Family/Matrimonial: London

This firm has has seen some expansion of late, with the lateral hire of Tom Amlot from Harbottle & Lewis bringing the total number of partners to six. Clients turn to the team for litigation assistance in complex finance cases, as well as retaining it for its expertise in collaborative law and mediation. It also acts in children matters and frequently handles international cases in this sphere. Interviewees agree that this "commercially minded and excellent" boutique is "very good at handling delicate situations." Another source comments that it "understands the client's needs and gives sensible advice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "absolutely charming" Douglas Alexiou "wants the best result for the client and not just to have a scrap and make money." Clients also appreciate the "organised and effective" approach he takes to his ancillary relief work.

Susan Philipps "gets good results and knows how to stay in for the long slog if that's what it takes." In addition, she "has a genuine empathy with the client and yet is totally professional and thorough." She is recognised for her capabilities in ADR as well as her specific expertise in the preparation of prenuptial agreements.

Tom Amlot has recently joined the team from Harbottle & Lewis. He is very highly regarded in the market for his expertise at the intersection of family work and privacy law.

Sources comment that Jeremy Fisher's "clients think the world of him." He has an active ancillary relief practice, and he is experienced in dealing with cases involving international assets.

Emma Harte is a "proactive and focused mediator" and an acclaimed collaborative lawyer in the sphere of family law.

Sara Hannell is recommended for the vast depth of her experience in family law.

Sources praise this team for its "discreet approach" and "sensitivity to the client's needs." It is regularly retained by a variety of high net worth individuals, including figures in the media and sporting world. It is able to offer advice on international divorce proceedings, and is the sole UK member firm of the EuréseaU, a legal network covering 26 key jurisdictions.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Lisa Bolgar Smith is "a complete joy to work with." She is a "knowledgeable, calm and logical" practitioner who is "very helpful and constructive, and understands the collaborative process." She handles complex ancillary relief cases as well as the full range of matters relating to children.

This group provides "sound advice that is clearly delivered." The majority of its workload involves handling medium to high net worth ancillary relief cases, and of late it has been increasingly active in matters involving computer hacking injunctions. The team is also recognised for the depth of its expertise in mediation and collaborative law.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Interviewees highlight department head Kim Beatson's "logical, strategic and efficient" approach. Her practice has a particular emphasis on finance matters, and she is highly respected for her mediation skills.

Consultant Ellie Chapman advises on all aspects of family law. Her financial provision work often involves offshore or trust aspects.

This is a "very efficient team of lawyers that sees the woods for the trees and always has the client's interests at its fore." It particularly impresses with its work in public and private children matters, although it also offers assistance across the full spectrum of family law. The firm maintains a very strong reputation for its work on the most complex matters, including a variety of cross-border cases, with one impressed interviewee describing the team as "the best children law practitioner in London." In addition, "even its more junior practitioners ably undertake exacting and difficult work to a very high standard," and "there is a precision about its work, but never at the expense of an imaginative approach and a sensitivity to the flaws, foibles and vulnerability of their clients."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Katherine Gieve provides a "first-class service" and "fights her cases with an iron fist, albeit clad in a velvet glove." She "radiates confidence and immense knowledge and understanding of the law," and "is highly regarded by judges for her intelligent and insightful approach to all her cases." She offers assistance in all aspects of children law, including public law matters and cross-border disputes.

Associate Liz Dronfield is noted for her expertise in cross-border children disputes. She is "astute, incisive and extremely able. She has a good feel for clients, whether in public or private law. She reads clients well and is able to be challenging, constructive and supportive when the client needs it." In addition, sources note that "she puts her absolute all into it."

This group is recognised for its work in high net worth ancillary relief matters, and is regularly retained to advise on divorces that involve multiple jurisdictions. It has particularly strong links with Switzerland, the Channel Islands, the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Siân Jones leads the team.

This team represents a variety of domestic and international high net worth clients across the full range of financial relief cases, including pre and postnuptial agreements and ancillary relief claims involving civil partnerships. Over the past year it has been instructed by clients with interests in jurisdictions as diverse as Scotland, Jersey, the USA, Switzerland, Monaco, Germany, Italy, Norway, Belgium and Turkey. It also regularly works in close conjunction with the firm's private client group to advise on related aspects of marital breakdowns, such as issues arising from family businesses.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Barbara Simpson is "never fazed; she is very experienced, has seen it all before and has a very good gut instinct for a case and the approach to adopt." She handles matrimonial finance cases and also sits as Deputy District Judge in the Principal Registry of the Family Division.

