James Stewart

Practice Areas

James, who is widely regarded as ‘one of the most visible faces in UK family law’, is a Former Chambers HNW Family Lawyer of the Year and since September 2020, a Visiting Professor of Law at Ulster University.

Dual-qualified in England & Wales and Northern Ireland, James is a Resolution accredited specialist family lawyer who is regularly instructed in complex international HNW cases. James shines in difficult cases that need strategic vision, diligent execution and a motivated, able team.

Frequently described by a leading KC says: ‘James is undoubtedly one of the leaders in family law globally. Not only is he highly respected by his peers, he is loved by his clients and has amazing interpersonal skills in the most difficult of situations'. James has acted in many ground-breaking family law cases including Clibbery v Allan [2002], to date the only family case to go to the Court of Appeal on the issue of privacy and press reporting.

With a focus on complex family disputes, marital agreements and cases with an international dimension, including claims for financial relief following overseas divorces (Part III), James has become the family lawyer of choice for family offices, trustees and others who find themselves embroiled in complex English divorce and family proceedings.

James chairs the annual Legal Dinner, which raises funds for the leading peacebuilding charity, Co-operation Ireland.

Professional Memberships

Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL).

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb).

Publications

General Editor of the ‘Blue Book’, the definitive comparative guide to international family law (Family Law: A Global Guide, Thomson Reuters 2021).