Adam is an associate solicitor in the Private Client department. He advises individuals, trustees and families on a broad range of tax, trust, estate and succession planning issues. He also works closely with the estate administration team and regularly assists clients with the administration of complex and high net worth estates.
Alex is a senior associate in the Family department at Payne Hicks Beach. His field of expertise spans the spectrum of private family law matters, although he predominantly specialises in advising on the financial issues arising upon the breakdown of marriage for high and ultra-high net worth individuals and their spouses. He has worked on cases that have been heard in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and has acted for and against Premier League footballers, musicians, business leaders, the ultra-wealthy and City bankers. The work that Alex undertakes will often feature international individuals or assets, with complex asset structures involving trusts, businesses and nuptial agreements, the drafting of which, he regularly deals with. He has a wealth of experience in dealing with applications for emergency injunctive relief to preserve assets or to rectify wrongful interference with them. Alex is also accustomed to advising and representing clients in proceedings concerning financial provision for the children of unmarried parents. Alex’s children law experience has seen him act on cases involving applications for leave to remove to the United States and working on cases involving risks of international child abduction and securing appropriate safeguards (including the biggest financial bond ever reported to permit international travel) in Switzerland, Monaco, France, Dubai and India. He has successfully pursued and obtained findings in proceedings involving the falsification of physical and sexual abuse allegations, coaching and parental alienation. Alex is able to bring a wealth of experience to his clients to assist them in identifying their aims and objectives and devising a clear and strategic path to obtain them by providing pragmatic and coherent advice. He is adept at working with conciliatory and constructive methods of dispute resolution just as much as he is litigating proceedings when required. Alex completed his training contract with a leading family law team in Manchester and qualified as a solicitor in 2015. Alex moved to London in 2016, was promoted to Senior Associate in 2019 and joined Payne Hicks Beach in 2021. Cases of note include: AB v CD and C [2019] EWHC 1695 (Fam) AB v CD and C (no2) [2019] EWHC 2244 (Fam) AB v CD [2021] EWFC 38 LKM v KPM [2022 EWHC] 140 (Fam)
Alexander is an associate in the Property department. He specialises in commercial property matters, including acquisitions and disposals, development and corporate occupier work. Alexander acts for corporate clients, investors, developers, private individuals and trusts.
Amy is a senior associate in the Family department. Amy has specialised exclusively in family law since qualifying as a solicitor, with a particular focus on complex financial remedy work involving significant wealth. She regularly advises in jurisdiction disputes and her cases frequently involve families and assets in multiple jurisdictions, complex corporate structures, and overseas pensions. Amy often advises individuals on private children law matters including child arrangement issues and leave to remove cases. Amy has worked on cases being heard at all levels including in the Supreme Court. She has been named by the Legal 500 for the last 3 years as a ‘Rising Star’, described by the directory as ‘ incredibly diligent’ and rated ‘very highly’. Amy featured in the Citywealth Top 50 Private Client and Family Legal Heroes list in 2022 and is an appointed member of Resolution’s Pension, Tax and Financial Remedies Committee.
Andrea is a senior associate in the Property department at Payne Hicks Beach. She specialises in commercial landlord and tenant work and the sale and purchase of commercial and residential properties. She advises substantial private companies and individuals, based in the UK and overseas.
Andrew specialises in reputation management. His work covers all aspects of media law, including defamation, confidence, privacy, harassment and data protection. His background as a commercial litigator means that he has considerable expertise in complex disputes including those involving allegations of fraud and issues of cybersecurity. He has particular expertise in the evolving field of cyber and privacy law, representing victims of highly sophisticated cyber-attacks and privacy intrusions in some of the most significant and ground-breaking cases in this jurisdiction. The nature of Andrew’s work is often confidential, however recent reported cases include HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein v HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Hourani v Thomson & others. Andrew also has significant experience in third party disclosure requests, including claims under the Norwich Pharmacal jurisdiction. Andrew writes numerous articles and contributions in the national and legal press, and gives conferences on a wide range of legal issues relating to media and privacy law.
An experienced litigator in a broad range of areas of law, Ane Vernon specialises in disputes arising in the commercial, education and regulatory sector, including safeguarding. Ane leads the Payne Hicks Beach education and public law team. She is proud of longstanding relationships with her clients whom she advises on a wide range of issues, often with a view to averting potential claims or defending existing claims. Ane regularly represents clients in high value and multi-party litigation in the High Court, including contractual/commercial and corporate cases. She has significant experience representing students and their parents facing exclusions or suspensions and is accustomed to handling the many sensitive issues that arise out of claims of misconduct, whether this is the victim or the person facing the allegations. Schools and institutional clients also regularly turn to Ane for advice in relation to their policies, byelaws and regulations, and in connection with membership examinations, disciplinary matters, complaints and appeals. Understanding that litigation is not always the route best suited to achieve her clients’ objectives, Ane has an exceptional track record of careful strategic planning which leads to workable solutions for her clients. She is both experienced in taking litigation to trial and in obtaining favourable commercial outcomes through alternative forms of dispute resolution such as mediation. A skilled and efficient case manager, clients value her sound and practical legal advice and her empathy when helping them deal with the difficult and sensitive issues that can arise during disputes. Ane has successfully represented clients in judicial review applications acting for both claimants and defendants. The decision in The London Oratory School’s claim against the Schools Adjudicator and the Secretary of State for Education attracted national media coverage and widespread public debate concerning faith schools in the UK. More recently she was involved in the judicial review challenge of the government’s decision to terminate the Leveson Inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the press.
Aoife is an associate in the Family department. Aoife advises clients in relation to a wide range of family law issues, both contentious and non-contentious, which may arise during cohabitation, in contemplation of marriage and on divorce or dissolution. This includes nuptial agreements, financial remedy proceedings and private law children matters.
Basil's practice is broad-based and encompasses the whole spectrum of private client onshore and offshore work. He frequently advises on ultra-high net worth matters with his clients ranging from landed estates with the deepest of roots in the UK to those with no connection with the UK at all. Basil advises on issues concerning onshore and offshore tax planning, the establishment and use of trusts and other structures, US/UK planning, family governance, philanthropy and conflict of laws. Basil works closely with trustees, lawyers and other advisers in a number of jurisdictions including France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the Channel Islands, the Caribbean, Singapore, India, the Middle East, the US and Canada.