Christopher Butler is a recent addition to the family law team, acting as a consultant at the firm. His expertise lies in negotiations arising in high-value divorce cases, with a particular focus on complex financial and trust issues. His cases often involve tax, trust, and corporate and landed considerations, while his workload has a strong international flavour.

This niche practice covers divorce, separation, cohabitation, pre and postnuptial agreements, collaborative law and disputes involving children, as well as offering an in-house mediation service. In addition, it regularly assists in cases involving forensic work and is well versed in leave-to-remove matters. Sources agree that the team provides "sound, practical advice and a clear strategy for settling a case."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "very helpful and constructive" Sharon Bennett offers decades of experience in complex cases involving significant financial assets.

Lea Harris is a trained mediator and collaborative lawyer who is a first port of call for high net worth clients seeking assistance with commercial and trust issues.

Sources are quick to praise this team for "offering a service that is absolutely first-rate," adding that it "has a very strong work ethic, a meticulous attention to detail and it houses some of the leading lawyers in the field." It offers expert advice across the full range of family law, in addition to being well positioned to assist with matters such as tax and trusts. It is also able to offer clients international assistance, and is unique in being the only English family law group to have a practitioner based in the Gulf. All of the partners in the team are collaboratively trained, and a number of its lawyers are also trained mediators.

KEY INDIVIDUALS William Longrigg is praised for his effective approach to ancillary relief and private children matters. He is also well placed to advise on international matters and is the president of the European chapter of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Sources recognise the strength of Sarah Anticoni's mediation work, and she has a particular focus on complex ancillary relief and child contact matters. She has also been increasingly involved in the drafting of pre and postnuptial agreements.

Tanya Roberts handles complex children work for a variety of domestic and international clients.

Clients appreciate Erica Shelton's "firm but sympathetic manner." She has recently been particularly active in Schedule 1 cases.

Sarah Higgins is "an unflappable lawyer who is great at handling, and calming, clients, and ensuring that not a trick is missed." She advises on children law, cohabitation agreements and complex financial applications.

Sources recognise Miranda Fisher as "having developed a hugely impressive practice for a relatively junior partner." She advises across a range of prenuptial agreements, ancillary relief and private children matters for a variety of clients, including figures in the sport and media industries.

Grant Howell heads up the Middle East family practice, and regularly visits the Gulf as well as acting in domestic cases. He has also recently qualified as one of the first Family Arbitrators, and he chairs the Family Arbitration Panel.

David Davidson advises on complex child and ancillary relief issues, including matters that involve multiple jurisdictions.

This team "sees the full picture and does not just litigate for litigation's sake," as well as providing "an efficient approach, good client care and attention to detail." Its clients include numerous high net worth individuals, such as media personalities, sportspeople, entrepreneurs and titled gentry. It regularly works in conjunction with its private client, property and commercial law groups in order to provide clients with a full service.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Pamela Collis "is supremely practical and focused on getting the client through a painful process with as little pain as possible." She offers "strong, robust advice and a no-nonsense approach to the other side." Her workload is focused upon divorce cases, often involving international issues.

This team's client base encompasses numerous high-profile individuals from the media and sport industries, seeking advice on a range of issues relating to divorce, prenuptial agreements and children law.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Interviewees are quick to praise Maggie Rae's "lovely manner" and "technical brilliance" in her divorce, children and adoption work.

Elizabeth Vernon has a broad-ranging practice with a particular emphasis on complex financial disputes and disputes relating to children. Her impressive client roster includes a number of household-name individuals from the business and entertainment sectors.

This team advises on all financial aspects of marriage and divorce, and over the last year has been particularly active in handling prenuptial agreements on behalf of high net worth clients. It has also been instructed in numerous complex ancillary relief and private children disputes. Clients benefit from the group's close alignment with the firm's international trusts and estate planning team in London and Geneva, and it also offers international desks focusing on the USA, Italy and Brazil.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Drake offers decades of family law experience, and is especially well versed in complex financial disputes, multi-jurisdictional cases, and contact and residence disputes.

