Practice Areas
Dispute Resolution
Direct Access
‘One of the best advocates on his feet, he’s razor-sharp, especially in cross-examination, and never loses sight of the empathy required to be a truly great family barrister.’
Chambers & Partners 2024
Experience
Year of Call: 1987
Qualifications
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Education
LLB (Hons) (Nottingham)
Languages
German
Appointments
MCIArb
Profile
Stephen has a wide range of expertise in all areas of family law, from leading child care cases to complex ancillary relief disputes. Although family law is Stephen’s specialist area of practice, his background includes extensive experience in both civil law and criminal law, which gives him highly developed skills as an advocate.
Stephen’s principal specialism is ancillary relief, in which he has built up a successful practice built upon a reputation for incisive analysis and, where appropriate, robust advocacy. His civil expertise lends itself well to “big money” cases in which he is able to demonstrate a rigorous and structured approach to complex financial issues.
Stephen has been described by the legal press as “approachable and dependable”. He is in great demand by leading family solicitors both in London and the regions and as a consequence enjoys a nationwide reputation as a leading family lawyer. Stephen places great importance on an open and friendly relationship with both solicitors and lay clients, and is a firm believer in providing a service which is practical, realistic, and tailored to meet the needs of individual clients.
Stephen is an active participant in the continuing education of solicitors, by way of lectures and seminars.
Professional Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
Affiliate Member of Resolution
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Directories
“A Gifted advocate. Stephen is extraordinarily quick at grappling with the issues, presenting them and then fighting them.”
“A safe pair of hands, knowledgeable and realistic.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“One of the best advocates on his feet, he’s razor-sharp, especially in cross-examination, and never loses sight of the empathy required to be a truly great family barrister.”
“He has a brilliant ability to present the most difficult arguments in an effective, eloquent and persuasive way.”
“If you are in a courtroom you want him on your side. He has exceptional advocacy skills, especially in cross-examination.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024
‘Stephen is thorough, articulate, and excellent in preparation and presentation.’
Legal 500, 2024
“One of the elder statesmen of the family law world, he’s a very experienced and pragmatic heavy-hitter.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
‘Stephen is a go-to barrister for particularly complex cases or cases with challenging clients. He has a fantastic client manner, and his skill and experience means that he mixes it with silks without ever being overawed or outgunned. He is respected throughout the profession and is listened to.’
Legal 500, 2023
Respected senior junior who possesses a deep knowledge of matrimonial finance proceedings, and regularly represents clients of significant wealth and international standing. He is additionally a qualified family arbitrator, and has niche expertise in Islamic marriage issues.
Strengths: “He has a lovely manner with vulnerable clients, and is able to communicate with them in a direct but sensitive way.” “Clients have a high opinion of him and he rolls his sleeves up on their behalf.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
‘A fierce and hugely experienced advocate. ’
Legal 500, 2022
Respected senior junior who possesses a deep knowledge of matrimonial finance proceedings, regularly represents clients of significant wealth and international standing. He is additionally a qualified family arbitrator.
Strengths: “Thorough, extremely user-friendly and pragmatic.” “He is always able to handle complex issues with speed and ease.” “Clients really like him because he is on their side and fights their corner.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
‘Can mix it with senior barristers without being outgunned, whilst always maintaining a professional and calm demeanour.’
Legal 500, 2021
Respected senior junior who possesses a deep knowledge of matrimonial finance proceedings and regularly represents clients of significant wealth and international standing. He is additionally a qualified family arbitrator.
Strengths: “Has a forensic understanding of financial issues, and is able to cut through very complex issues in a short amount of time.” “You have total confidence in his knowledge and presentation of the issues to the court.”
Chambers & Partners 2020
‘Can mix it with senior barristers without being outgunned, whilst always maintaining a professional and calm demeanour.’
Legal 500, 2020
Respected senior junior who possesses a deep knowledge of matrimonial finance proceedings and regularly represents clients of significant wealth and international standing. He is additionally a qualified family arbitrator and sits in ADR proceedings.
Strengths: “He has a fantastically down to earth approach with clients.” “His intelligence shines through in his advocacy, and he really inspires confidence in his clients.”
Chambers & Partners 2019
‘He has the trust of judges and the opposing counsel.’
Legal 500, 2019
Respected senior junior who possesses a deep knowledge of matrimonial finance proceedings and services clients of significant wealth including international persons. He is additionally a qualified family arbitrator and sits in ADR proceedings.
Strengths: “He’s very good with clients, very user-friendly and loved by judges because they know he’s being straight.”
Chambers & Partners 2018
‘A fantastically thorough advocate.’
Legal 500, 2017
Respected senior junior who possesses a deep knowledge of matrimonial finance proceedings and services clients of significant wealth. He is additionally a qualified family arbitrator and sits in ADR proceedings.
Strengths: “His client care skills are phenomenal and he really has the ear of the court.”
Chambers & Partners 2017
‘Excellent with vulnerable clients; he can be sensitive as well as robust, making him very adaptable.’
The Legal 500, 2016
A financial remedy specialist who is “able to get straight to the point and really narrow the issues down.” He has developed a particular expertise in jurisdictional issues.
Strengths: “If I want somebody to be given a hard time in the witness box he’s the person to do it. He’s persistent, without being overly aggressive and unpleasant. He has a good way of pushing his point and getting what he wants out of the witness.”
Chambers & Partners 2016
Practises exclusively in the sphere of matrimonial finance, and is strong on cases concerning complex jurisdictional disputes.
Expertise: “He’s got a terrific ability to get to the heart of a problem, and has exceptional reserves of common sense.”
Recent work: Represented the husband in a much-publicised case in which the ex-wife commenced a high-profile relationship with international footballer Cesc Fabregas.
Chambers & Partners 2015