Ranking tables
Family: Children | UK Bar
London (Bar)
Rankings overview for Sets
Band 1
Band 2
Band 4
Star Individuals
- Alex Verdan KC 4PB20 Years Ranked
- Charles Geekie KC 1GC|Family Law21 Years Ranked
- Deborah Eaton KC 1KBW29 Years Ranked
- Deirdre Fottrell KC 4PB11 Years Ranked
- Hannah Markham KC 36 Family12 Years Ranked
- Jo Delahunty KC 4PB18 Years Ranked
- Mark Twomey KC Coram Chambers7 Years Ranked
- Nick Goodwin KC Harcourt Chambers19 Years Ranked
- Paul Storey KC 29 Bedford Row Chambers25 Years Ranked
- Henry Setright KC4PB
Band 1
- Catherine Wood KC 4PB20 Years Ranked
- Gemma Taylor KC 42BR Barristers12 Years Ranked
- Janet Bazley KC 1GC|Family Law14 Years Ranked
- Richard Harrison KC 1KBW23 Years Ranked
- Sally Stone KC 1GC|Family Law12 Years Ranked
- Tina Cook KC 42BR Barristers20 Years Ranked
- William Tyler KC 36 Family10 Years Ranked
- Alison Grief KC4PB
- Anna McKenna KC1KBW
- John Vater KCHarcourt Chambers
- Teertha Gupta KC4PB
Band 2
- Andrew Bagchi KC 1GC|Family Law20 Years Ranked
- Edward Devereux KC Harcourt Chambers13 Years Ranked
- Martin Kingerley KC 36 Family8 Years Ranked
- Michael Gration KC 4PB12 Years Ranked
- Nkumbe Ekaney KC 1GC|Family Law18 Years Ranked
- Barbara Connolly KC7BR
- Barbara Mills KC4PB
- Cyrus Larizadeh KC4PB
- Frank Feehan KC1KBW
- James Turner KC1KBW
- John Tughan KC4PB
- Samantha King KC4PB
Band 3
- Andrew Norton KC 1GC|Family Law6 Years Ranked
- Charles Hale KC 4PB18 Years Ranked
- Damian Garrido KC Harcourt Chambers5 Years Ranked
- Damian Woodward-Carlton KC 42BR Barristers16 Years Ranked
- Laura Briggs KC 1GC|Family Law8 Years Ranked
- Piers Pressdee KC 4PB19 Years Ranked
- Sam Momtaz KC 1GC|Family Law7 Years Ranked
- Christopher Hames KC4PB
- Cleo Perry KC4PB
- Francesca Wiley KC1 Crown Office Row
- Jonathan Sampson KCHarcourt Chambers
- Joy Brereton KC4PB
- Kate Branigan KC4PB
- Rachel Langdale KC7BR
- Ruth Kirby KC4PB
- Shiva Ancliffe KCCoram Chambers
- Timothy Parker KCDeka Chambers
Band 1
Band 2
- Catherine Jenkins 1GC|Family Law14 Years Ranked
- Charlotte Hartley 1KBW8 Years Ranked
- Edward Bennett Harcourt Chambers7 Years Ranked
- Gemma Kelly 1GC|Family Law7 Years Ranked
- Giles Bain New Court Chambers11 Years Ranked
- Jonathan Bennett 42BR Barristers21 Years Ranked
- Katherine Kelsey 1KBW15 Years Ranked
- Katy Chokowry 1KBW9 Years Ranked
- Lee Arnot 29 Bedford Row Chambers19 Years Ranked
- Mehvish Chaudhry Harcourt Chambers9 Years Ranked
- Nicholas Anderson 1KBW15 Years Ranked
- Sam Wallace New Court Chambers6 Years Ranked
- Siobhan F Kelly 1GC|Family Law4 Years Ranked
- Stephen Jarmain 1KBW13 Years Ranked
- William Tyzack Queen Elizabeth Building QEB10 Years Ranked
- Andrew Powell4PB
- Chris Barnes4PB
- Christopher MillerFourteen
- Eleri Jones1GC|Family Law
- Justine Johnston4PB
- Lucy Sprinz1GC|Family Law
- Malek Wan DaudGarden Court Chambers
- Richard Jones1GC|Family Law
- Sally Bradley4PB
- Tara VindisDeka Chambers
- Victoria RobertsCoram Chambers
Band 3
- Alev Giz 1GC|Family Law7 Years Ranked
- Andrew Shaw New Court Chambers5 Years Ranked
- Chris Stevenson 4PB2 Years Ranked
- Claire Heppenstall 1GC|Family Law9 Years Ranked
- Dafydd Griffiths 29 Bedford Row Chambers6 Years Ranked
- Daisy Hughes 1GC|Family Law8 Years Ranked
- Doushka Krish 1GC|Family Law4 Years Ranked
- Indira Ramsahoye 29 Bedford Row Chambers20 Years Ranked
- Isabelle Watson 4 Brick Court2 Years Ranked
- Jennifer Perrins 1KBW7 Years Ranked
- Kyri Lefteri New Court Chambers4 Years Ranked
- Marlene Cayoun 1GC|Family Law5 Years Ranked
- Oliver Millington Deka Chambers7 Years Ranked
- Philip McCormack 42BR Barristers13 Years Ranked
- Rebekah Wilson No5 Barristers' Chambers2 Years Ranked
- Ruth Cabeza Harcourt Chambers8 Years Ranked
- Sharan Bhachu 42BR Barristers2 Years Ranked
- Steven Ashworth 1GC|Family Law4 Years Ranked
- Susan George 1GC|Family Law9 Years Ranked
- Tom Wilson 1GC|Family Law5 Years Ranked