Geoffrey Rutter advises on substantial financial disputes and has significant experience of offshore trusts and structures.

Group head Toby Yerburgh "has a great manner and is a real asset to the team." He is "calm, reassuring and very engaging, managing to command confidence whilst putting people at ease." He advises on the full spectrum of international family law matters, including both matrimonial finance and children matters.

This two-partner group provides advice and representation across the whole array of family law matters, although it is particularly recommended for its work in public law children matters. It has a particular focus on civil partnerships, surrogacy matters and complex care proceedings. Over the last year its public law children cases have involved a variety of jurisdictions, including Somalia, Egypt, Yemen and Bangladesh.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Alison Burt provides expert advice on surrogacy matters, and private and public children law.

Haema Sundram is "enormously respected" for her knowledge of surrogacy and civil partnership-related matters. Interviewees recognise her as being "very focused on collaboration, and very good at it."

Sources commend this as a team that "you can rely on totally in the middle of a storm." Clients report that "every decision they helped me make was, in retrospect, pitch-perfect, and they had a fantastic grasp on the whole case." The firm has an impressive reputation in cross-border children work, as well as offering significant expertise in matrimonial issues. Clients appreciate the strength of the lawyers' international knowledge, as well as the consistently high level of their support, commenting that "it has some very high profile clients and some legal aid clients, and it treats them all exactly the same."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Anne-Marie Hutchinson OBE is "the queen of cross-border children law." She is "incredibly committed and conscientious with a deep knowledge of the law and an amazingly hard-working approach." Her high-profile work over the past year has included an appeal to the Supreme Court involving the 1980 Hague Convention on child abduction.

Carolina Marín Pedreño "has a deep understanding of these cases and she is able to predict what is going to happen and what is the best thing to do at each moment in time." She is a dual-qualified English lawyer and Spanish abogado, and regularly acts for Spanish-speaking clients and individuals whose cases involve Spanish-speaking countries. She is noted for her particular specialism in cross-border children matters.

Kate Allen acts in complex finance matters and children work on behalf of high-profile clients throughout the entertainment, arts and financial industries.

Russell Bywater is commended as "a big personality who consistently wins his fights." He recently successfully represented an English client in a case arising out of her divorce from her Italian husband, which involved competing proceedings in England and Italy.

Matrimonial finance expert Rhiannon Lewis is "very considered in her approach, very skilled with the financial side of matters, and immensely personable," with "a forensic mind that can search for any needle in the haystack."

This team impresses sources with its "practical, sensible and constructive" approach, and it is able to offer clients methods of ADR such as mediation and collaborative law. It handles the full array of family law issues although it has a strong focus on matters relating to divorce and separation. Prenuptial agreements and civil partnerships are other areas of particular expertise, and the firm is frequently instructed in cases involving multiple jurisdictions.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gillian Bishop is universally acclaimed for her expertise in collaborative law. Over the past year she has been involved in numerous complex and high net worth matters.

Sources appreciate David Allison's ability to remain "always very calm in a crisis." His wide-ranging practice has a particular emphasis on matters involving unmarried families and civil partnerships.

Interviewees comment that "what James Pirrie doesn't know about the Child Support Agency isn't worth knowing." He is a mediation and collaborative lawyer who is "very pleasant to deal with; he is detail-focused and trustworthy with a nice manner."

Daniel Coombes offers expertise in both ADR and litigation. He is noted for his capacity to handle multi-jurisdictional matrimonial finance cases.

The "sensible and pragmatic" Nicole Hackett recently represented the husband of a multimillionaire in a case that involved issues of inherited wealth.

Trained mediator and collaborative lawyer Bradley Williams has "a quiet style that avoids unnecessary conflict, whilst his determination and judgement enable him to pursue contested litigation with confidence and skill."

