Family: Children | UK Bar

An 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: "4PB has an exceptionally talented team, well able to deal with complex and sophisticated matters."

Michael Reeves is the Senior Clerk.

A 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: "1GC are a go-to Chambers for any of my tricky cases, they are at the forefront of family law." Another adds: "1GC have a really strong team in all aspects of family law and I feel comfortable instructing them to deal with the most complex and difficult cases."

1 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. One solicitor comments says: "They are one of the leading sets for both children and finance work."

A 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. Commentators say: "Chambers have some extremely experienced and talented barristers capable of easily dealing with complex and sophisticated matters."

Members 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 say: "Harcourt chambers as a set are capable of handing the most difficult of cases whilst ensuring the client's feel safe and reassured."

A 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: "They have a good range of barristers who between them have a wealth of experience in unusual and complex issues, and will bring creativity of thought to any given situation." Another adds: "Whatever the case they have an expert who can assist."

A 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. One interviewee states: "The set has an extremely wide expertise across all elements of Family Law, all of which they do to the very highest standard."

A 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 "You can always be confident in the experience and standard of their barristers." Another source adds: "Clients always feel like they are robustly represented in matters."

7BR houses a team of well regarded family barristers, capable of handling both children and matrimonial finance matters. The set comes particularly recommended for its work in relation to children, with its barristers showing strength in both the public and private law cases. They have experience of advising on highly sensitive matters that often involve allegations of abuse, non- accidental injury and neglect. Individuals here have further experience in cases concerning child abduction and relocation. Solicitors comment that: "Clients are always satisfied with the set's representation of them and praise the barristers for always going that extra mile."

Paul Eeles is the Senior Clerk.

Deka Chambers has an experienced stable of barristers with expertise across all areas of family law. It has particular strength in public law children work and acts for children, guardians and local authorities, among others. The set is adept at handling a variety of cases including those involving allegations of non-accidental injury, abuse and fabricated and induced illness. It has additional experience in matters concerning surrogacy issues and frequently handles cases with an international element. Sources say: "There is real depth in the team. You know that if you have a complex case it will be safe in their hands, whether you instruct a KC or the more junior members of the team."

A 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 say: "Clients can trust in their ability to navigate the complexities of even the most challenging legal landscapes with poise and efficacy."

Joe Lamb is the Senior Practice Manager.

Garden 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. One solicitor comments: "They're an amazing set of barristers with a diversity of knowledge to deal with child law cases." Another says: "They have an impressive ability to handle complicated legal issues with determination, pro activity and attention to detail."

A 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: "The barristers at the set of chambers are highly skilled advocates and they are all very approachable and easy to work with."