Described in The Lawyer Hot 100 2019 as a "protégé of Fiona Shackleton", Ben is a partner in the Family department and advises on all aspects of family law: children, divorce/civil partnership, co-habitation, pre/post nuptial agreements, complex financial disputes and jurisdictional issues. Much of his work has an international element. He has dealt with cases involving the relocation of children and on matters involving same-sex parents. Ben has experience of dealing with matters where decision-making capacity is an issue and often acts in cases involving trusts. Ben has worked on the leading case involving “special contribution”, as part of the team representing HRH Princess Haya and recently on a case where a wife’s behaviour was so bad that the judge awarded her less than half the matrimonial pot. He has a broad practice and gives as much care and attention to a case in the Central Family Court where every penny spent on lawyers really matters, as he does to a Supreme Court case. He is one of a handful of lawyers doing heavy weight financial and complex children work. Ben read law at Merton College, Oxford and trained at Mishcon. Clients say Ben always remains cheerful under pressure and tries to find humour when things get grim.
Camellia is a senior associate in the Family department. Camellia specialises in ultra/high net worth cases and advises on the full range of matrimonial finance work including pre and post-nuptial agreements, Schedule 1 cases (financial provision for the benefit of a child of unmarried parents), jurisdictional disputes and complex financial claims upon divorce. She also advises on all aspects of private children law including cases with complex and contentious contact arrangements with jurisdictional or harm factors in play and relocation applications. Her practice covers co-habitation and separation agreements, Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders and her cases often involve an international element and/or complex trust structures. Case Highlights • Collardeau-Fuchs v Fuchs [2022] EWFC 6 • WX v HX & NX and LX [2021] EWHC 241 • Potanina v Potanin [2021] EWCA Civ 702 • Potanin v Potanina [2019] EWHC 2956 • M (Children) (Non-Hague Convention State) [2020] EWCA Civ 277 Awards/Rankings Ranked - As an associate to watch in Chambers and Partners 2022 (Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth) and 2023 (Family/Matrimonial: Ultra High Net Worth) Shortlisted - Family Lawyer of the Year, Senior/Managing Associate - Citywealth Future Leaders 2023 Shortlisted - Family Lawyer of the Year, Senior/Managing Associate - Citywealth Future Leaders 2020 Future Leaders Top 100 - Citywealth Future Leaders 2020
Charlotte is an senior associate in the Dispute Resolution department with particular focus on contentious trusts and probate disputes. Charlotte has recently been involved in acting in applications for the removal and substitution of Executors, representing high net worth beneficiaries in cross-border litigation concerning breach of trust and/or breach of fiduciary duty by trustees, and advising both executors/will trustees and beneficiaries/potential beneficiaries in disputes relating to challenges to the validity of wills, mental capacity, and claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
Charlotte is a legal director in the Family department with a wealth of experience in advising clients on all issues arising throughout their relationships that affect them and their children, including pre- and mid-nuptial agreements, divorce, co-habitation, complex financial disputes and jurisdictional issues. She is also well versed in private children matters, including with whom children are to live and spend their time, and applications for leave for children to move to a different country. Many of her cases have an international element and regularly involve high net worth individuals, often with complicated company or trust structures. Cases of interest include: • MY v FY (2020) EWFC 48 (17 July 2020) – acting for the mother in a continuation of Children Act proceedings with regard to unsupervised contact between the father and the youngest son, following an incident between the father and one of the elder sons. • Owens v Owens (2018) UKSC 41 (25 July 2018) Supreme Court – representing the wife, Tini Owens. This case has led to the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, which introduced ‘no fault’ divorce in England and Wales. • Alireza v Radwan & Ors (2017) EWCA Civ 1545 (12 October 2017) (Court of Appeal) – acting for the wife in her successful appeal against a financial remedies order which had allowed her and the children to occupy their home on a time-limited basis only. • Owens v Owens (2017) EWCA Civ 82 (24 March 2017) (Court of Appeal) – representing the wife in an unsuccessful appeal of a first instance decision that the client was not entitled to a divorce, and therefore unable end her marriage. • FY v MY & Ors (2016) EWFC 16 (23 March 2016) – acting for the mother in long running Children Act proceedings in the High Court, following the mother successfully defending the father’s previous application that the children move to live with him in Dubai. • NR v AB, BCO Ltd, MB and LB [2016] EWHC 277 (Fam), (2016) EWHC 277 (Fam) – acting for the wife in a complex financial remedy case in the High Court, including inherited assets, a potential nuptial settlement and significant assets outside England and Wales. • SJ v RA and RF (2014) EWHC 4054 (4 December 2014) – acting for the wife in the final hearing of long running proceedings as to the division of assets after a 40 year marriage, including commercial and residential property, a housing development site and shares in a private family Company. • Shield v Shield (2014) EWCA Civ 1136 (3 July 2014) (Court of Appeal) – acting for the wife on her son’s unsuccessful application for permission to appeal of the judgment in the below case. • Shield v Shield (2014) EWHC 23 - acting for the wife on the hearing of a preliminary issue to determine whether her husband’s shareholding in the family business was held on trust for his son, who was intervening in the proceedings.
Chris specialises in all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law. His practice involves advising both employers and employees, with a particular focus on advising employers. Chris regularly advises employers in negotiating the departure of directors and senior executives, redundancy consultation exercises and business reorganisations, disciplinary and performance management, employee grievances, managing ill health and return to work, maternity and family friendly rights, data protection, restrictive covenants, TUPE, outsourcing and transactional work. Chris also advises senior executives and other employees in contractual negotiations, disciplinary and performance management, grievances, preservation of the employment relationship and negotiating terms of departure from employment. He has considerable experience of complex Employment Tribunal litigation and has been involved in employment disputes in the High Court.
Clementine is an associate in the dispute resolution team specialising in commercial litigation and contentious trust/estate matters. She advises companies, funds, trustees, beneficiaries and high-net worth individuals on a wide range of commercial and trust/estate litigation, including shareholder disputes, insolvency issues, fraud and asset recovery, contractual and negligence claims, claims for breach of trust and fiduciary duty, disputes between beneficiaries and contentious probate matters. Clementine is particularly well-placed to advise on disputes involving complex corporate structures, multi-jurisdictional issues and questions of company law, owing to her prior experience in the private equity team at Weil Gotshal & Manges and on secondment to the investment funds Oaktree Capital and Hambro Perks.
