Bortoft Bell

Family

Consultant

Catherine is “…widely regarded as one of the top divorce lawyers in the country” (Sunday Times and Management Today).  She is also described as "extremely intelligent and very calm”; she is praised for her “formidable intellect and knowledge of the law. Her approach and advice is always right”; and as "very detailed, thinks ahead and pre-empts everything. She is brilliantly tactical. Nothing escapes her”" (Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500).

Catherine deals with all aspects of private family law with a particular expertise in international litigation, having secured the jurisdiction of preference for numerous clients all over the world. She is experienced at dealing with complex financial arrangements including trust structures and corporate valuations. Catherine also advises on children disputes, including international relocation, and on a variety of agreements including prenuptial, postnuptial and cohabitation.

Having been a partner for over a decade since the age of just 26, Catherine is an experienced strategist and leader on high-profile cases. Notable victories include Al Baker v Al Baker, in which she secured a lump sum of £63 million, believed to be the largest lump sum ever awarded against a spouse after a foreign divorce; and Chai v Peng, reported in the press as one of the largest divorce awards in English legal history at £64 million. She also acted for Michelle Young in her high-profile trial Young v Young, achieving what is thought to be the largest costs order made by the family courts.

Although she is an experienced litigator, Catherine prides herself on securing highly-favourable out of court settlements for her clients where possible, particularly if this alternative route to resolution reduces costs and stress for her clients.

Catherine was previously featured in Management Today prestigious "35 under 35" list of the country’s highest achieving young business women. She has been shortlisted for "Inspirational Individual of the Year" and for "Family Lawyer of the Year, Partner" at the Citywealth Future Leaders Awards. She is “Top Recommended” in the Spear's 500 2021 Edition’s list of elite family lawyers.

Her opinion and commentary is regularly sought by the leading national and international media outlets.