- Brian Jubb4PB
- Dermot CaseyCoram Chambers
- Elizabeth Selman1KBW
- Henry Lamb1GC|Family Law
- Jacqui Gilliatt4 Brick Court
- Judith PepperCoram Chambers
- Justin Ageros4PB
- Kate HudsonCoram Chambers
- Maggie JonesGarden Court Chambers
- Sarah ForsterGarden Court Chambers
- Stephen LueGarden Court Chambers
Band 4
- Alison Moore 1GC|Family Law1 Years Ranked
- Andrea Watts 1KBW1 Years Ranked
- Ben Mansfield The 36 Group1 Years Ranked
- George Harley 36 Family4 Years Ranked
- Helen Jefferson 1GC|Family Law10 Years Ranked
- Helen Pomeroy 1KBW3 Years Ranked
- Jemimah Hendrick New Court Chambers1 Years Ranked
- Justin Tadros 4 Brick Court1 Years Ranked
- Kate Grieve 36 Family6 Years Ranked
- Kelly Webb 36 Family3 Years Ranked
- Laura Harrington New Court Chambers4 Years Ranked
- Mai-Ling Savage 4PB3 Years Ranked
- Martha Holmes 1KBW1 Years Ranked
- Matthew Fletcher 1GC|Family Law8 Years Ranked
- Michael Edwards 4PB9 Years Ranked
- Nasstassia Hylton 1GC|Family Law3 Years Ranked
- Olivia Magennis 1GC|Family Law1 Years Ranked
- Philippa Jenkins New Court Chambers6 Years Ranked
- Rachel Gillman 1GC|Family Law4 Years Ranked
- Rebecca Mitchell 1GC|Family Law1 Years Ranked
- Roshi Amiraftabi 29 Bedford Row Chambers11 Years Ranked
- Sabuhi Chaudhry 36 Family4 Years Ranked
- Saiqa Chaudhry New Court Chambers2 Years Ranked
- Samantha Whittam 1GC|Family Law2 Years Ranked
- Sarah McMeechan New Court Chambers1 Years Ranked
- Sarah Nuttall New Court Chambers2 Years Ranked
- Stephen Bartlet-Jones One Pump Court1 Years Ranked
- Thomas Dance 1KBW4 Years Ranked
- Victoria Green 1KBW1 Years Ranked
- Alex LaingCoram Chambers
- Alison EastonCoram Chambers
- Amanda MeuszGarden Court Chambers
- Anarkali MusgraveCoram Chambers
- Anna WalshCoram Chambers
- Anne-Marie GloverCoram Chambers
- Annie SayersDeans Court Chambers
- Charlotte Baker4PB
- Christopher ArcherCoram Chambers
- Christopher Butterfield29 Bedford Row Chambers
- Damian StuartFourteen
- Emily Mitchell7BR
- James HolmesGarden Court Chambers
- James MulhollandFourteen
- Jason GreenHarcourt Chambers
- Joan ConnellFourteen
- Julia Townend4PB
- Katharine MarksGarden Court Chambers
- Laura BumpusDeka Chambers
- Laura HibberdDeka Chambers
- Mandy ShortFourteen
- Markanza Cudby1KBW
- Mary HughesOne Pump Court
- Nairn Purss4 Brick Court
- Naomi Wiseman1KBW
- Paul Hepher4PB
- Ramanjit KangCoram Chambers
- Ranjit SinghFourteen
- Rob GeorgeHarcourt Chambers
- Samantha Ridley1KBW
- Sarah BransonCoram Chambers
- Sarah TylerCoram Chambers
- Sophie HillCoram Chambers
- Tabitha BarranDeka Chambers
- Victoria Halsall1KBW
Up and Coming
All Sets profiles
Band 1
1 4PBFamily: Children2024 | Band 1 | 14 Years RankedAn immensely respected set recognised for its immeasurable expertise in private and public children law, as well as its complementary skill in matrimonial finance work. Its venerated silks and juniors regularly appear before the highest courts in the country, handling a broad range of matters including those relating to international child abduction, historical child sex abuse, radicalisation, non-accidental injury, and many more. The set's extensive client base consists of individuals from all walks of life, including household names, businessmen, and some of society's most vulnerable individuals. When it comes to matrimonial finance, the barristers here handle complex, acrimonious, high-value disputes, often involving multiple jurisdictions, offshore accounts and trusts. In recent times, the set has been heavily involved in cases at the forefront of the law relating to fertility, female genital mutilation and transgender rights. The set has been involved in a huge raft of reported cases in recent times. One source comments that "their barristers have excellent knowledge and experience and are able to tackle the most complex issues."
Band 2
