Christopher Hames KC

Financial Remedies

International Children Law

Private Children Law

Non-Court Dispute Resolution

Arbitration

Collaborative Law

Early Neutral Evaluation

Private FDR

Direct Access

Christopher is a fearless and persuasive advocate, combining formidable strategic and tactical thinking with a keen forensic insight. He is a specialist in all areas of international law, with the knowledge and experience to take on complex issues of jurisdiction, finance and movement of children.

Christopher’s practice involves resolving difficult international issues concerning both children and substantial financial resources, routinely tackling novel jurisdictional dilemmas in the Court of Appeal and the High Court whether this be in private or public law children, divorce or financial remedies cases.

He was Chair of the CALA since 2018 and regularly participates at international conferences. As Chair, he has been involved in extensive consultations about practice and procedure following the President’s Guidance and on the post Covit-19 lockdown court environment. In February 2020 he gave evidence to the House of Lords EU Justice Sub-Committee on behalf of the Bar Council on “Civil Justice Co-operation after Brexit. His evidence ranged over both divorce/finance and children.

Finance:

His practice covers mainly HNW individuals and cases with an international element including disputes over jurisdiction and  forum non conveniens. He has appeared in leading cases concerning legal service payment orders, avoidance of disposition orders and the impact of confiscation orders in financial remedy cases.

Private Children Law:

His private law children work usually involves relocation or an international element. He was lead advocate in Re H-N the leading authority on domestic abuse and controlling behaviour in children cases.

Non-court dispute resolution:

Christopher is an experienced arbitrator in both children and money cases. He is able to combine in one arbitral hearing both issues. He is also available to conduct  pFDRs.

Public Children Law:

He has advised local authorities on questions of jurisdiction and placement abroad, including international adoption. He represents parents and guardians only where there is an international element.

Cases:

Please see a selection of reported cases in which Christopher Hames KC was involved.

A & B (Separate Representation), Re [2024] EWHC 2834 (Fam)

Re AB and CD (Children) (No 2) (1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention: Joinder; Set Aside)  [2025] EWHC 1463

A v M & Ors [2024] EWHC 2020 (Fam)

E, F And G (Interim Child Arrangements) [2024] EWCA Civ 874

A & Ors (Care Proceedings: Inherent Jurisdiction: Order for Return to Austria), Re [2024] EWFC 178)