Sources highlight this team for "covering all of the angles; it has gravitas and skills everywhere you look." In addition, its lawyers take a "measured and sensible approach; they know what they're doing so they do not have to compensate through aggression." The firm is frequently retained in complex and high-value matters, including numerous cross-jurisdictional cases. Its "fantastic client base" includes a variety of high-profile individuals, and the group regularly works in close conjunction with the firm's media and private client teams to offer a full service to clients. Recent work has included a successful defence in Whaley v Whaley before the Court of Appeal.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Highly respected counsel Jeremy Posnansky QC handled Whaley v Whaley, and is regularly instructed in very complex financial and technical cases.  

Interviewees praise team head William Massey as "an able and urbane lawyer," with whom "clients are in very safe hands." His background in commercial law stands him in good stead to advise on financial issues such as trusts, companies, tax and pensions.

Simon Bruce is "a phenomenal operator and a dedicated lawyer." He advises on children, premarital and finance-related cases, particularly where they involve trusts, tax, pensions and international issues. In addition he has notable expertise as a collaborative lawyer and mediator.

Richard Parry is "an exceptionally able and gentlemanly practitioner." He acts in the full range of family law and contentious trust matters.

Claire Gordon is "a calm and reassuring presence who grasps complex issues quickly and is loved by her clients." She represents her varied client base in all aspects of family law, including prenuptial agreements, civil partnership matters and financial settlements.

Margaret Heathcote is recognised for her wide-ranging work, covering private children law and matrimonial finance.

This team is equally well versed in handling both public and privately funded matters, and clients agree that it provides "great support during an emotionally difficult time; I absolutely trusted these lawyers to do the best for me." In addition, "it is clear that the group has an excellent appreciation of this area of law and what the courts are liable to consider and assess." The team's comprehensive range of expertise covers prenuptial agreements, divorce proceedings and mediation, and on the children law side it covers adoptions, care proceedings and child abuse.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Eileen Pembridge is praised as "a formidable character who is very well respected" for her "experienced, direct, responsive and reassuring" approach to high-value matrimonial finance matters.

This team offers clients advice and representation across a range of matters, including asset tracing and complex international pre and postnuptial agreements. Its depth of expertise in trusts also enables it to provide clients with in-depth advice in pension-related cases. Sources characterise it as "a group that gives clients a good deal of personal attention and very much prides itself on being available to clients whenever it is required."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ann Northover has a broad-ranging practice that regularly involves substantial asset cases, disputes over children and issues arising from unmarried families.

Shona Alexander is often a first port of call for clients seeking assistance with high-value financial matters, particularly where multiple jurisdictions are involved.

This "meticulous, accommodating and efficient" team makes its ranking debut following considerable praise for its work in children law and international child abduction cases. It also offers particular expertise in public law matters, and has recently acted for parents facing allegations of harm or neglect. Clients are effusive in their praise of the group's work, highlighting its "one-to-one care and attention to detail." It is also considered to be "intellectually sound and very knowledgeable of the law in complicated cases."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Nina Hansen is recognised for her representation of children and young people in private and public law cases. Sources praise her "tactical and visionary support." She is "always emotionally astute and smart, supporting the child, calming people down and supporting the client no matter what time of the night or day." One client adds that "her approach is wonderful; if only all lawyers were like her."

This specialist team "fights its clients' cases very hard." It is "highly committed to the area and is always up to date on all the key legal areas." It handles the full array of public and private children law matters, and a large percentage of its work involves international aspects. Of late, it has seen a particular increase in its child abduction work.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peggy Ray "has an easy and gentle manner and is persistent in seeking the best outcome for her clients." She is held in especially high regard for her children work, and she has been involved in numerous ground-breaking and policy-shaping children public law cases as well as handling complex private matters.

This team has significant experience in matrimonial finance, and of late has seen a marked increase in the volume of its pre and postnuptial agreement work. Its impressive client list includes numerous high-profile individuals from the media and entertainment industries.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Group head David Ruck is "an attentive lawyer who provides clients with excellent value." He handles ancillary relief matters and his work is often international in its nature.

Clients appreciate this team's "brilliant guidance and execution of advice," adding that its lawyers have "an extremely adept and gifted way of judging the situation at hand." The firm advises across the full spectrum of family law, with a strong focus on complex and high net worth financial claims, and pre and postnuptial agreements. The family team regularly works in close conjunction with the firm's tax and trusts teams, and the past year has seen a particular increase in its children disputes work.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Kathryn Peat is "extremely astute and gifted at analysing the situation and individuals, recommending the best course of action at every turn, and executing it in such a succinct and powerful way." She advises on a range of matrimonial finance issues.

