DEPARTMENT PROFILE

Stewarts

Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth

9 ranked individuals

Band 1

High Net Worth 2021 View ranking table

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department information

Ranked Individuals

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Stewarts' family team handles complex family matters and is particularly well regarded amongst sources for its deep bench and strength at all levels of qualification.

A barrister enthuses: "Stewarts really are just the best of the best. They are ably supported by a brilliant team of lawyers. Everyone at the firm plays their part in providing a Rolls-Royce service to the client." Another family barrister says that "they are all absolutely first-class, I think they're best firm for divorce by a long way in terms of the strength of their team, they are fantastic - all the junior people are absolutely fantastic, so helpful. Working for Stewarts is a dream because it's such a good team."

Notable practitioners

Carly Kinch specialises in advising wealthy individuals on complex financial issues related to family matters. A source enthuses: "She is an absolute superstar and has excellent judgement." A barrister explains: "She has very strong interpersonal skills and is very clever. She really understands what makes clients tick and is a highly effective negotiator. She is completely unflappable and inspires total confidence."

Debbie Chism is "first in class, a class act," enthuses a source. Chism advises wealthy clients on complex financial matters within family law. A barrister explains: "She is very, very astute. She really examines her cases from every conceivable angle and she sees the pitfalls and solves them before the other side sees them."

Emma Hatley has a "phenomenal reputation" for her work with high net worth individuals in divorce and financial remedy work. An interviewee enthuses: "She is obviously fabulous, you can't get better than her. She is the all-round star." Another source explains: "She is so sharp, she is a really bright woman and is absolutely dedicated to her attention to clients."

Helen Ward represents high net worth clients in complex family matters. A barrister says: "Her mastery of every detail down to every letter is second to none, she is an incredible lawyer." Another source enthuses: "If there was a lifetime achievement award, she would have had it ten times over. She's the best, she is so clever, every single issue that comes up she has thought about from ten different angles." This source continues: "She is a really, really class act like few others, she is absolutely tremendous."

Matthew Humphries advises wealthy clients on divorce and financial remedy matters. A source notes: "He is as good as it gets in cut-and-thrust litigation. He is really good at positioning clients strongly in a courtroom battle." A fellow family solicitor says he is "unflappable and pragmatic" and another interviewee notes that "he is very bright, very strategic and also approachable."

Richard Hogwood is "an exceptional lawyer," says a source, who adds: "He's incredibly thoughtful and will fight your corner like no other." Hogwood advises high net worth clients on the financial elements of divorce. A fellow solicitor says: "He has an enormous intellect and can grasp inter-jurisdictional matters in a way that is quite humbling."

Sam Longworth advises high net worth clients on a range of family law matters including complex divorce matters with international issues. A source notes: "He is good at masterminding complex cases." Another interviewee says: "He is very intelligent and a good tactician."

Stephen Foster leads the firm's divorce and family department and advises on complex international family matters. Several sources praise his strategic ability. One interviewee says: "Foster’s strategic oversight is second to none. He is commercially brilliant and tactically astute." Another source confirms: "He is absolutely fantastic. He has a really strategic brain and has great empathy with clients."

Toby Atkinson advises high net worth individuals on a comprehensive range of family law matters including financial and children matters. A source says: "He is just superb. He has high intelligence and a brilliant approach to complex cases."

Department Information

This content is provided by Stewarts.

Overview

We are the pre-eminent divorce and family practice in the UK, ranked No.1 in both The Legal 500 and Chambers. We act for high net worth individuals based in the UK and overseas.

Our partners are regarded as “the leading lights of the profession”, spearheading a department of unrivalled strength and depth advising on all aspects of family law.

We take time to understand the issues our clients face, and help them achieve the best possible outcome both in relation to their children and their finances.

Our lawyers have particular expertise in unravelling complicated trusts, identifying assets held within companies and advising on complex cross-border issues.

When required, we are supported by experts in our Tax Litigation and Trust and Probate Litigation teams, and select law firms in other jurisdictions.

Our team is at the forefront of taking a collaborative approach to divorce and family issues and, when appropriate, we use arbitration and mediation as an alternative to court proceedings. A number of our partners are accredited mediators and arbitrators.