases.

    • Eleanor is very bright, personable and an excellent advocate.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar
    • Eleanor is an exceptionally strong advocate who always achieves the right outcomes for clients.

      Family: Children respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at St John's Buildings (17)

Northern (Bar)

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