Catherine Wood KC

23 Sep 2016


Expertise
  • • Financial provision after a foreign divorce (Part III MFPA 1984)
  • Big Money Assets
  • Child Maintenance
  • Children Financial Disputes
  • Civil Partnership
  • Cohabitation Claims
  • Family or Small Business
  • Farming Cases
  • Finances and Foreign Divorce
  • Foreign Pensions Schemes
  • Inheritance Act Claims
  • Middle Range Assets
  • Modest Assets
  • Offshore Assets
  • Offshore Trusts
  • Trusts
  • UK Pensions

Catherine Wood KC

Tel: 0207 427 5200 | cw@4pb.com
St Martin’s Court 10 Paternoster Row London United Kingdom EC4M 7HP


Catherine is a family law silk, part-time judge and member of 4PB, a leading family law set. Catherine was one of the very first barristers to qualify as a children law arbitrator and has conducted arbitrations dealing with all aspects of parental responsibility, including relocations.

Catherine recognises the value of arbitration in delivering an effective bespoke solution for families at times of difficulty . Catherine is mainly based in London but undertakes arbitrations nationwide and has considerable flexibility beyond normal working hours. Catherine has been a recognised Leader in her field for many years.

Qualifications

Barrister, Part-time Judge

Geographic Region

Channel Islands, East Midlands, East of England, International (outside the UK), Isle of Man, London, North East, North West, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South East, South West, Wales, West Midlands, Yorkshire and The Humber

Mr. Charles Hale KC

19 Sep 2016

Expertise
  • • Financial provision after a foreign divorce (Part III MFPA 1984)
  • Big Money Assets
  • Child Maintenance
  • Children Financial Disputes
  • Civil Partnership
  • Cohabitation Claims
  • Family or Small Business
  • Farming Cases
  • Finances and Foreign Divorce
  • Foreign Pensions Schemes
  • Inheritance Act Claims
  • Middle Range Assets
  • Modest Assets
  • Offshore Assets
  • Offshore Trusts
  • Trusts
  • UK Pensions

Mr. Charles Hale KC

Tel: 0207 4275200 | csh@4pb.com
4pb
6 Floor
St Martin’s Court
10 Paternoster Row EC4M 7HP

Joint Head of Chambers of 4PB, the leading Family Law barristers Chambers in the UK.

Family law specialist advocate and Arbitrator, recognised as leading King’s Counsel in both, Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. Shortlisted as Silk of the Year, Legal 500, 2019, 2021 and 2022.

As a leading family KC with expertise in all aspects of financial, international and private law family cases, Charles is regularly instructed in international family disputes for high net worth individuals and often provides expert opinion in foreign divorce matters. Charles has a reputation for dealing with the most complex cases involving financial disputes and trusts, also cases arising out of same sex/modern families disputes. As one of the few recognised leading family UK barristers in both matrimonial finance and children work, Charles is often instructed to represent high profile clients in all issues arising out of their separation. He is qualified to receive instructions directly from overseas lawyers and lead teams multi-jurisdictional cases.

Charles has a significant ADR practice. As an Arbitrator, a private FDR judge and early neutral evaluator in both finance and children cases, Charles offers the full spectrum for out of court solutions to complex family disputes.

Charles is a Fellow of the International Family Lawyers Association and a member of the Family Law Bar Association and was a National Committee member from 2004-2014 and an elected member of the Bar Council for 10 years. He was appointed to the International Committee of the Bar of England and Wales (2022). Charles is one of two KC’s appointed by the President of the Family Division to the Transparency Implementation Group (TIG).

Charles has previously lectured at Kingston University and regularly lectures domestically including to Resolution and at the Judicial College (the training college of UK family judges). Internationally, Charles has lectured widely, including at the South African National Family Conference, in Dublin to the Irish Bar, and in the Cayman Islands. Charles writes thought leader articles in leading journals and publications and is often ask to provide comment to the media. He is a lead author of several chapters in Rayden and Jackson, Relationship Breakdown, Finance and Children (Butterworths LexisNexis).

Qualifications

Barrister

Geographic Region

Channel Islands, East Midlands, East of England, International (outside the UK), Isle of Man, London, North East, North West, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South East, South West, Wales, West Midlands, Yorkshire and The Humber

Nicholas Allen QC

6 Sep 2016

Expertise
  • • Financial provision after a foreign divorce (Part III MFPA 1984)
  • Big Money Assets
  • Child Maintenance
  • Children Financial Disputes
  • Civil Partnership
  • Cohabitation Claims
  • Family or Small Business
  • Farming Cases
  • Finances and Foreign Divorce
  • Foreign Pensions Schemes
  • Inheritance Act Claims
  • Middle Range Assets
  • Modest Assets
  • Offshore Assets
  • Offshore Trusts
  • Trusts
  • UK Pensions

Nicholas Allen QC

Tel: 020 7404 1044 | nallen@29br.co.uk
Bedford Row Chambers
29 Bedford Row
London WC1R 4HE

Nicholas is a barrister with chambers in both London and Birmingham. He has specialised in financial remedy work for 25 years. He is well known for his eye for detail, his knowledge of matrimonial finance law, and for his client care skills.