James Harcus' forte lies in cross-border financial matters and cases involving trusts and pensions issues.

This firm offers "very strong and experienced public children law practitioners," with one of the largest public law teams in London. It continues to excel in child abduction matters, and enjoys a flourishing reputation for its work in high net worth ancillary relief cases. Interviewees agree that this firm's lawyers are "very able and highly committed with a liberal dose of compassion and humanity."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Emma Hall is "a tenacious lawyer with an eye for the important detail." She focuses on children law, especially care proceedings and adoption matters.

Toby Hales has a broad-ranging family practice which covers divorce, ancillary relief, public and private children law and adoption.

This 13-strong team is lauded for its "extremely good judgement, intelligence and super-efficiency," as well as for being "very well respected by the courts." It regularly undertakes the most complex international work covering a range of jurisdictional issues, trusts, pre and postnuptial agreements and children law.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "highly effective" Frances Hughes continues to receive instructions in the highest value marital finance cases, acting on behalf of a variety of lawyers, entrepreneurs and oligarchs. Her work typically involves estate disputes, pre and postnuptial agreements and family litigation.

Interviewees highlight Pauline Fowler's considerable experience in complex finance cases and cross-border matters.

Alex Carruthers has "impeccable judgement on what makes a good argument before the courts and how to pitch negotiations. He is fearless in court and steers the client through a challenging time with great skill." In addition he is "quick, energetic, no-nonsense and exudes intelligence." His client base is typically made up of high net worth individuals seeking assistance in complex divorce proceeding, often with an international aspect. 

Renato Labi has recently been involved in numerous high-value prenuptial agreements for international clients, as well as handling financial proceedings involving a séparation de biens and a contested bankruptcy action.

Ann Ison's clients include City professionals, substantial landowners and members of the aristocracy. She has vast experience of prenuptial agreements, and has recently worked on a matter involving the impact of Shari'a law on a prenuptial agreement.

Interviewees praise Joe Vaitilingam for his "good international knowledge." He handles a combination of children work and ancillary relief.

This "efficient and switched-on" group offers "a very good working experience of the latest procedures and case law, with great attention to detail." Its highly esteemed team of lawyers "keeps focused on what is relevant and avoids costs wherever possible." The group's expertise encompasses financial issues, children disputes and prenuptial agreements.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "considered and considerate" Henry Hood "understands human nature very well, which is a huge strength in negotiations." He "exudes authority and has huge gravitas but is also very approachable." His highly regarded family practice encompasses both matrimonial finance and children law.

This team is praised as "innovative and creative in its approach," offering "practical advice together with a human approach." It has recently been retained to advise on a range of premarital agreements, collaborative law matters and complex ancillary relief cases. Its clients include City professionals, entrepreneurs, and individuals from the music and sport industries.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "careful and organised" Elizabeth Hicks is "very patient and supportive of the clients." She advises on financial matters, children disputes and matters involving international jurisdictions.

Ancillary relief expert John Nicholson is an "experienced and pragmatic" lawyer whose "strongest point is his judgement, allied with his knowledge of the law."

Interviewees are quick to praise this group's "attention to detail and highly tuned understanding of the nuance and tactics in family matters." Clients appreciate its "professional yet sympathetic manner," adding that the team "always fights hard to defend your interests." One of its main areas of expertise lies in cross-border children law, and of late it has been acting in a complex international abduction and custody case involving England and Wales, the USA and Nigeria. It also comes highly recommended for its advice in the field of matrimonial finance, wherein it acts for a range of high-profile individuals.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jane Keir's "modest and straightforward manner is very reassuring." She is "pragmatic and sensible" and "extremely knowledgeable about how to proceed and the best strategy to take." She handles a combination of private children and complex finance matters.

Michael Rowlands is identified as "a great champion of his clients." He has a particular focus on children disputes and mid-to-high net worth financial claims. He is also well versed in multi-jurisdictional law, with extensive experience of offshore assets and child relocation.

Charlotte Bradley is highlighted for her broad-ranging family law practice, with a particular emphasis upon international issues.  

