Christopher Sharp QC (Head of the Practice Group)
Call 1975 (Inner Temple) (QC 1999)
Qualifications MA (Oxon), Visiting Fellow, University of the West of England, Bristol
Professional Memberships Member of the Family Law Bar Association (FLBA), Founder Chairman of the Bristol FLBA, Member of the Professional Negligence Bar Association.
Judicial Office Recorder 2004
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Area of Practice
Family and Professional Negligence
A Family Law specialist for many years, Christopher’s extensive experience includes:
- High value ancillary relief cases especially on the Western Circuit, the Midlands and London.
- Both private and public law children’s cases, instructed by parents, children’s guardian, local authorities and the Official Solicitor including cases involving catastrophic injuries and death of young children, as well as sexual and other abuse.
- Compensation claims for sexual and physical abuse both in the courts and for Criminal Compensation.
- Professional negligence claims arising, in particular, from ancillary relief cases.
- With many reported cases, Christopher is frequently instructed on appeals to the Court of Appeal.
A visiting Fellow at the University of the West of England, Christopher regularly contributes articles to the professional press and lectures on subjects related to matrimonial finance.
Direct Access
Christopher is qualified to undertake Direct Access work in appropriate cases, for further information, please visit our Direct Access page.
Recommendations
Chambers UK 2010
- One of the best, 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.
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.”
Legal 500 2009
- St John’s Chambers’ Christopher Sharp QC handles high-value ancillary relief instructions
Reported Cases
- Re A (Suspended Residence Order) [2010] 1 FLR 1679 (Fam Div) – change of residence in light of intractable opposition to contact, suspended pending compliance. Order upheld by CA (and eventual change of residence subsequently upheld by CA)
- Re D (Children) [2009] CA (Civ Div) (Lawtel ref AC970050) child sexual abuse, contact orders, expert reports, father sexually abusing step-daughter, indirect contact with sons, s.1(3) Children Act 1989
- Bath & North East Somerset Council v A Mother & Ors. [2009] EWHC B10 (Fam) (BAILII citation) – publication of judgment in family proceedings
- H (A Child) [2009] EWCA Civ 334, Family Law Week (5.5.09): CA, sexual abuse, appropriate approach to judicial analysis of evidence
- Bath & North East Somerset Council v A Mother & Ors. [2008] EWHC B10 (Fam) (BAILII citation) – impact of team manager’s impropriety and influence
- A v Hoare [2008] 1 FLR 771: (House of Lords) Sexual assault; limitation
- RP v RP [2007] 1 FLR 2105: Financial relief, compensation, earning capacity, clean break. confused state of law
- Van Laethem v Brooker [2006] 2 FLR 495. Ch Div – TLATA claim involving mansion and development land
- A v Hoare [2006] 2 FLR 727 – Human Rights and Limitation issues in damages claim for sexual assault
- B v B [2005] EWCA 237: lifting stay in sexual abuse claim
- Ram v Ram [2005] 2 FLR 75 – Jurisdiction to order sale of property after bankruptcy
- C (A child) v Woolcombe Yonge (A Firm) [2001] Ch D – Solicitors’ negligence
- N v N [1997] Fam D – Foreign Divorce: Financial Relief
- B v B [1995] Fam D – Consent Order: Variation
- S v S [1994] Fam D – Ancillary relief, experts’ evidence and costs
- Smith v Smith [1992] CA – W’s suicide, Barder type Appeal
- Re G [1988] Fam D – Child Abuse; burden of proof
- Roberts v Roberts [1986] – Fam D pensions
- Stockford v Stockford [1982] – CA net effect
Articles
- Pre-nuptial Agreements: a Rethink Required [2008] Fam Law (August)
- ‘Advocates’ Immunity in Common Law Jurisdictions’: New Zealand Law Journal – November 2006
- The Use of Section 24A Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 and its role in personal insolvency: published Fam Law [2005] 132 (February)
- Bigamy and Financial Relief: published [2003] Family Law 414
- The Manchester Conjoined Twins Case: A case note on the Court of Appeal decision in Re A addressing both Family Law aspects and consent to operative intervention. – Published 6 October 2000, NLJ Vol 150 p. 1460
- Putting Children First: New Zealand Law Journal (Dec 1998)