He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2018. He was appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge in 2021 assigned to the Family Division. He was previously appointed a Recorder of the Family Court in 2016. As a judge, he hears both financial remedy and children cases (both public and private law) in London and on the South Eastern Circuit.

Nicholas qualified as an arbitrator in 2016. He has to date been appointed as arbitrator in 24 cases and has written 17 awards (four having settled and three are ongoing). He has also been retained on a further four cases which settled before his appointment was formalised. Nicholas has undertaken arbitrations by way of conventional hearings (both at his chambers and elsewhere) and also on paper. ‘Remote’ conventional hearings (if preferred) can be arranged via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Lifesize, and/or Skype.

Chambers & Partners 2022 describes Nicholas as a “high-value financial specialist … He is commended for his attention to detail and his sympathetic manner with clients, and is also a trained arbitrator. Strengths: ‘He pays attention to the detail of complex cases.’ ‘He can translate the law into layman’s terms and instils confidence from the minute he walks into the room.’ ‘A thorough, hard-working details man.’”

The Legal 500 2022 states that Nicholas “assimilates every fact and nuance of a case, and provides clients with clear, helpful advice. He inspires confidence in his instructing solicitors”.

Nicholas is often instructed to conduct Private FDR Appointments and also to prepare early neutral evaluations. He has been a trained collaborative lawyer since 2009.

Nicholas is a regular lecturer including to the Judicial College. He has recently lectured on the arbitration process – “What are the practical and legal implications of arbitration in family cases?”. He contributed to Resolution’s ‘Guide to Good Practice for Family Lawyers on Working with the Bar in Family Cases’ (2018 revision). He has also written for Family Law and co-authored the Family Law Bar Association’s ‘Good Practice’ guidance for FDR Appointments much of which was later included in similar guidance published by both Resolution and by the Family Justice Council.

For further details about Nicholas’ practice please see http://www.29br.co.uk/profile/nicholas-allen or speak to his Senior Clerk, James Shortall, on 020 7404 1044.

He can also be contacted via St. Ives Chambers in Birmingham where he is a Door Tenant. Please contact David Walters on 0121 236 0863.

Qualifications

Barrister, Collaborative Lawyer, Part-time Judge

Geographic Region

Channel Islands, East Midlands, East of England, International (outside the UK), Isle of Man, London, North East, North West, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South East, South West, Wales, West Midlands, Yorkshire and The Humber

Julian Bremner

16 Aug 2016

Expertise
  • • Financial provision after a foreign divorce (Part III MFPA 1984)
  • Big Money Assets
  • Child Maintenance
  • Children Financial Disputes
  • Civil Partnership
  • Cohabitation Claims
  • Family or Small Business
  • Farming Cases
  • Finances and Foreign Divorce
  • Foreign Pensions Schemes
  • Inheritance Act Claims
  • Middle Range Assets
  • Modest Assets
  • Offshore Assets
  • Offshore Trusts
  • Trusts
  • UK Pensions

Julian Bremner

Tel: 01494 350333 | jab@raydensolicitors.co.uk
McBride House
32 Penn Road
Beaconsfield
Bucks HP9 2FY

I am a qualified financial arbitrator, and determine financial disputes between parties as a quicker and often more cost effective alternative to court proceedings.  Since qualifying I have successfully conducted arbitrations, including for parties who have not have legal representation.

I also deal regularly with Civil Partnership disputes, cohabitation disputes, separation agreements, pre-nuptial agreements and additional financial provision for children of unmarried parents.

As a Partner at family law specialists Rayden Solicitors, and having been practising family law for over 25 years, my experience covers all areas of family law and in particular medium to high net worth matters, where we need to resolve financial disputes involving high net worth individuals and families with significant wealth held in a variety of different structures and jurisdictions.

My approach is firm but pragmatic. I take great pride in being recognised by my professional peers and my clients for my skill at understanding a client’s desired outcome, reviewing their case, and quickly asserting a workable strategy. It is this approach which helps me achieve my client’s objectives, which is increasingly to negotiate a fair and reasonable settlement.