Dean is a senior associate and Chartered Tax Adviser in the Private Client department at Payne Hicks Beach. He advises on a broad range of personal tax, trust, estate and succession planning issues for UK and international clients. His work involves a variety of disciplines, from advising trustees in relation to the exercise of their powers and drafting trust and supplemental deeds, undertaking probate work and advising HNW clients in relation to their estate planning, to managing personal and trust tax disclosures both in the UK and abroad, dealing with cross-border restructurings of corporate and trust structures, and acting for charities in relation to funding endowments. As a Chartered Tax Adviser he is able to distil complex multi-faceted cases into clear and practical advice for clients and solve red flag issues before they develop further. Dean regularly works alongside Payne Hicks Beach’s Family lawyers to provide trust, estate and tax advice within the context of divorce proceedings. He also advises executors on the administration of UK estates and has experience in creating and registering UK charities and liaising with the Charity Commission for England & Wales on behalf of trustees. He is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.
Dominic specialises in the law of privacy, breach of confidence, defamation and harassment, but the nature of his clients and instructions has given rise to a very wide range of experience and legal expertise. For over two decades he has acted in leading cases and is well known for acting for high profile individuals including actors, preeminent businesspeople, prominent politicians, sportspersons and musicians. He is often instructed at times of crisis, and in relation to sensitive, complex issues for corporate entities as well as individuals. Inevitably, the majority of Dominic’s work is highly confidential, however, he has been involved in matters in the public domain including a number of cases in the High Court, and the highest appellate courts (including the European Court of Human Rights) that have helped develop the law of privacy and libel. Dominic has acted in Public Inquiries, including the Leveson Inquiry (he acted for all 53 “Core Participant Victims”), in the Family Division of the High Court and the Court of Appeal acting for Princess Haya in her proceedings and ground-breaking claims concerning the misuse of spyware and the welfare of her children against Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum. He acted for Steve Coogan in his phone-hacking claim and for Max Mosley in his 2008 case against the News of the World.
Domonique is a Senior Associate in the Employment Department. She advises both businesses and individuals on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law issues at each stage of the employment life cycle. She provides strategic advice on complex legal issues such as restructuring exercises, the impact of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 on mergers and acquisitions or tendered services as well as representing both Claimants and Respondents in all aspects of employment litigation including within the Employment Tribunal, Employment Appeal Tribunal and in the Civil Courts.
Emily is a senior associate in the Dispute Resolution department with a particular focus on contentious trusts and probate disputes along with some commercial work. Emily has recently worked on applications for the removal of trustees and blessing of trustee decisions, challenging the validity of wills, acted for both the defendants and claimants in relation to claims for financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and been involved in claims for unfair prejudice under section 994 of the Companies Act.
Emma is a partner in the Property department. She advises on all aspects of residential property with particular expertise in landlord and tenant matters, leasehold enfranchisement development, complex funding arrangements, acting for clients from overseas and ancillary tax matters. Emma acts for private individuals, investors, developers, banks and institutions. She frequently acts for clients from overseas and often leads teams of advisers in a number of different jurisdictions. When acting for private individuals buying property for their own use, Emma offers a ‘turnkey’ service: formulating the offer, acting on the acquisition, advising on tax and structuring and assisting with all aspects the development of the property. As a result of the personal service that Emma delivers, she has built longstanding close relationships with many of her clients. She is a trusted adviser to individuals and families, in many cases providing advice and support to three generations. Emma is author Hill & Redman's Law of landlord and tenant: residential tenancies precedents.
Emma is a partner in the Private Client department and advises on a range of tax, trust, estate and succession planning issues. Emma’s particular specialisation is in the area of estate administration where she regularly assists clients with the administration of complex and high net worth estates. Such estates often include international, agricultural and / or business elements.
Evelyn advises clients in relation to a wide range of family law issues arising in contemplation of marriage and on divorce or dissolution. This includes nuptial agreements, financial remedy proceedings and arrangements for children following a relationship breakdown. Evelyn is also a member of the Modern Family team, advising on surrogacy and adoption matters.
Fiona advises high profile private individuals in relation to complex and confidential divorce proceedings, many of them with an international element. Fiona has earned a variety of accolades and is regularly named amongst the top legal names in the country. She 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. In 2019 Fiona was awarded the prestigious Outstanding Achievement in Legal Services prize at The Legal 500 UK Awards 2019. 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. Fiona is co-author of 'The Divorce Handbook'.
Frederick acts for UK and international high net worth individuals, advising on tax issues for non-domiciliaries and cross border migration; the establishment and restructuring of onshore and offshore trusts and Wills and estate planning (including strategic succession planning for family businesses). A core focus of Frederick’s practice is advising on family governance for multi generational, entrepreneurial businesses, both in terms of transfers of wealth and control and asset protection. He has extensive experience in this area and was awarded distinctions in both the STEP Advanced Certificate in Advising Family Business and the STEP Advanced Certificate in Family Business Governance. Frederick was elected to the STEP Business Families Global SIG Steering Committee in 2023. Frederick’s offshore work focuses on clients with Scandinavian and US links, and is well connected within those communities. Frederick is a regular speaker at industry conferences and has contributed to various publications.
George is an Associate in the Employment department. George has experience assisting on a broad range of employment law issues, including, on the non-litigious side, preparing and advising on contracts of employment and employment policies, advising employers on TUPE and redundancy processes and both employers and employees on contractual and statutory obligations. On the litigious side, his particular focus is on assisting employees with grievance and disciplinary proceedings and advising on unfair dismissal and whistleblowing claims with a particular focus on health, professional conduct, regulatory and reputational issues. He also advises on often complex discrimination cases including disability and sex discrimination issues and equal pay claims. He has dealt with complex preliminary matters such as questions over jurisdiction, employer identity, worker and immigration status. George has experience supporting individual clients at all levels of seniority, including at the most senior level, especially in the finance and banking sector. This has included assisting in complex Employment Tribunal litigation as well as negotiating settlement agreements. George assisted in the high profile case of Ramchandani v Citibank in 2019 where Peter McRoberts represented Rohan Ramchandani, a former Citibank forex trader, who succeeded in his unfair dismissal claim. He also assisted in the well reported case of Richard Bowley v Rio Tinto involving whistleblowing claims against Rio Tinto regarding the Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia. He has acted in multiple cases where his clients have succeeded in recovering sums in excess of £1,000,000. George also has experience of defending claims on behalf of employers including for unlawful deductions from wages, unfair dismissal and various forms of discrimination.
