Family: Matrimonial Finance | UK Bar

1 Hare Court is a universally lauded set with distinguished matrimonial finance practitioners. It has seasoned silks and highly commended juniors, who tackle the largest and most challenging and acrimonious financial disputes following the dissolution of relationships. Many of these cases involve issues relating to complex offshore assets, trusts, pensions and concealed wealth. Individuals here have decades of cumulative experience in the handling of multi-jurisdictional disputes and many are fully trained private FDR judges. One recent work highlight for the set was Standish v Standish, a landmark Supreme Court case which raised important issues as to when and if assets become 'matrimonialised'. Members of chambers also appeared in Vince v Vince, a very high-profile financial remedy case looking at the hallmarks of a relationship for the purposes of the sharing principle. Its clientele consists of exceptionally high net worth and high-profile individuals, including politicians, royalty and multibillionaires. Sources say: "1 Hare Court is the leading set for matrimonial finance cases. It has a broad bench of advocates, ranging from the most well-regarded silks down to extremely talented juniors."

Steve McCrone is the senior clerk.

QEB boasts sought-after silks and juniors with valued expertise in matrimonial finance law, who act for a high-profile, high net worth client base in the full gamut of family proceedings. Cases undertaken by the set frequently involve highly complicated issues relating to such matters as jurisdiction disputes, injunctions, Inheritance Act and TOLATA claims, trusts, offshore accounts and prenuptial agreements. Many of them are multinational in nature. Although primarily known for their strength in finance proceedings, some members are also proficient in the handling of children cases. One solicitor comments: "The set is a true leader in matrimonial finance and offers exceptional service and client care. The set goes above and beyond every time."

Jon Bartlett is the senior clerk.

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. One solicitor comments: "The barristers at 1KBW are not only top notch advocates, but are also down to earth and have a knack for making clients feel safe." Another interviewee adds: "1KBW has strong barristers that specialise in both children and finance law, a quality that really sets them apart. Clients often want counsel who can do both and do both well."

Mark Betts is the senior clerk.

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 that the set is "blessed with standout counsel with the robustness to handle anything thrown at them."

James Shortall is the senior clerk.

A renowned set that handles 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. Commentators note: "36 Family has experienced counsel across all levels." Another adds: "It has a very good offering of high quality barristers, who have a wealth of experience of handling all aspects of private family law."

Danny Chapman is the senior clerk.

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 including Tickle & Anor v the BBC & Ors, a high-profile appeal concerning the naming of judges who had previously decided family cases, arising in the context of historic proceedings relating to Sara Sharif, later murdered by her father and step-mother. One source comments: "The calibre of barristers is fantastic, and their supportive approach and availability to us as clients is invaluable."

Michael Reeves is the director of practice and business development.

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 is a very distinguished set." Another adds: "The set has excellent barristers covering a wide range of family law disciplines."

Paul Harris is the senior clerk.

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: "The calibre of barristers at Coram Chambers is very good in all aspects of the services they provide. Their knowledge of all applicable law and their technical ability impress." Another source adds: "The set has an amazing group of barristers, who are highly knowledgeable in their field and are happy to work alongside the solicitors, so that it is a real team effort."

Sean Gentleman is the senior clerk.

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: "Fourteen offers a wide range of very knowledgeable and detailed barristers who are more than willing to help and go above and beyond."

Joe Lamb is the senior practice manager.

Pump Court Chambers is highly respected for its matrimonial finance practice, and has members who are regularly instructed at all levels of court in complex financial remedy proceedings. The barristers are sought out to appear in a wide range of cases involving such matters as cohabitation, post- and pre-nuptial agreements, variation applications, TOLATA and financial dispute resolution matters. One interviewee reports: "Barristers at Pump Court have the ability to rapidly and accurately understand new instructions."

James Collier is the senior clerk.