An incredibly bright junior and an exceptional advocate.”

The Legal 500 2024, Family: Divorce and Financial Remedy

Bethany’s practice encompasses the full range of financial remedy proceedings. She is comfortable handling complex trust structures, pension issues and family businesses. She has further acted in cases with offshore assets and suspected non-disclosure.

Bethany is well aware of the emotional strain entwined in financial remedy proceedings, and combines financial rigour with sensitivity for the client’s personal situation.

Prior to joining St John’s Chambers, Bethany completed pupillage at 1 Hare Court. As a pupil, she gained considerable experience in Schedule 1 CA 1989, Maintenance Regulation (EC), jurisdictional/forum disputes, No.4/2009 and financial remedy proceedings complicated by concurrent insolvency proceedings.

Bethany also acts in barrister led financial mediation and is happy to advise on potential financial settlements in conference.

Directory Quotes

Bethany is an excellent advocate. She prepares thoroughly and is skilled at working with vulnerable clients as she employs both empathy and objectivity. She is razor-sharp in her ability to find the key to the case. Her approach to each matter is entirely client centred. Her advocacy is a force to be reckoned with. ‘Bethany’s approach to each case is meticulous. She is astute and dynamic’.”

Chambers UK 2024, Family: Matrimonial Finance

Bethany specialises in financial remedies disputes and private children law, with particular experience in cases that involve cross-jurisdictional issues. ‘Bethany has an excellent eye for detail and quickly grasps complex issues.’ ‘She is an extremely strong advocate who is able to empathise with clients while providing robust advice.’ ‘Bethany’s client relationship work was excellent. She made a difficult case easy for the client to understand.’ “

Chambers UK 2023, Family: Matrimonial Finance

Bethany is fiercely intelligent, forthright and dynamic. She is, forensically, extremely astute and provides sensible, client-focused advice.”

Legal 500 2023, Divorce & Financial Remedy

Client Quotes

Bethany’s grasp of the relevant issues in this complicated case was outstanding. Her preparation leading up to the trial was fastidious, her advocacy skills exceptional and her attention to perfecting a complex order quite remarkable. The authoritative but sympathetic guidance she provided at Court was particularly invaluable, given the unpleasant nature of the case. I would not hesitate to instruct her or recommend her to others in the future.”

Hellen Williams, Solicitor, Woodland Davies LLP
  • Qualifications & awards:

    • BCL, Oxford University, (Distinction),
    • BA in Jurisprudence, Oxford University, (First Class) (top of the year in family law and administrative law)
    • BPTC
    • BPP Law School, (Very Competent)
    • Manches Prize (University of Oxford 2013)
    • The Martin Wronker Prize (University of Oxford 2013)
    • Lord Denning Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn 2013)
    • Hardwicke Entrance Award (Lincoln’s Inn 2012)
    • 4 New Square Scholarship (University of Oxford 2014)
    • Sunley Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn 2015)
    • Ruth Deech Prize (St. Anne’s College, University of Oxford 2016)
    • Ely Carter Prize (St. Anne’s College, University of Oxford 2016)
  • Professional memberships:

    • Family Law Bar Association
    • Bar Pro Bono Unit
    • Lord Denning Society
    • Lincoln’s Inn
  • Additional information:

    Originally from Cornwall, Beth moved to Oxford and thereafter London to complete her legal education and training. She developed her passion for family law and children’s rights as an undergraduate at Oxford where she ultimately finished top in her year for the subject. Beth went on to receive a scholarship enabling her to become a postgraduate at Oxford, submitting a BCL dissertation scrutinizing the courts’ treatment of Gillick competent children refusing medical treatment. This has given her a strong knowledge in the areas where family law and medical law overlap. She also spent her time as a postgraduate studying equality law and anti-discrimination mechanisms across the UK, EU, India and Canada. This included consideration of equal marriage rights and rights to a family/private life.

    Throughout her training Beth has provided pro bono advice and representation on a range of private children and school exclusion matters. She has also worked as a children’s rights research assistant, exploring whether children have rights specific to them as children.

    Beth is a keen legal commentator and contributor to Jordan’s Family Law Online

  • Bethany Scarsbrook is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please read here.