Georgina is a partner in the Dispute Resolution department. She specialises in heavyweight commercial disputes, both international and domestic, acting for a variety of clients ranging from companies to high net worth individuals to charities. Her experience includes dealing with complex contractual disputes, fraud, shareholder issues, contentious insolvency and arbitration. She also often advises in relation to jurisdictional issues, injunctive relief, dispute resolution and governing law clauses and enforcement issues. Georgina also has a particular interest in, and experience of, judicial review matters. She is regularly instructed by coroners seeking specialist advice on coronial law in relation to inquests and has also advised public authorities on bringing procurement challenges against public bodies.
Hanna is a recognised leader in the field of defamation, privacy and breach of confidence, having acted in a number of landmark cases in the High Court. As well as litigation, Hanna has a wealth of experience in media and crisis management and advises clients on strategies for preventing and dealing with significant reputational attacks. She is able to put a responsive strategy in place quickly and effectively when clients are facing unwanted media attention. She skilfully manages media storms. Hanna also acts for her clients in more general litigation, regulatory matters, employment disputes and inquests where maintaining reputation or privacy is key. She has been involved in a number of high profile inquests, disciplinary hearings, employment claims and sports disputes, representing clients in the High Court, before coroners and before governing and regulatory bodies.
Hannah is an associate in the Corporate department. Hannah acts for clients on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, including the sale and purchase of companies and assets, joint ventures, company incorporations and structuring, shareholder arrangements, and advising upon a wide variety of commercial agreements. She advises a wide range of clients, including entrepreneurs, family businesses and private companies.
Harriet is a Partner in the Family team. She is an accomplished family law partner, experienced litigator and skilled negotiator. She has been advising clients at Boodle Hatfield for over a decade, steering them sensitively and assuredly through complex personal matters. Harriet’s practice covers all aspects of family law, including divorce and the financial consequences of relationship breakdown, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, children disputes and financial claims made in England following an overseas divorce (under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984). Harriet has extensive expertise in international cases, specialising in complicated financial disputes involving high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals with assets and interests across multiple jurisdictions. Harriet has acted for some of the wealthiest and high profile families in the Middle East and Europe. Harriet is experienced in Sharia law and legal issues concerning the recognition in England of foreign and / or religious marriages and divorces overseas. Harriet also specialises in complex international private children law matters including international leave to remove and child abduction cases. These cases can be highly emotional, but Harriet guides her clients through them sensitively and assuredly. Complementing her vast experience of litigation and dispute resolution, Harriet is also an adept settlement negotiator when it is in her client’s interests to achieve an amicable resolution. She routinely assists clients in obtaining a range of out-of-court settlements, including the negotiation and agreement of financial settlements and resolving children disputes in a positive manner. Harriet also specialises in drafting and negotiating the terms of pre- and post-nuptial agreements, often with an international/cross-border element.
Howard is a partner and corporate lawyer specialising in the sale and purchase of companies and businesses, private equity transactions, joint ventures and fundraisings. He also advises on a wide variety of other corporate law matters, including company reorganisations and refinancings, shareholder agreements, private company investments and lending and security documentation. Howard works with both domestic and international clients across a range of business sectors, including technology, financial services, professional services, insurance, hotels and leisure, food and beverages, manufacturing and chemicals. His clients include companies, business owners, family offices, trustees and individuals.
Winner of the “Star Associate” category at the Chambers High Net Worth Awards 2023 and named as a “real superstar in the making” by Chambers High Net Worth 2023, Isabella is a meticulous, perceptive and assured pair of hands who advises on all aspects of family law. She recognises her clients’ legal and non-legal objectives while striving to achieve an early and consensual resolution wherever possible. With a practice ranging from mid to ultra high net worth cases, Isabella is regularly involved in complex financial disputes and jurisdictional issues, often including company valuations, trust structures, art aspects and contested nuptial settlements. She has expertise in pursuing financial assistance for the benefit of children from unmarried parents and is regularly instructed to draft pre-nuptial, mid-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements with a view to limiting future litigation. Isabella also advises on private children matters, including residence and contact disputes as well as leave to remove applications. Recognising that the breakdown of a relationship affects every person differently, Isabella treats every client as an individual. She is praised for her discrete, sensitive and reassuring presence for her clients while holding firm in the face of opposition.
Isobel is a senior associate in the Corporate department. She joined Payne Hicks Beach as a trainee solicitor in September 2015, qualified in September 2017 and was promoted to senior associate in September 2021. Isobel acts for clients on a wide range of corporate matters, with a particular focus on acquisitions and disposals, company reorganisations, shareholder arrangements, lending and security documentation and strategic succession planning for family businesses, including the establishment of family investment companies. Her clients range from large international companies to private owner-managed businesses across a range of sectors, including property investment, manufacturing, publishing and hospitality. Isobel also advises on commercial law matters including contractual arrangements between customers and suppliers and terms of business and trade mark licence agreements. Isobel’s practice includes acting for both individuals and companies on the sale and purchase of houseboats.
James advises on trust and succession law and tax. His work covers estate planning, trust variations, contentious trust and estate work, heritage property taxation, charities and the commercial use of trusts. His clients are UK and overseas individuals and families, landed estates throughout the UK, and trustees, trust protectors and beneficiaries in the UK and abroad. James is the English contributor to Bloomsbury’s International Succession Laws and was one of a number of contributors to Maggioli Editore’s Il Trust Nella Nuova Legislazione di San Marino. James is listed in the Citywealth Leaders List 2022 in the Honours List for Contentious Trusts and Landed Estates.
