Paul Lewis
Call 2007 (Middle Temple)
Qualifications BA Joint Hons (Leeds) (First Class); PG Dip. Law, BVC (BPP Law School); PG Advanced Award in Company Law (Bristol) (Distinction)
Professional Memberships Family Law Bar Association, Bar Pro Bono Unit, Free Representation Unit
Awards Middle Temple Jules Thorn Scholar (CPE 2005-06 & BVC 2006-07)
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Background
Paul studied History and Italian at the University of Leeds, gaining first class honours with a distinction in spoken Italian. His studies include time spent at McGill University (Canada) and Universite degli Studi di Urbino (Italy). After working in the City for two years, he completed his CPE and BVC at the BPP Law School, London. He commenced pupillage at St John’s Chambers in 2007. Paul joined the Family Practice Group in 2008, upon successful completion of his pupillage.
Family Law
Paul’s main interests are in matrimonial finance and related private client work.
Matrimonial Finance
Paul’s principle interest is in divorce and matrimonial finance. He regularly deals with ancillary relief and other financial proceedings arising upon marital breakdown. Paul has experience dealing with the recognition of foreign marriages and divorces, as well as domestic and reciprocal enforcement of financial orders. Paul has a solid understanding of company and insolvency law, making him uniquely placed to deal with complex cases involving personal bankruptcy, family businesses and other matters related to corporate insolvency.
Cohabitation Disputes
Paul also has a particular interest in cohabitation disputes involving the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 and issues of co-ownership of property, including claims involving constructive trusts and proprietary estoppel.
Paul is regularly asked to advise both in writing and in conference in this area and will often prepare early advices on merits or on proposals for settlement; these regularly assist the lay client to achieve the best outcome at the earliest opportunity.
Paul represents both claimants and defendants at multi-track hearings under the provisions of the Civil Procedure Rules.
Inheritance Act Claims
In the private client field, Paul has a particular interest in advising and representing all parties involved in claims against estates under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Paul has been instructed both for the claimants and to represent the personal representatives as defendants, and have developed a valuable expertise in this area of Family Law.
Paul also regularly deals with financial applications for children under the Children Act 1989.
Seminars
Paul has given seminars on a number of topics including the following:
- Insolvency and ancillary relief
- Bankruptcy and matrimonial finance
- Cohabitation – law reform, legal developments and the future
Paul is always prepared to give lectures on areas of family law of particular interest to practice groups. Please contact his clerks for further details.
Paul endeavours in all circumstances to return paperwork within 10 days of receipt.
Civil Law
Paul is also a member of the Employment Law Practice Group, and accepts instructions in general civil and commercial work.
