Family Law
Our Family Practice Group has a full range of skills and knowledge in every aspect of public and private law relating to families and children, both nationally and internationally, from the Magistrates Courts to the House of Lords.
We represent all manner of clients: local authorities, guardians, CAFCASS Legal, parents and other family members.
The practice group’s work includes:
- Divorce and ancillary relief
- Civil Partnership Disputes
- Children private law: disputes including abduction
- Children public law: care proceedings and adoption
- All forms of injunction work
- Inheritance Act disputes
- Cohabitee disputes
- Finance provision for children
- Professional Negligence claims arising from family cases
We have specialist teams in Matrimonial Finance and Child Care.
Written work can be transmitted via email or by disk and Chambers has in-house video conference facilities for meetings with solicitors, lay clients and experts.
We have a large number of practitioners with an extensive range of experience. We can therefore offer an appropriate substitute and draw on the strength and depth of the practice group if the individual of your choice were not available.
The practice group is committed to providing an efficient but personal, friendly and approachable service, be it at court, a conference or over the telephone. We regularly work side by side with experts such as valuers, pension specialists, accountants, social workers or medical professionals to ensure that we find the right solution for each client.
Members of the practice group have extensive experience of ancillary relief work at all levels and can provide expert help to solicitors appropriate to the degree of difficulty and complexity of the case.
Since the introduction of Graduated Fees in 2001, we have been committed to providing a comprehensive service in publicly funded work, in particular so that the most vulnerable members of society still have proper legal representation.
St John’s Chambers has Law Society External Continuing Professional Development Accreditation. Members regularly conduct seminars either in Chambers, at solicitors’ offices, or at other chosen venues, not just across the Western Circuit, as we are regularly instructed to appear on cases in London and other areas of the country. If you want any further information or help in producing a training programme, please contact our clerks.
Members have appeared in many cases which have been reported and details can be provided on request.
Recommendations
Chambers UK 2010
St John’s Chambers has members who are active across the full range of family work. One of the best of these is Christopher Sharp QC, a lawyer who is “almost relentless in his attention to detail, and very forthright in both his advocacy and when handling negotiations.” He stands out at the set alongside Susan Jacklin QC, who despite only taking silk in 2006, has forged a reputation as one of the great favourites of the judges. Both can rely on strong juniors at the set. Catriona Duthie frequently takes children cases to the High Court, while Nicholas Miller specialises purely in big-money divorces. His background as a solicitor means that he is “down to earth and approachable with clients.” Interviewees talked much about his skilled advocacy and also that of Andrew Commins. Commins continues to climb the rankings as a result of his “intellect, hard work and superior client-handling skills.” He is a notable junior at a set that also includes Sheelagh Corfield. Corfield handles ancillary relief, private children and civil partnership work, while Susan Hunter is especially interested in public care work and ancillary relief.
Chambers UK 2009
The family experts at St John’s Chambers continue to provide extensive support and counsel to clients across the region. “Formidable intellectual” Christopher Sharp QC is “one of the best in the West,” praised for his “forensic mind” and his “frightening ability.” Commentators are impressed by his dedication: “He devotes a large amount of time getting to the bottom of the evidence.” Susan Jacklin QC “couldn’t work harder for her clients if she tried.” Her “calm but assertive approach instils absolute confidence in her clients” and allows her to hold sway in the courtroom. The “direct and firm” Catriona Duthie “advises her clients in a practical manner,” putting this straightforward approach to use in children-related cases. She is regularly found acting in both private and public law work. Nicholas Miller “is able to come up with imaginative solutions to complex problems.” Alongside this innovative approach, he is widely admired for his client care skills: “He builds up an excellent rapport with people and is really respected by his clients.” Sheelagh Corfield remains a popular choice as a result of her “gentle yet realistic approach.” She balances her ancillary relief practice with private children work. Susan Hunter is “easy to deal with,” a virtue that allows her to “work well with both colleagues and clients.” She deals with both ancillary relief and public law work. Andrew Commins enters the tables after receiving a raft of positive feedback for his “fantastic way with clients.” He pays “great attention to detail” and is praised for his “ability to put people at ease.”
Legal 500 2009
St John’s Chambers’ Christopher Sharp QC handles high-value ancillary relief instructions, whilst Susan Jacklin QC is noted for ‘committed and calm advocacy which achieves results‘. A strong group of recommended juniors includes Nick Miller, Sheelagh Corfield, Catriona Duthie, Kambiz Moradifar and Susan Hunter.