James Townsend is co-head of the Employment department and has over two decades of experience as a solicitor advising business leaders and HR professionals on strategy, engagement, reward and disputes in the field of employment law. James specialises in statutory and contractual employment disputes, executive terminations, complaints involving the Equality Act, restraint of trade issues and the domestic employment aspects of national and international business mergers and acquisitions. James acts in cases before the Employment Tribunal, Employment Appeal Tribunal, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, as well as, in the County Court and High Court. James is a trusted adviser and often first port of call on employment matters. His clients operate in a number of different sectors, from those listed on the FTSE to smaller owner managed businesses. Clients include an international motorsport championship organiser, a national television company, one of the UK’s largest distributors of wines and spirits, an international IT retailer, manufacturers, developers, high street retailers, companies operating in construction and a number of privately owned businesses.
Jessica is a private client partner specialising in risk and disputes in relation to trusts and estates. As well as advising on all forms of trusts and estates disputes, Jessica draws on her wealth of litigation experience to inform asset protection and estate planning strategies designed to avoid disputes in the future. For this reason, Jessica is frequently asked to advise on the establishment of trusts, nuptial agreements and Wills where there are particular risks or asset protection concerns. Jessica has also built up particular expertise in advising trustees on the impact of divorce - both in terms of pre-emptive measures and advising trustees in the course of financial remedy proceedings.
Jonathan is the head of the Corporate and Sport departments. Jonathan is primarily a transactional lawyer advising clients on the full range of corporate transactions including acquisitions, disposals, mergers, reorganisations and joint ventures, working closely with colleagues in other departments – tax, employment and property. He acts mainly for private companies but of all sizes, including start-ups, family offices and entrepreneurs, many of whom are active internationally. Jonathan's clients operate across a range of business sectors, but he has a particular interest in businesses whose branding and intellectual property rights are key assets, including publishing and fashion. For recent transactions included advising on the acquisition of a mass market non-fiction publisher and also an erotic romance publishing house, and the sale of a high profile digital picture library. Jonathan also has an expertise in partnership law, including LLPs and LPs, and advises on all aspects of their set up and structuring, management and mergers and disposals. His clients include professional practices, other business partnerships and investors. Jonathan acts on a wide range of sports matters. Highlights over the year have included acting for IIAA on the distribution of its health living/nutritional range of supplements and continuing to act for DNAFit in the rolling out of its DNA based exercise and dietary plans in Europe. His client base and work is varied, as above. It also features David Cameron's personal trainer, and a number of well-known athletes acting as sporting brand ambassadors for the DNAFit brand. He has vast experience advising on image rights, and more recently, social media issues.
Kathryn is partner and head of the Citizenship & Immigration department. Kathryn practises across the spectrum of UK immigration and nationality law. She has extensive experience in applications under the investor, global talent, sole representative and innovator categories and associated applications for high net worth and high profile individuals. Her work in personal immigration extends to applications under the rules relating to partners, elderly relatives and children. She has significant expertise in applications for British citizenship and in complex applications and litigation.
Described as “an outstanding family law solicitor with an extraordinary ability to manage the most complex of cases. She is hardworking, astute, her attention to detail is exceptional and she has great judgment and instincts. Katie’s client care skills are superb. She is a star.” And “she has energy, enthusiasm and tenacity, coupled with keen intelligence and a complete understanding of the processes of the courts and the priorities of the judges. She also has a maturity well beyond her years.” Katie is a senior associate in the Family department. She advises in all areas of private family law, including divorce and financial remedy proceedings, nuptial agreements, cohabitation issues and private children matters. She has a particular focus on resolving financial matters between divorcing/divorced couples and unmarried parents. Many of Katie’s cases involve complex financial and/or international elements and involve HNW and UHNW clients. Recent cases include: Collardeau-Fuchs v Fuchs [2022] EWFC 135 (the award included secured child maintenance in excess of £550,000 p/a) Collardeau-Fuchs v Fuchs [2022] EWFC 45 Collardeau-Fuchs v Fuchs: MPS [2022] EWFC 6 Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein: - Re Al M: Publication [2022] EWFC 16 - Re Al M: Final Welfare Judgment [2021] EWHC 3480 (Fam) - Re Al M: Finances [2021] EWFC 94 (the award included a lump sum of £251million and secured child maintenance of £11.2million p/a) - Re Al M: Hacking Fact Finding - Appeal - Court of Appeal [2021] EWCA Civ 1216 - Re Al M: Hacking Fact Finding - PTA - Court of Appeal [2021] EWCA Civ 900 - Re Al M: Immunities - Court of Appeal [2021] EWCA Civ 890 - Re Al M: Lives with [2021] EWHC 1577 (Fam) - Re Al M: Hacking Fact Finding [2021] EWHC 1162 - Re Al M: Foreign Act of State - Court of Appeal [2021] EWCA Civ 129 - Re Al M: Foreign Act of State [2020] EWHC 2883 (Fam) - Re Al M: Non-Molestation [2020] EWHC 3305 (Fam) - Re Al M: [2021] EWHC 915 (Family) - Re Al M: Legal Services [2021] EWHC 303 (Fam)- - Re Al M: Immunities [2021] EWHC 660 (Fam) - Re Al M: Court of Appeal Judgment on publication [2020] EWCA Civ 283 - Re Al M: Publication [2020] EWHC 122 (Fam) - Re Al M: Assurances and Waiver [2020] EWHC 67 (Fam) - Re Al M: Fact Finding [2019] EWHC 3415 (Fam
Kelly is a knowledge development lawyer and legal director sitting within the Family team. Kelly joined Payne Hicks Beach in 2001 upon qualification and practised as a family lawyer for 14 years specialising in high net worth divorce and private children law matters. Following a career break Kelly became a Knowledge Development Lawyer at a City firm and then rejoined Payne Hicks Beach in January 2020 supporting the Family team in a knowledge management capacity and providing research, technical know how and training to her fellow solicitors. Kelly read Jurisprudence at Christ Church, Oxford University. She is a member of Resolution and the Family Law Knowledge Network. Qualified 2001, joined Payne Hicks Beach 2001, Legal Director 2020.