“Julian has a great knack of deciphering subjective ramblings and putting a very succinct and objective communication together. He takes an extremely pragmatic approach based on case histories, the law, client input and data. To be blunt this is really what I expect from someone knowing their job and interested in their clients. He does a good job of watching the purse as well.” Client testimonial

“Thank you for the documents and your guidance throughout this process. Honestly the arbitration was intense but this was because the nature of the matter not the process itself. You have a calming persona which helped settle my nerves. Please could you pass my thanks to your team too, they were just as pleasant as yourself.” Client testimonial

“Julian is a very experienced lawyer with expertise in financial and children matters. He has superb client care skills and his preparation and thoroughness are second to none.” Professional Referee

I am very committed to supporting my profession, not only do I regularly contribute to professional journals and discuss family law issues on other media platforms, I also believe it is imperative that we consistently review how we work with our clients – we must continuously evolve and develop opportunities to make the process of divorce and separation as pain free as possible for clients.  I am hugely proud to be the co-founder and driving force behind a ground breaking Dispute Resolution initiative, The Certainty Project, which I firmly believe will make the process of Dispute Resolution even more streamlined and accessible for clients.  The principle behind the project is to provide clients with a clear process and removal of uncertainty of current options, bespoke time frames for their cases, expert assistance and reassurance that this expertise can achieve resolution, and be cost effective and affordable.

The Certainty Project is endorsed by Resolution (the Association of Family Law professionals), and the hope is that as it develops, more clients and professionals will begin to adopt the process.

I originally qualified as a barrister and solicitor in my home country Australia at the Supreme Court of Tasmania and the High Court of Australia in 1996.  I am now dual qualified having moved over to the UK and have been practising family law in England since January 2000.  I am also a member of Resolution and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

I am available to meet clients at any of Rayden Solicitors offices, or elsewhere across the country, and of course can conduct meetings virtually on whatever platform is most suitable for the client.

 

Qualifications

England and Wales, Solicitor

Geographic Region

East Midlands, East of England, London, North East, North West, South East, South West, Wales, West Midlands, Yorkshire and The Humber

Claire Heppenstall

16 Aug 2016

Expertise
  • • Financial provision after a foreign divorce (Part III MFPA 1984)
  • Big Money Assets
  • Child Maintenance
  • Children Financial Disputes
  • Civil Partnership
  • Cohabitation Claims
  • Family or Small Business
  • Farming Cases
  • Finances and Foreign Divorce
  • Foreign Pensions Schemes
  • Inheritance Act Claims
  • Middle Range Assets
  • Modest Assets
  • Offshore Assets
  • Offshore Trusts
  • Trusts
  • UK Pensions

Claire Heppenstall

Tel: 020 77977900 | heppenstall@1gc.com
1 Garden Court
Family Law Chambers Temple
London EC4Y 9BJ

I am an extremely experienced barrister of 25years + who practises exclusively in private family and family related work. My practice is largely split between all aspects of Private Children Law and Financial Remedies work. I am based at 1GC|Family Law – one of the leading Family Law sets.

Dealing with both children and money work allows me to assist the private client across most areas of dispute that arise during difficult family breakdowns in a highly effective way.

As a barrister I act in all levels of court and am frequently instructed in cases where King’s Counsel is instructed on the other side.

In the area of Private Children Law, I have a particular interest and a huge amount of expertise in cases involving relocation, both external and internal.  International leave to remove cases are a specialist area and I have most recently been involved in contested removals to Brazil, USA, Germany, Italy and Australia.

In Financial Remedies work, I am often instructed in difficult cases involving issues of non-disclosure or where careful analysis of family businesses and trust interests is required.  I have considerable experience of dealing with Schedule 1 applications and am regularly instructed in this type of claim.

As an arbitrator qualified to take on both private children and financial remedies work under the two separate IFLA schemes, this dual qualification allows me to provide clients with the opportunity for all aspects of their separation (children and financial issues) to be determined in one consolidated hearing – saving huge amounts of time, money and stress.

I have been instructed to arbitrate both narrow “single issue” disputes e.g. change of name, schooling or holiday issues as well as the more complex child arrangement issues that arise on family breakdown.

In financial work – I have been instructed in both straightforward lower value cases in addition to more complex high net worth disputes.  No matter the degree of complexity – all arbitrations conducted before me receive the same careful consideration and special attention to the detail of the dispute.

I am ranked as a Leading Junior for both Children and Matrimonial Finance Work by both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.  Most recent descriptions –

“Claire is a very safe pair of hands, astute, hardworking and talented. She has an in -depth and technical understanding of family law. She is a deeply compassionate advocate who supports the client with her steadiness and wisdom” Tier 1 for Children Legal 500, 2023.

“Claire has great commercial acumen. She is clear, direct and exudes authority in court. Her advocacy is polished and persuasive”, Tier 2 for Family (incl Divorce and Financial Remedy), Legal 500, 2023

“Robust, very clear thinking and someone whose advocacy is outstanding. She gets straight to the heart of the matter, which clients appreciate”. Chambers and Partners, 2023

“Claire is excellent, tenacious, professional and very forthright when required”. Chambers and Partners, 2023.

Qualifications:

Barrister and Part-time Judge

Link to website profile: Claire Heppenstall, MCIArb | 1GC|Family Law

Qualifications

Barrister, Part-time Judge

Geographic Region

Channel Islands, East Midlands, East of England, London, North East, North West, Northern Ireland, South East, South West, Wales, West Midlands, Yorkshire and The Humber