2 1GC|Family LawFamily: Children2024 | Band 2 | 14 Years RankedA recognised specialist set for private and public children's law and matrimonial finance proceedings. Barristers here are sought out by those seeking representation across the full spectrum of children law cases. Their areas of expertise extend to inquiries into historic sexual abuse, care proceedings involving FGM, radicalisation, abuse, child death and severe mental health problems, among others. Members are further experienced in private children's work, and frequently deal with the most complex cases concerning relocation, abduction, leave to remove, allegations of domestic abuse, and wardship proceedings. The set is regularly instructed in high-value divorce proceedings, and has an ultra high net worth clientele which includes members of foreign royal families. One source says: "I think they are becoming one of the best sets for a variety of family work, but they still keep their human element." Another adds: "1GC has barristers at all levels of experience with the expertise required to meet a client's needs."
Band 3
3 1KBWFamily: Children2024 | Band 3 | 14 Years Ranked1 King's Bench Walk is a popular choice for high-profile children and matrimonial finance matters. Individuals here have practices that encompass both domestic and cross-border disputes, and expertise in the handling of child abduction, adoption and surrogacy cases. The barristers are sought after by high net worth, often international, clients as well as a host of professionals to handle complex proceedings. The set's money practice, in particular, receives unanimous praise, with practitioners taking on the full gamut of high-value financial disputes before the highest courts in the country. Specific prowess exists in cases involving prenuptial disputes, Schedule 1, offshore trusts, TOLATA, and many other issues. Recently members have acted in Al Maktoum v Al Hussein and Others, a case that involved wardship, Schedule 1 and Part III issues. Solicitors say: "1 King's Bench Walk is an extremely strong set with a wide range of highly skilled barristers."3 Coram ChambersFamily: Children2024 | Band 3 | 14 Years RankedA highly regarded family set whose members are equipped to tackle the full gamut of finance and children proceedings. Barristers here are particularly renowned for their public children work, and frequently handle highly sensitive medical cases that involve allegations of abuse, neglect, non-accidental injury and child death. They have further experience in matrimonial finance litigation, with expertise in TOLATA, Schedule 1 applications, assets valuation and cohabitation disputes. Counsel are also instructed in a variety of private children cases, especially those concerning adoption and child abduction. Recent work highlights include Agarwal v the Czech Republic, a case heard in the European Court of Human Rights about article 8 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights.3 Harcourt ChambersFamily: Children2024 | Band 3 | 9 Years RankedMembers at Harcourt Chambers offer a full family law service, but are especially adroit in assisting a range of clients with all manner of children law proceedings. They garner particular praise for their expertise in international abduction, and routinely handle cross-border relocation cases. They are known for their expert representation of local authorities, parents, and guardians in complex public law cases, a number of which relate to abuse, non-accidental injury and child death. While such cases form a large part of the set's work, a number of individuals are on-hand to also undertake divorce and financial remedy proceedings. Solicitors note that Harcourt is "a highly skilled set of chambers that can always be trusted to handle complex matters well." Recent matters undertaken by the set include Timokhin v Timokhina, an application by a father to appeal against a stay of a Schedule 1 application.
