Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Family: Matrimonial Finance - Northern (Bar)
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
The clerks make the difference. Good response times and always someone in hand to help.
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.
The clerks will endeavour to accommodate any booking to meet the client's needs.
The clerks are very responsive and efficient.
Notable practitioners
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.
Karl is meticulous in his approach, has a superb grasp of the issues and is a thrilling advocate.
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.
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.
Simply as good as it gets. There is nobody better than her dealing with financial remedy work in the North West.
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.
A superb advocate and a highly experienced barrister.
A hugely able barrister at the top of his field.
Charles is THE senior junior in Manchester when it comes to complex financial remedy cases.
Charles has a fabulous presence and is excellent on his feet.
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.
An excellent barrister with gravitas.
Claire is a calm and confident barrister who is highly regarded and very experienced.
Ms Grundy is approachable, professional and has in-depth knowledge of her cases.
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.
Fran is a master at her craft - excellent in all ways and so down to earth and personable with the clients.
Frances is truly excellent in her field, very reliable, and her excellence and knowledge is very impressive.
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.
Lorraine Cavanagh is technically excellent.
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.
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.
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.
Neil is fantastic, a strong advocate, commercially aware, friendly and provides excellent client service levels.
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.
The most charismatic advocate you will ever see.
A powerhouse of a litigator and totally unflappable.
A stunning advocate and an absolute pleasure to deal with.
Sam is very approachable, friendly and no nonsense. Sam provides very clear advice and is a strong advocate.
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.
Simon Charles is thorough, meticulous and hard working. He is easily accessible and will make time to speak out of hours.
Simon's advocacy is highly effective, and he is very well regarded by Judges and opponents.
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.
Archna's paperwork is first-rate and her presentation at court is always calm, measured and persuasive.
Archna works hard on each case to achieve the best outcome for the client.
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.
An excellent advocate who is able to put clients at ease due to her competent nature.
Elisabeth has a meticulous eye for detail and always argues a case absolutely perfectly.
A silk in the making.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hannah is a brilliant advocate with a real skill in client service.
Her level of expertise is invaluable and she is an exceptional advocate.
Hannah is always able to manage even the most difficult of clients and cases with ease and consideration.
Hannah Wood is fabulous - a class act.
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.
I found Kate extremely diligent and approachable.
Kate is very confident, very personable and very experienced which is great for clients.
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.
He is a calm and confident advocate, very knowledgeable and his written work is exceptional.
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.
Callum was excellent both with the clients and also in his communication.
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.
Eleanor is an exceptionally strong advocate who always achieves the right outcomes for clients.