Abby Buckland is an associate who is particularly noted for her capability in handling cross-border children disputes.

This rapidly expanding team's reputation continues to flourish as it receives an array of significant instructions from high net worth and high-profile individuals. It advises across the gamut of matrimonial finance, Schedule 1 matters and private children law and is regularly involved in cross-border work.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Catherine Bedford is "an amazing practitioner who goes above and beyond the call of duty." She advises on a range of divorce cases, pre and postnuptial agreements and children matters.

This "factual, direct and understanding" team advises on the full range of divorce issues, paternity disputes and children law matters. It is particularly strong when it comes to complex financial and international-related work, and has had a very active year handling numerous high-value cases. Clients comment that the group "did everything they could to help me win my case. It is very supportive and mindful of costs but always focused on the outcome."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jeremy Levison is praised as "an excellent practitioner" and a "civilised opponent." He offers decades of experience in high net worth and complex financial settlements.

Simon Pigott is considered to be a "very sensible and constructive" family law practitioner. He has recently handled high-value matrimonial finance and child support cases.

Amanda Andrews recently joined the firm from Cripps Harries Hall. She advises on both divorce cases and children matters, including cross-border work.

This team is noted for its skilled handling of private family law, including children matters, international relocation applications and Schedule 1 matters. In addition to its litigation expertise, it is well placed to apply ADR methods such as collaborative law. It is regularly instructed on family matters by high-profile individuals.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jane Craig is a "superb practitioner who is very matter-of-fact and highly experienced." She played a key role in the Family Justice Council's report on the issue of consent orders in domestic violence cases.

In addition to her position as a Deputy District Judge, Louise Spitz continues to handle a variety of significant ancillary relief matters.

James Stewart has acted in a number of the most significant Anglo-Russian and Anglo-Ukrainian cases, and has recently handled high-value postnuptial cases.

Nicola Wager is regularly retained in high net worth and complex financial matters; her work often involves offshore trust and tax issues.

Anna Worwood offers vast experience in private children law, with particular expertise in substance abuse and leave-to-remove cases.

This specialist boutique handles a variety of domestic and international financial and children law work, and over the last year it has been particularly busy working on pre and postnuptial agreements. Its client base is typically comprised of a combination of businesspeople, landowners, high net worth individuals and celebrities.

KEY INDIVIDUAL Sources praise Miles Preston for the strength of his complex ancillary relief practice.

Key partner Anna Nice handles a range of financial matters and children law.

Julia Stanczyk offers particular expertise in trust law, as well as advising on ancillary relief matters.

This "energetic practice" acts for a variety of entrepreneurs, professionals, City traders, sports and entertainment personalities and their partners. Ancillary relief forms the core of its practice, and it has significant experience in overseas divorce issues and in claims by unmarried partners. It also regularly handles prenuptial agreements, and over the last year has launched an innovative insurance policy called Protect Pre-Nup to sit alongside the prenuptial agreement. In addition, it advises on the full range of private children law.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Sandra Davis is equally well versed in both complex financial issues and child abduction cases, and she has handled a number of high-value and complex cases over the past year.

Anne Kay is a trained collaborative lawyer who deals with the full spectrum of family law matters.

The "intelligent, personable and quick" Melissa Lesson "has capability and confidence beyond her years of qualification" and is "good at making judgement decisions, has reliable instinct and gives clients advice that is direct and digestible." She handles both matrimonial finance and children law matters.

Sources highlight David Lister for his "in-depth understanding of the law and ability to work a compromise." His financial work often involves multiple jurisdictions.

This team is a major name in children law, as well as offering expertise in ancillary relief cases, mediation and collaborative law. Sources say it is a "very focused and innovative" team of lawyers with "quality at all levels." Recently the firm has seen a particular increase in the volume of its pre and postnuptial agreement work, as well as more frequently receiving instructions involving confiscation issues.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Naomi Angell is "one of the most experienced and knowledgeable solicitors on adoption law generally and inter-country adoptions in particular," say sources. She is at the forefront of charitable work and policymaking relating to adoption and private law children cases.

Simone McGrath is highly regarded for her public and private children law practice, with a particular focus on international child abduction cases.

