LAWYER PROFILE
Fiona Shackleton

Fiona Shackleton

UK 2026

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Ranked in 2 practice areas

About

Provided by Payne Hicks Beach LLP

UK

Practice Areas

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.

Most recently, Fiona led the team who achieved a significant victory in the landmark case of Potanin v Potanina, representing Mr 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, given an honorary doctorate by Exeter University in 2010 and made a Life Peer that year. 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 do a research project in human relationships “The Shackleton Project” with a view to educating people in making the right decision for marriage.

Career

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

Publications

'The Divorce Handbook' (Co-author).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Family/Matrimonial Finance: Ultra High Net Worth - London (Firms)

Star Individual
Star Individuals

Individual Editorial

Baroness Shackleton is lauded as a leading practitioner for sophisticated family matters. Baroness Shackleton has represented clients in some of the most high-profile divorce cases in the country.

Family/Children Law - London (Firms)

Band 2
Band 2

Individual Editorial

Fiona Shackleton is a dominant figure in family law and brings her decades of experience and expertise to Children Act proceedings.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Fiona Shackleton has a wonderful strategic insight into how cases should be conducted. She is quick to identify the issues in the case and provides clients with realistic advice at the outset.

    Family/Matrimonial Finance: Ultra High Net WorthChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
  • Fiona has a stellar reputation for a very good reason. She has an excellent way of thinking outside the box. She asks questions to make sure we think about things from all angles.

    Family/Matrimonial Finance: Ultra High Net WorthChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
  • Fiona Shackleton provides outstanding leadership and the support of her family law team. Fiona's relationship with high net worth and celebrity clients is unequalled.

    Family/Matrimonial Finance: Ultra High Net WorthChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
  • Fiona Shackleton is extraordinary good at what she does. She is a very tactical, clever solicitor who gets excellent results and is a very formidable presence.

    Family/Children LawChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
  • Fiona excels in bringing a team together. She is able to see the future and to assemble the right people for the job.

    Family/Children LawChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
  • Fiona has a stellar reputation for a very good reason. She is very good with the clients, has an excellent way of thinking outside the box and is also a fantastic pragmatist and realist.

    Family/Children LawChambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Ranked Individuals at Payne Hicks Beach LLP (27)

London (Firms)

UK-wide

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