Laura is an associate in the Family department and advises clients in relation to a wide range of family law matters arising during cohabitation, in contemplation of marriage and on divorce or dissolution. This includes financial remedy matters, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, private children disputes and applications for occupation and non-molestation orders. Many of Laura’s cases involve complex asset structures and international elements. Laura is dedicated to securing the best outcome for her clients, whether through negotiated settlements or litigation. She is often praised by both colleagues and clients alike for her calm and measured manner, fine eye for detail and practical advice.
Lucas is a partner in the Dispute Resolution department specializing in commercial disputes including claims arising in financial services, international trade, fraud, contentious insolvency, and corporate governance/shareholder issues.
Luke's areas of practice include financial remedy proceedings and Children Act 1989 proceedings, as well as guiding clients through the process of divorce. Luke also has experience advising on the breakdown of unmarried but cohabiting couples, and concomitant proceedings under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 and Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996. He has acted in a number of contested reported cases, and many more cases which have end in private and consensual resolutions. In the non-contentious sphere, Luke also advises clients in the drafting and agreement of pre and post nuptial agreements. Much of his caseload involves high net worth families with an international element.
Marisa is a legal director in the Property department at Payne Hicks Beach. Marisa is experienced in a broad range of commercial property work including acquisitions and disposals, refinancing, drafting and negotiating leases and conditional leasing agreements for prelets. She acts for institutional landlords and tenants and commercial investors and is part of a specialist team which deals with complex developments and corporate acquisitions and disposals. Marisa also deals with sales and acquisitions of residential property for high net worth clients, charities and landed estates. Marisa provides support to the Corporate Department on property related issues across the full range of transactional work including acquisitions and disposals, reorganisations and the transfer of undertakings. Specifically, this comprises conducting property related due diligence and preparing due diligence reports, advising on warranties and indemnities in the sale and purchase documentation, preparing new licenses to assign and new leases as required, and on all related property matters.
Mark advises clients in the sports industry on the full range of sports specific problems that arise in the course of their business. He has acted for most of the leading governing bodies and many high profile teams in sports related disputes. Many have been matters of public interest or involved cutting edge legal disputes. Much of Mark’s work is for governing bodies and teams in industries such as football and motorsport. He represents our clients in disciplinary proceedings, arbitrations and, where no arbitral network exists, in proceedings before the High Court. Tribunals he has appeared in front of include the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the EFL League Arbitration Panel, the Contracts Recognition Board of the FIA, the International Court of the FIA, ICC and LCIA arbitration panels, as well as the English High Court and Court of Appeal. High profile cases recently have included UKA v Minichiello, EFL v Derby, Alpine’s dispute with McLaren over the driver Mr Oscar Piastri and Alpine’s successful appeal to the stewards over the five point deduction imposed upon them as a result of Fernando Alonso’s crash with Lance Stroll at the Grand Prix in Austin in October 2022. Through Mark Gay the firm has unparalleled first-hand experience of sports law cases at the very cutting edge combined with an enviable record of success for clients in all proceedings in which we have been engaged.
Throughout his career Martin has specialised in private client and charity, and his client base is both domestic and overseas. He has become well-known in the charity sector, serving as a trustee on a considerable number of both grant making and functional charities. He was appointed CBE in June 2004 in recognition of his charitable services.
Matt is a partner in the Citizenship & Immigration department. Since 2010 Matt has been advising high net worth individuals with regard to complex International Protection claims involving political persecution and corporate raiding as well as Public Law and Human Rights based applications. Matt advises high-net worth clients in relation to political asylum, judicial review, appeals, complex human rights and removals cases. Matt's breadth of experience allows him to adopt an inter-disciplinary approach and ensures that he is well-placed to develop creative, strategic solutions to assist and protect clients, and to work alongside Payne Hicks Beach's reputation protection and civil litigation teams where required. Matt has acted for high profile individuals and has been at the forefront of significant cases in the asylum field. He has experience of making asylum claims whilst simultaneously defending extradition requests. Together with his colleagues in the reputation and civil litigation teams, he is also able to deploy different legal tools to assist the client such as making and defending civil proceedings based on allegations of fraud and defamation all linked to the underlying corporate raiding attempt. The cases he has worked on range across a number of jurisdictions. Matt's experience has also extended to challenging Interpol red flag notices. In addition Matt has a breadth of experience of human right-based judicial review applications with broad advisory and court experience in complex proceedings of this nature. Matt also works closely with the non-contentious Immigration team with regard to UK visas, British citizenship and Indefinite Leave to Remain applications, often with a discretionary element and for applications interlinking with on-going litigation. Matter is the author of numerous articles written for the legal press and contributes to media reports on cases and developments in the law of citizenship & immigration. Publications of note: articles and/or comments on business immigration law have appeared on CNN (comments on Russian general who oversaw atrocities in Syria led cluster bomb attacks on civilians in Ukraine) and in, for instance, 'Time Magazine' (commentary on the increasing pressure on Russian oligarchs in the UK), 'The Times' and 'The Law Society Gazette' (providing an insight on the Ukraine Russia Crisis), 'The Bar Council guest blog' (Nationality and Borders Bill), 'Daily Telegraph' (commentary on the need to set up a Ukraine resettlement scheme), 'Independent' (commentary on the abrupt suspension of the Tier 1 (Investor) Visa), 'Law Society Gazette' (The closure of the Tier 1 visa route), ' FE News' (Is the UK still top class when it comes to international education?), 'Law 360' (commentary on Assange victory leaving whistleblowers, journalists hanging).
Matthew advises clients in relation to a broad range of family law issues arising on the breakdown of marriage or cohabitation/relationships. He has a particular interest in dealing with private children matters, including leave to remove cases (where one parent wishes to relocate together with any children of the family) and disputes surrounding children's living and contact arrangements (determining with whom they live and the time they spend with their other parent).