Mark Freedman is recognised for the high quality of his work on behalf of international clients, and he often advises high net worth clients on divorce proceedings.

Group head Julian Beard is said to be "focused, innovative and cost-conscious." He has a diverse workload encompassing matrimonial finance and children cases, including those with an international aspect, while he is also a trained mediator.

This family department regularly acts for ultra high net worth individuals in complex matters, often involving multiple jurisdictions. The firm's senior partners are foremost in the field of matrimonial dispute resolution and children matters, having played a key role in a number of the year's most noteworthy cases. Sources describe the team as an "extremely solid group that works well as a team." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Fiona Shackleton works with a variety of high net worth clients, primarily in family work. She is acknowledged as being one of the country's chief divorce lawyers and is very good with clients. Sources declare that "her reputation precedes her."

Fiona Brown is a specialist family lawyer primarily focusing upon complex high net worth ancillary relief cases and associated matters. A significant number of her cases have an international element. Peers say she is a "very good lawyer, very reliable and clever."

Ian Airey is head of the firm's family department and is described as "a very shrewd judge of a case" with "a great affinity with his clients." He advises on all aspects of family law, specialising in complex cases with an offshore element.

Philip McGuirk focuses on family law, particularly matrimonial finance and private children work. He often deals with complex multi-jurisdictional disputes involving high net worth individuals. He is described by peers as "a steady pair of hands."

This firm covers all areas of family financial work, particularly cross-border children cases, advising on residence and contact, international relocation, returning children across international borders and disputes over schooling, naming and other issues. Clients admire the team's "strong expertise and professional, practical approach."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Melanie Barnes is a key contact.

This firm's family department is renowned for its expertise in all types of family matters, and it is exceptionally strong in public law children cases. Sources describe the lawyers in this team as "committed, highly able professionals who provide an excellent service to their clients."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Samantha Little is highly regarded for her handling of complex public and private children matters. She is described as "a hard-working and highly able lawyer who is empathetic and professional."

James Carroll handles divorce and finance cases, and he is particularly noted for his expertise in cross-border cases.

Therese Nichols is joint head of the family law team and she handles issues arising from relationship breakdown of marriages, cohabiting couples and civil partners. Clients praise her advice as "full, accurate and exemplary" and her service as "businesslike and thoroughly professional."

Fiona Read is the Putney-based co-head of this team. Her workload comprises high-value matrimonial finance cases, and she is also noted for her experience of cross-border children cases. Sources declare she is "extremely helpful in negotiating a difficult case."

Camilla Thornton is experienced in advising clients in high-value matrimonial finance disputes, including matters involving substantial trusts and pensions assets. Other areas of expertise include prenuptial agreements, and she is also capable of providing a mediation and collaborative law service to clients.

John Hackett is a public children law specialist, who has notable experience in handling matters relating to care proceedings and adoption applications. Peers consider him to be "an excellent lawyer" in this field.

This niche family law practice handles matrimonial finance claims for high net worth clients, and its lawyers are capable of advising on matters with a substantial cross-border element.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Susan Apthorp is highly regarded for her handling of all manner of finance disputes and children matters.

Senior partner Raymond Tooth is admired for being "a fantastic litigator" who achieves notable settlements for his clients in matrimonial finance disputes.

William Hogg recently joined Sears Tooth from Cambridge Family Law Practice. He continues to enjoy a strong reputation for his contribution to collaborative law; he frequently trains others in the UK and Europe. He represents clients on an assortment of family and matrimonial issues.

This firm advises clients on all aspects of family law, including matrimonial finance, cohabitation agreements, civil partnerships and children matters. Sources describe it as "a solid firm" with good connections.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Deborah Jeff is head of the family department at the firm.

Speechly Bircham handles a range of family matters, including complex matrimonial finance cases, children matters, and both pre and postnuptial agreements. The family team draws upon the firm's expertise in the wider private client sphere, especially with regard to tax and trust issues. This department also houses a number of collaborative lawyers and mediators.

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Freeman is head of the family department. He is noted for his capability in high-value matrimonial finance disputes, and international cases in particular.

