Baroness Fiona Shackleton > Payne Hicks Beach LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Payne Hicks Beach LLP Offices

Payne Hicks Beach LLP
10 NEW SQUARE
LINCOLN'S INN
LONDON
WC2A 3QG
England
Visit website 020 7465 4300 020 7465 4400

Baroness Fiona Shackleton

Fiona Shackleton photo
020 7465 4300 [email protected] View profile

Work Department

Family

Position

Fiona is renowned for her to-level practice advising high profile and ultra-high and high net worth private individuals in relation to complex and confidential divorce proceedings, many of them with an international element.

Most recently, Fiona led the team who achieved a significant victory in the landmark case of Potanin v Potanina, representing Mr Vladimir Potanin. The Judgment achieved substantial change for those seeking to bring applications under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984.

Fiona has earned a variety of accolades over the years and is regularly named amongst the top legal names in the country. She is regarded by industry observers and her peers as Britain’s most feared and revered divorce lawyer. Amongst her peers who work with or against her, Fiona’s honesty and integrity is legendary, and coupled with her acute mastery of the law she is respected as commanding an unparalleled position as the top divorce lawyer in London.

Fiona was appointed to the rank of LVO in the New Year’s Honours List 2006, given an honorary doctorate by Exeter University in 2010 and made a Life Peer that year. Fiona has been awarded the prestigious Outstanding Achievement in Legal Services prize at The Legal 500 UK Awards.

Fiona has used the knowledge garnered from 40 years in the profession to do a research project in human relationships “The Shackleton Project” with a view to educating people in making the right decision for marriage.

Career

Qualified: 1980.  Brecher & Co 1981-84, Partner 1983.  Farrer & Co as a Partner 1984-2000.  Payne Hicks Beach since 2001 as a Partner.

Lawyer Rankings

London > Private client > Family

(Hall of Fame)

Baroness Fiona Shackleton – Payne Hicks Beach LLP

‘Quite simply the best HNW divorce team in London‘, the family offering at Payne Hicks Beach LLP provides ‘a top-rate level of service to clients and achieves fantastic results’. Nick Manners took over as head of the practice in May 2024, noted for his work on complicated financial remedy litigation and jurisdictional disputes. Fiona Shackleton is a standout figure in the team; ‘brilliant with clients and brilliant with the case‘, she is sought after by high-profile individuals for complex divorce proceedings. The team regularly handles wealth protection matters, including pre- and post-nuptial agreements; Philip McGuirk is a go-to for this work, which is also a focus of mediator Matthew Booth’s practice. ‘Big money’ cases, requiring expert valuations and complex budgets, are an area of strength for Ben Parry-Smith, while Simon Beccle is noted for work with an international element. Sarah Williams heads up the team’s modern family law offering, with extensive expertise regarding fertility, surrogacy, and adoption law. Katie Parkes is experienced in dealing with international children matters. Isabella Savill is also recommended. Catherine Costley and Joshua Moger departed the team in November 2023 to Fladgate LLP, and Harriet Errington was a ‘brilliant addition‘ from Boodle Hatfield LLP, joining the team in April 2024.

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