Matthew is the firm’s first solicitor-advocate, entitled to appear at all levels of the Court system, including the Supreme Court. An experienced civil litigator, Matthew’s particular specialism is resolving property disputes. He acts for a range of corporate and individual clients in real estate matters (including development issues, rights of way, rights of light, party walls). He handles landlord and tenant/property management issues in both commercial and residential sectors (from industrial estates to residential flats). Matthew is a leading adviser of the firm in leasehold enfranchisement (residential lease extensions, collective enfranchisement and freehold acquisition) in which he has taken a case into the Supreme Court on qualifying criteria under the 1967 Act. He acts for landlords and tenants in disputes involving property management, service charges, breach of covenant and forfeiture of leases at First Tier and Upper Tribunal, County Court, High Court level and above. He has experience of right to manage companies and rights of first refusal. Matthew resolves contentious countryside issues with the firm’s private client team for landed estates and agriculture. His property practice crosses into the field of construction law where he advises on performance and payment, negligence and damage issues arising under and out of JCT and other construction contracts, as well as resolving disputes through adjudication. He advises individuals and companies on insolvency issues, as well as having experience in acting for Administrators, LPA Receivers and Trustees in Bankruptcy. His Chancery law practice includes partnership disputes, including obtaining injunctions against outgoing partners, asset recovery in the context of trust litigation and contentious probate matters. He handles Court cases on cohabitation and beneficial interests in property.
Max Baird-Smith is a partner in the Corporate department. Max advises on a broad mixture of corporate and commercial transactions, including acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, private-equity investments and fund raisings. He has represented major groups across a range of sectors, as well as family offices, high-net-worth individuals and alternative investment funds. He has extensive experience handling complex cross-border matters, regularly working across Europe, the US and Africa. Max is a graduate of Oxford University and qualified into a corporate team at Slaughter and May in 2005. Max speaks French and English and is qualified in England and Wales (solicitor) and France (avocat).
Melissa is a senior associate in the Private Client Department. Melissa advises high net worth individuals, based in the UK and internationally, on estate planning, lifetime giving and tax compliance. Melissa also advises individuals moving to and leaving the UK on tax residence and domicile issues. Melissa regularly advises trustees on structuring and UK tax issues particularly in relation to UK property holding structures and trust distributions to UK resident beneficiaries.
Nataly is an associate specialising in reputation management. She has experience with a variety of high-profile contentious matters including involvement with a landmark privacy and copyright case in the Court of Appeal and one of the most prominent libel trials of recent times. Nataly's work covers all aspects of media law and crisis management, including defamation, privacy law, data protection, copyright, breach of confidence and harassment.
Nick is Head of the Family Department at Payne Hicks Beach. Nick is a specialist family lawyer who focuses on all areas of family law, including issues arising from divorce, cohabitation and the financial consequences of a relationship breakdown. He also regularly advises on children disputes involving contact, residence and relocation (including international relocation), as well as pre and post-nuptial agreements. He works for a variety of high net worth and ultra high net worth clients on both contentious and non-contentious matters, including those with a complex international angle. He also has experience of advising clients upon the breakdown of civil partnerships and Inheritance Act claims. Nick has been involved in a number of high profile and reported cases at both first instance and the Court of Appeal, and has been quoted in national media (The Times, Daily Mail), on family law matters.
Nick is a legal director and has experience of a variety of contentious disputes. In particular, he specialises in defamation and privacy law, and provides reputational advice to clients faced with hostile media attention, both in traditional media and online.
Orlaith is a senior associate in the Family department. Orlaith advises clients in relation to a broad range of family law issues arising in contemplation of marriage, during cohabitation and on the breakdown of a relationship. Her work covers all areas of family law, including divorce, financial remedy proceedings, obtaining/defending non-molestation and occupation orders, cohabitation issues and private law children law matters. These issues often also have an international dimension or the involvement of competing jurisdictions.
Peter is the co-head of the Employment department. He has many years of experience in advising senior individuals, companies, partnerships, charities and professional bodies on all aspects of employment law. He is well known for advising on sensitive and complex employment-issues. Senior individuals for whom he acts are drawn predominantly from banking, finance, insurance, the legal and medical professions and the creative world of advertising, marketing, the wider media and fashion. His work addresses the reputational and regulatory aspects of the employment relationship. He advises regularly on disciplinary, discrimination and health issues from the perspective of both employers and employees. His client base is built upon client and contact referral and stems predominantly from the banking and financial sector. His specialisms are on reputational and health issues. Much of the reputational work involves the FCA and other professional regulators. He also advises employers on all matters relating to the employment relationship and its formation or termination. He acts for a range of employers including "celebrity" employers and a number of professional bodies and charities on employment-related disputes. He has high level links to health professionals, particularly in psychiatry.
Philip is a partner in the Family department. An expert in complex high value financial remedy cases, often with an international dimension, he is held in equally high regard for his expertise in pre- and post-nuptial agreements, cohabitation contracts, asset protection and private children law. Philip advises on all aspects of family law, with his primary focus on financial remedy work. With a reputation for being commercially minded and pragmatic he is regularly instructed in complex financial litigation, more often than not with an international dimension involving HNWIs. He advises on pre/post-nuptial agreements, separation agreements and cohabitation contracts. Philip has a busy practice in pre/post-nuptial agreements, often with a foreign element working with overseas experts. Philip represented the successful husband in one of the early post Radmacher cases (V–v-V (Prenuptial Agreement) [2012] 1 FLR 1315). Philip also deals with disputes relating to children; principally schedule 1 and section 8 CA 1989 applications. Philip acts for (and against) many clients who are household names, as well as for city professionals, entrepreneurs, family business owners, financiers, personalities in the sports/arts/media and their spouses/partners; always with an eye to avoid as much as possible the glare of publicity in what are obviously highly personal and very often distressing matters. His preference is, and has always been, to deal with the disengagement process, and the practical implications, in an environment which seeks to guarantee the parties confidentiality, speed and economy. The Court process, he believes, ought to be regarded as the ultimate default position only. Cases of interest: Rothschild-v-De Souza [2020] EWCA Civ 1215 MB-v-EB (No.2) [2019] EWHC 3676 (Fam); MB-v-EB [2019] EWHC 1649 (Fam); SR-v-RS [2014] EWHC 4305 (Fam) MA-H -v- ZS [2012] EWHC 3271 (Fam); H -v- S (Recognition of Overseas Divorce) [2011] EWHC B23 (Fam); V -v- V (Prenuptial Agreement) [2011] EWHC 3230 (Fam); B -v- B (Ancillary Relief) [2010] 2 FLR 887; Judge -v- Judge [2009] 1 FLR 1287 CA; Corbett -v- Corbett [2003] 2 FLR 385 CA; Attar -v- Attar (No's 1 & 2) [1985] FD 649 & 653.
