ToLATA

St John's Chambers is one of the foremost sets practising family law on the Western Circuit. Practitioners at the set are well known for their expertise in high-value financial remedy work as well as public and private child law. Interviewees regard this as 'one of the top leading sets in Bristol and the South West.' "

Chambers UK  2020
Family/Matrimonial

Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (ToLATA) claims are becoming more commonplace and St John’s’ Family & Divorce team have a number of experts who can offer advice and representation in all areas of cohabitation disputes including Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989.

We advise in both contentious and non contentious cases, acting at every level of Tribunal and Court, both in the UK and overseas. Our cases include instructions from private individuals in domestic disputes and advising where one or more of the parties may lack capacity.

We have particular expertise in high net worth and international cases. A number of our barristers are expert mediators or arbitrators and can deal with ToLATA and Schedule 1 claims in this capacity.

Our barristers are often quoted in articles about family law, or indeed publish their own – both in the mainstream and legal press, along with specialist journals and via their own respected family law blogs. Barristers have been featured in a variety of publications and BBC programmes.

Our clerking team are always accessible, and take care and time to understand the case or the individual personalities involved when recommending individual barristers.

Public Access

Some members of the team are also available to act, where appropriate, for members of the public, under the Public Access scheme. Read more.

Publications and training

Members regularly conduct seminars in Chambers, at solicitors’ offices, or at other chosen venues throughout the UK. We maintain close ties with academics and our members include several published authors, as well as writing for legal periodicals. Please contact Luke Hodgson on 0117 923 4709 or email [email protected]

Contact the clerks:

T: 0117 923 4720
Email clerks

  • “St John’s Chambers has a lengthy roster of silks and juniors with invaluable expertise in a wide range of family and matrimonial matters. Members are particularly skilled at handling cross-jurisdictional matters for high net worth individuals, especially those concerning the division of assets as part of divorce proceedings. The barristers are frequently called upon to assist with the most complex public children mandates encompassing sexual abuse, brain injury and trafficking matters, and also take on private work such as Children Act proceedings. ‘St John’s is our first choice of chambers on the Western Circuit. What sets them apart is the breadth and depth of their membership,” one source says.’ “

    Chambers UK,  2021
    Family & Divorce

  • “Luke Hodgson is the practice manager for the family team and Elaine Jewell-Moore, the family law practice team leader, is described as ‘particularly great, prompt and efficient.’ “

    Chambers UK,  2021
    Family & Divorce (Client Service)

  • “St John’s Chambers is home to a large team of family barristers specialising in high-profile public and private family matters on the Western Circuit.”

    Chambers UK,  2021
    Family & Divorce

  • “St John’s Chambers is one of the foremost sets practising family law on the Western Circuit. Practitioners at the set are well known for their expertise in high-value financial remedy work as well as public and private child law. Its members regularly engage in highly complex cases regarding domestic violence, sexual abuse and social care matters. Barristers at the chambers are also known for their experience in cross-border issues arising from financial remedy and child protection mandates. Interviewees regard this as ‘one of the top leading sets in Bristol and the South West.’ “

    Chambers UK,  2020
    Family/Matrimonial

  • “The clerks are incredibly helpful. They will bend over backwards to help, including at extremely short notice in urgent cases.”

    Chambers UK,  2020
    Family/Matrimonial (Client Service)

  • “Home to a large contingent of specialist family barristers, who provide ‘great depth‘ across public and private children law cases, as well as all aspects of divorce and financial remedy work. Areas of specialism include international assets in finance cases, non-accidental injury matters involving complex causation evidence, and child maintenance, where Jody Atkinson is the key name to note.”

    Legal 500,  2020
    FAMILY AND CHILDREN LAW

  • “Solid set of family law barristers from most senior to most junior. Excellent support and collaboration provided to their up and coming juniors.”

    Legal 500 client feedback

  • “St John’s are very well respected in Bristol and the South West, used by our team across our offices. They have a range of specialisms and have assisted in cases involving children, complex finances and unmarried couples.”

    Legal 500 client feedback