Band 4
4 29 Bedford Row ChambersFamily: Children2024 | Band 4 | 14 Years RankedA set with demonstrable strength at silk and junior level which assists clients in both children and divorce proceedings. Members here are sought after by high net worth clients for their extensive experience of handling financial cases involving complex business structures, assets, trusts, Schedule 1, TOLATA and tax issues. Many of these are multi-jurisdictional and international in nature. The barristers also have significant expertise in private and public children law work, and are equipped to represent their clients in all manner of care, relocation, and child abduction proceedings. Their diverse clientele consists of people from all levels of society. Important cases handled of late include Villiers v Villiers, a Court of Appeal case on the correct interpretation and application os s27 MCA 1973. One interviewee states: "29 Bedford Row Chambers has a full range of individuals who are leaders across a wide range of family law issues."4 36 FamilyFamily: Children2024 | Band 4 | 6 Years RankedA renowned set of barristers who handle a wide range of public and private family proceedings. Members appear in both matrimonial finance and children cases for clients who include high net worth individuals, celebrities, politicians, and members of the general public. Matters of the greatest complexity are handled including those complicated by the presence of trusts, assets, pensions and tax issues. Individuals here also appear in highly sensitive children proceedings, many of which include serious allegations of abuse, FGM, parental alienation and drug use. The set is further noted for having specialist expertise in disputes involving unmarried couples. Recent standout work includes Unger v Ul-Hasan, a Supreme Court case considering whether claims for divorce and consequential financial remedies can be brought by or against the estate of a deceased person. Commentators note that "36 Family has a great depth of experience of handling complex matrimonial finance cases including those with an international element." Another adds: "They have an excellent set of barristers dealing with complex children matters."4 42BR BarristersFamily: Children2024 | Band 4 | 14 Years RankedA well-renowned children set commended by peers and clients alike. Barristers here are frequently instructed in the representation of vulnerable clients in care proceedings. The cases it handles are complex and most notably within the context of non-accidental injury and sexual abuse. Members have further expertise in private children cases. Some of the many areas it covers include matters concerning child abduction, forced marriage, radicalisation and asylum applications. An interviewee remarks that "the set offers barristers adept at handling cases with complicating factors." Another source adds: "They are supremely competent lawyers but also very approachable people."
Band 5
5 FourteenFamily: Children2024 | Band 5 | 14 Years RankedA respected set with substantial strength in both children and matrimonial finance proceedings. Barristers here frequently appear in cases with multi-jurisdictional elements, and regularly handle matters of great complexity involving issues such as trusts, offshore accounts, and allegations of abuse. Both public and private law work is undertaken for a wide range of clients, some of whom are high net worth. Commentators note: "Every member of Fourteen is a stand-alone expert. They often work together sharing ideas and knowledge, so no matter who we instruct we are in safe hands."5 Garden Court ChambersFamily: Children2024 | Band 5 | 8 Years RankedGarden Court Chambers is home to a stable of highly able barristers who assist their clients with both children and matrimonial finance matters. Members prove particularly strong on public children law cases, often appearing in care proceedings involving accusations of abuse, domestic violence, child death, non-accidental injury, FGM and factitious illness. They also represent clients in private law children and financial remedy matters, including cases relating to TOLATA, Schedule 1 and parental alienation, some of which are international in nature. Solicitors state that "this is a professional set and its members are always willing to assist, particularly in urgent situations."5 New Court ChambersFamily: Children2024 | Band 5 | 10 Years RankedA set with substantial strength in public and private children law matters, and the further capability to handle financial proceedings. The 35-plus family barristers here are well versed in highly sensitive matters involving non-accidental injury, child death, sexual abuse, FGM, fictitious illness and child trafficking. They are also equipped to handle TOLATA, Schedule 1 and parental alienation cases. Clients include highly vulnerable individuals, as well as parents, guardians and local authorities. Commentators say: "New Court has a very good selection of barristers. When experienced counsel is required for a complex matter there is always someone available to meet your requirements."