James Cowdell, Editor - Chambers UK Bar

James joined Chambers and Partners in November 2000 and has spent the vast majority of his time in the company as Editor of the Bar Guide. Prior to joining Chambers he worked for a number of years as a barrister and following that was employed by a City law firm. He studied Modern History at Queen's College, University of Oxford.

Simon Maydon Associate Director Saunderson House

Simon’s specialisms centre around pensions and investments, financial protection and long term tax planning. His clients are largely made up ofbarristersat a variety of chambers across the Inns of Court and solicitors at firms such as Freshfields, Herbert Smith Freehills, Stephenson Harwood and Nabarro (now CMS). He also helps accountants, Private Equity partners, entrepreneurs and some retired folks. Simon loves bringing order and simplicity to his clients’ financial affairs, giving them the peace of mind that we have considered everything that they would otherwise need to think about themselves. His aim is to free up their time to allow them to focus on their own work, families and personal interests. Outside of work, Simon’s attention is on his wife and two young boys, and planning holidays to visit their family around the world. He also tries to squeeze in a healthy dose of test cricket and southern hemisphere rugby.

Martin Ward Barrister Fourteen

Martin draws upon his extensive experience of not only family law but also his commercial and business law background to offer specialist advice and advocacy with an emphasis on achieving pragmatic and cost-effective outcomes in both private children and family finance disputes. In appropriate cases, Martin will accept instructions directly from private clients under the Bar’s Public Access scheme. Martin is a qualified Arbitrator (MCIArb) and member of the Institute of Family Law Arbitrators.

Victoria Wilson Barrister Goldsmith Chambers

Victoria is a family law barrister practising principally in financial remedy and private law children cases, including cases with international elements and those involving significant factual and legal complexity. She is the elected 2020 Chair of the Wellbeing at the Bar Working Group which carries out work on behalf of all barristers, clerks and staff in England and Wales, and the Chair of the Family Law Bar Association Wellbeing Subcommittee. She is also a family mediator and the co-author of the England and Wales chapter inThe Variegated Landscape of Mediation: a Comparative Study of Mediation Regulation and Practices in Europe and the World(Manon Schonewille and Dr Fred Schonewille [eds.], The Hague, Eleven International Publishing 2014). She was recently named as an inspiring woman lawyer due to her contribution to law. She has been appointed as a LawCare champion in recognition of her ongoing contribution towards promoting good mental health and wellbeing in the legal community. Her recent articles include Our Wellbeing Stock, Counsel Magazine, 2020 and Wellbeing: What Has Happened And Where Are We Now? Family Affairs, 2020.