Helen Ward

Practice Areas

Helen is described in the two leading independent legal directories, The Legal 500 and Chambers as "superb in every way." "the extraordinary and brilliant Helen Ward" and an "absolutely a class act ... if you want a star, there she is"

Helen approaches each case with meticulous attention, exercising commercial astuteness and formidable judgement, developed over years of experience of dealing with challenging matters. Her impressive talent for achieving successful settlements has earned her the respect of not just her clients but also of her peers.

Her reputation for protecting her clients’ interests and supporting her clients through the process of being divorced is second to none, and she does so with sensitivity and utmost discretion.

Helen also possesses experience derived from the judicial role she held for many years as a deputy district Judge sitting in what is now known as the Central Family Court.

The legal directories describe Helen as “continuing to top the lists of senior legal practitioners as an absolutely fantastic expert in complex multimillion pound ancillary relief matters … No stranger to discrete settlements, nor shy of a tough fight” and “undoubtedly one of the most significant divorce personalities in the country” with an “outstanding ability to reach settlements and to advise pragmatically”.

Helen acted for the husband in the case of Pierburg v Pierburg [2019] EWFC 24 in his successful challenge to the jurisdiction of the English court to entertain the divorce petition issued in London by his wife, a German citizen living in Switzerland. It was a clear case, as characterised by the media at the time, of “divorce tourism”, more commonly known to divorce practitioners as “forum shopping”.

Helen represented the husband in a high-profile case regarding a conflict of forum, resulting in the husband successfully resisting a divorce taking place in England and Wales and instead securing its process through the Swiss Court.

Career

Helen joined Stewarts in October 2012 before which she was a partner in the family department at Manches LLP.

Professional Memberships

•Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

•Former Deputy District Judge at the Central Family Court