Fiona Shackleton

Fiona is renowned for her top level practice advising high profile and ultra-high and high net worth private individuals in relation to complex and confidential divorce proceedings, many of them with an international element.

Fiona has played a key role in a great many landmark cases, including more recently Standish v Standish and Helliwell v Entwistle, and most notably the landmark case of Potanin v Potanina, where she represented one of Russia’s richest men, Vladimir Potanin. The Judgment achieved substantial change for those seeking to bring applications under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984.

Fiona has earned a variety of accolades over the years and is regularly named amongst the top legal names in the country. She is regarded by industry observers and her peers as Britain’s most feared and revered divorce lawyer. Amongst her peers who work with or against her, Fiona’s honesty and integrity is legendary, and coupled with her acute mastery of the law she is respected as commanding an unparalleled position as the top divorce lawyer in London.

Fiona was appointed to the rank of LVO in the New Year’s Honours List 2006. In July 20210, Fiona was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Exeter and in December 2010 Fiona was made a Life Peer. In September 2011 she was appointed an Honorary Bencher of Inner Temple. Fiona received the Freedom of the City of London in 2019. Fiona was an inaugural member of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAFL) serving from 1988 for over 20 years. Fiona has been awarded the prestigious Outstanding Achievement in Legal Services prize at The Legal 500 UK Awards.

Fiona has used the knowledge garnered from 40 years in the profession to undertake a research project in human relationships “The Shackleton Project” with a view to educating people in making the right decision for marriage.

Qualified: 1980. Brecher & Co 1981-84, Partner 1983. Farrer & Co as a Partner 1984-2000. Payne Hicks Beach since 2001 as a Partner.