Peers admire the "specialist, sizeable matrimonial department" at this firm. It handles a range of  high-value matrimonial finance matters, often involving complex financial structures and cross-border aspects. Its client base includes a number City professionals, as well as high-profile individuals within the sports, media and entertainment industries.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Helen Ward is a "force of nature" and "the doyenne of the family law world." Clients turn to her for assistance in some of the most complex and high-value matrimonial finance matters. She recently moved to join the team from Manches.

Debbie Chism handles high-value matrimonial finance cases and is also noted for her ability to apply collaborative law methods where appropriate.

Emma Hatley handles both domestic and international matrimonial finance matters, as well as advising clients on prenuptial agreements. She has acted in a number of matters involving ultra high net worth individuals going through divorce proceedings.

Stephen Foster heads the family department and is described as "very effective and client-friendly." He has considerable experience in cases involving substantial assets and international aspects.

Matthew Humphries handles all manner of divorce and finance matters, as well as advising on disputes concerning financial provision for children. He is praised by sources for his "sensible and calm" approach to family law matters.

This niche family law practice handles a range of national and international family and children cases. The team includes specialist lawyers, mediators, collaborative lawyers and arbitrators, as well as Australian lawyers and mediators. It excels in resolving complex international child abductions and other children matters, aided by its dual-qualified lawyers and foreign language skills. It also has expertise in dealing with complex matrimonial finance cases involving high-value assets. Sources say its lawyers are "very professional and reasonable to deal with."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Helen Blackburn is an expert in family law cases concerning children, with a particular interest in child abduction law and children cases with an international dimension, including adoption, wardship, leave to remove and Brussels IIR matters. She is highly commended in this area by market sources.

Carolynn Usher is noted for her expertise in all areas of children law, and is often involved in abduction and private children cases with cross-border issues. She is also a trained mediator and collaborative lawyer. Sources say: "She has an energy for her cases that is enviable, and without her, international law wouldn’t be the same."

This firm's family law department has a strong national reputation, and it is noted for its handling of legal aid cases, especially public law children matters. Its team of specialist lawyers deals with all types of divorce-related issues, including children issues, property and cohabitation. Peers describe it as a superb team led by "solid practitioners." Clients praise its service as "well structured, well organised and ethically sound."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Maud Davis has renowned expertise in complex children cases. She is praised by clients for her "excellent communication, clarity and leadership in managing a case" and her "great understanding of child care family matters, high professionalism and competence in cross-examination."

This international family law team has specialist family lawyers in London and Hong Kong, and access to the firm's global network of offices. It is acclaimed by peers as "the best all-round firm for divorces with complicating features," and clients say: "Their service is totally bespoke." The team is noted for its ability to advise on complex issues surrounding publicity, trusts, tax, removal of children and business assets. It has recently been involved in some very high-profile cases encompassing multiple jurisdictions and offshore assets.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Diana Parker is described by peers as a great lawyer and "one of the best" when it comes to difficult international matrimonial financial matters.

Julian Lipson is head of the family practice group. He focuses on financial cases arising from relationship breakdown, and regularly handles cross-border matters. Peers describe him as "a very good lawyer, pragmatic, academically strong and firm when necessary."

Gill Doran is described by sources as "sensible but strong," practical, honest and "a safe pair of hands." She is an accomplished litigator with vast experience in high-value matrimonial finance cases. She is also trained in ADR methods.

Suzanne Kingston is well known for her ADR and mediation work, as well as for her litigation skills. She deals with complex financial settlements and cases involving children, often with a cross-border element.

Michael Gouriet is acknowledged by sources in the field as being brilliant, "very well connected" and "highly regarded." Gouriet advises on all aspects of family law, including prenuptial agreements, and he has considerable experience in dealing with cross-border matters.

Mark Harper focuses on divorce and family law, especially international cases involving trusts. He also deals with prenuptial and pre-civil partnership agreements.

James Copson is an accomplished family lawyer with a focus upon high-value cross-border matrimonial finance cases, although he is also able to handle prenuptial agreements and child abduction cases.

Lisa Fabian Lustigman is commended by peers for her resilience in handling difficult cases. She handles a range of private family law including financial disputes, children matters and cohabitation, often advising on international matters.

Suzanne Todd handles a range of finance and private law children disputes. She is noted for her cross-border expertise and a particular focus of hers is in Anglo-Italian cases.