JUNIOR PROFILE

Fiona Hay

UK Bar 2026

Harcourt Chambers

Ranked in 2 practice areas

Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution

All Circuits

1 year ranked

Family: Matrimonial Finance

South Eastern (Bar)

11 years ranked

Family: Matrimonial Finance

London (Bar)

9 years ranked

About

Provided by Harcourt Chambers

Practice Areas

Family Finance

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Direct Access

Career

Called 1989. Fiona focuses exclusively on financial remedy cases where she applies her widely recognised financial expertise to secure practical solutions for her clients, particularly in cases featuring disputes over pension entitlements. Her approach balances empathy and support for her clients with robust and skilful advocacy.

Fiona has a strong interest in Alternative Dispute Resolution. She is an experienced Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR) advocate and her calm, pragmatic approach has earned plaudits. Fiona also sits as a judge in Private FDRs – a mechanism that she strongly favours for its effectiveness in delivering workable agreements with minimal distress to the parties involved.

Since January 2013, she has been authorised to sit in the High Court, pursuant to s9 Senior Courts Act 1981 and she has been a Recorder on the Midland Circuit since 2009.

Fiona lectures for Jordan’s Family Law on issues relating to pensions and divorce.

Professional Memberships

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Pensions Advisory Group

BSc Chemistry and Law, Exon

Publications

Pensions on Divorce: A Practitioner’s Handbook, the leading textbook on pensions and divorce, published by Sweet and Maxwell, 2018.

A Guide to the Treatment of Pensions on Divorce –The report of the Pension Advisory Group –Fiona is a committee member of the Pension Advisory Group and a co-author of the report

Pensions and Equality [2007] Family Law 310.

Pension on Divorce–Practical Law, Thomson Reuters

Pensions on Divorce –Westlaw

Capitalising periodical payments; lump sum or pension share?–Sweet and Maxwell White Paper 2013

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Family: Matrimonial Finance - South Eastern (Bar)

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Fiona Hay is a senior junior who is esteemed for her expertise in financial relief and particularly sought after for her knowledge of cases involving shareholdings and pensions. She has published a popular handbook on the subject. In addition to appearing as an advocate, she sits as a deputy High Court judge and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

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Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution - All Circuits

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Fiona Hay is a financial remedies specialist, who is a strong believer in out-of-court settlement. She regularly sits as a judge in Private FDRs and is recommended as an arbitrator.

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Family: Matrimonial Finance - London (Bar)

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Fiona Hay is an experienced matrimonial finance practitioner who is particularly noted for her work in cases concerning pension complications. Her practice also boasts a strong international element, particularly as regards Part III proceedings. She has been a Recorder on the Midlands Circuit since 2009.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Fiona has a way of navigating through the most complex cases with a meticulous approach.
Family: Matrimonial FinanceUK Bar
Fiona is brilliant, a pleasure to work with; she is calm and highly skilled both within and outside of the courtroom.
Family: Matrimonial FinanceUK Bar
Fiona's experience puts everyone at ease. She is calm and her knowledge is extraordinary.
Family: Matrimonial FinanceUK Bar
Fiona is always very well prepared and ready to deal with issues that come up.
Family: Matrimonial FinanceUK Bar
Fiona is just so amazing at what she does, both as counsel and as a private FDR judge.
Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute ResolutionUK Bar
She's very straightforward, very sensible and very measured.
Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute ResolutionUK Bar