Rebecca's practice covers all aspects of private family law. She has specialist experience in matrimonial finance often with international elements and children matters (Schedule 1 and relocation cases, as well as day to day children cases dealing with living arrangements and schooling issues). Rebecca is regularly instructed in City based divorces (receiving referrals from corporate law firms, leading investment banks and broking houses) and also represents wealthy London mothers, entrepreneurs and unmarried parents. Rebecca is collaborative in her approach but a skilful litigator when necessary. Rebecca tends to settle many of her cases outside of court to protect client privacy and confidentiality. She increasingly uses the forums of private FDRs and Arbitration. Rebecca has been described as: "A star performer who has steadily built a stellar reputation and is razor sharp" - The UK Hot 100 Lawyers. "Incredibly bright, knowledgeable and quick witted, with good client interpersonal skills" - Chambers and Partners "Top Recommended Family Lawyer who is outstanding in field and a first rate lawyer with brilliant people skills" - The Spear’s Family Law Index
Richard has a Chancery practice encompassing trusts, property and civil disputes before all levels of the judiciary including the Supreme Court. Richard focusses on contentious trusts and estates work, and has received the STEP Global Excellence Award. He is co-chair of the annual Trusts in Litigation Conference. He advises on all aspects of international and domestic trust and probate disputes and presently is busy removing trustees and protectors, seeking and resisting trust disclosure, blessing and voiding trustee decisions and challenging the validity of wills amongst other matters. He has a substantial international caseload presently involving Jersey, Guernsey, Bermuda, Kenya, the US and Cayman amongst others. Recently he has been engaged in: Acting in applications for the removal of trustees, protectors and executors; Cross-border litigation concerning allegations of breach of trust or fiduciary duty by trustees or protectors; Representing high net worth beneficiaries in high value estate litigation concerning challenges to the validity of wills, mental capacity, lifetime gifts and claims under the Inheritance Act; Acting for some of the UK’s oldest and largest estates and handling applications concerning long standing family trusts.
Robert advises on tax, trust and estate planning for wealthy individuals, their advisers and trustees. He acts for a wide range of clients including non-domiciliaries, international families with assets in multiple jurisdictions as well as UK based families and the owners of landed estates and business people. Robert’s practice is divided into three main geographic areas of clients: Middle East; US/UK and UK domestic (which also includes UK resident non-doms). He is a Trustee of a number of UK trusts including several that hold heritage assets, and he also acts as Executor. He is known for his sensitive handling of difficult family situations. Robert advises on contentious trust and probate work, and has recently been involved in applications to vary and rectify trusts both in the UK and offshore. Robert has developed a reputation for advising a number of high profile US families based in the UK (alongside their existing US advisers) and he is also experienced at advising Middle Eastern families on the creation and reorganization of trusts, including Sharia compliant structures. He is also known for his sensitive handling of complicated family situations.
Rosamond is a partner and heads up Payne Hicks Beach's substantial and energetic Private Client team that continues to go from strength to strength. Her specialist area is estate planning advice, including Wills, Probate and the administration of Estates, Trusts and other financial structures, and associated tax issues. Speaking various languages, and with experience of living abroad, Rosamond is able to assist clients with international backgrounds and assets in navigating conflicting laws of various jurisdictions. With an increasing public awareness of mental illness and capacity issues, and with her vocation and training as an Anglican priest, Rosamond assists in guiding vulnerable clients whose interests may need to be protected, and in dealing with powers of attorney and Court of Protection matters. Rosamond also advises executors, trustees and beneficiaries where difficulties and disputes arise, and has experience of acting as an independent trustee and administrator.
Rosie is an associate in the Dispute Resolution department with particular focus on contentious trusts and probate disputes. Rosie has experience of advising companies, trustees and individuals on a wide range of matters, with particular experience in large-scale multi-jurisdictional litigation. She has recently been involved in acting in claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and Court of Protection proceedings, and advises both trustees and beneficiaries in relation to removal and replacement applications, and cross-border trust litigation. Rosie also has experience advising on professional negligence claims, as well as commercial litigation and judicial review proceedings. Rosie also has experience advising on commercial litigation and judicial review proceedings.
Rupert is an senior associate in the Landed Estates and Agriculture team. Rupert’s specialism is in property-related rural matters, from sales and purchases of landed estates and farms to re-financings, partitions, easements, sporting leases, agricultural tenancies and licences and commercial tenancies of diversified agri-businesses.
Sam specialises in the creation and implementation of tax efficient trusts and other structures to ringfence global assets. Most commonly these are either offshore assets for UK resident (or UK connected) non-UK domiciliaries, or UK situs assets, especially real estate, trading businesses and art collections, for non-UK resident, and multi-resident families. He advises widely on complex disputes with HMRC, and on how to avoid such disputes. He often advises on cross-border tax issues, and on trusts with beneficiaries resident in several jurisdictions. Frequently this involves individuals moving to or from the US, UK or continental Europe. Sam has dealt with dozens of jurisdictions, but has particular experience in solving problems for UHNW individuals from or moving to France, Monaco, Switzerland, Jersey, South Africa, Israel and the US. Sam is particularly renowned as an adviser to professional trustees in the Channel Islands and Switzerland. He has frequently provided talks to trustee companies in both these locations over the past eighteen years. Although this work is also largely tax driven, Sam also advises on pure trust or succession problems, including on how to secure, or safely divide or fully distribute a trust. Sam has advised trustees on Public Trustee v Cooper blessing applications, one of which involved advisers in eight jurisdictions Sam is a partner in the Private Client department. He also has a longstanding UK based practice, drafting complex Wills and bespoke trusts, advising UK resident trustees on UK tax, succession (including to trading companies) and philanthropy, acting as a trustee or executor, advising on powers of attorney and Court of Protection applications, generally arising from high value estate planning. Increasingly this work also has a non-UK element as UK families more often acquire foreign properties or foreign spouses.
Sarah is a partner in the Payne Hicks Beach Family department and head of Modern Family Law. Sarah has extensive experience in all children law matters, often with an international and public law dimension, and a Court of Protection practice concerning vulnerable and incapacitous individuals. Sarah also has expertise in all aspects of modern family law, encompassing matters such as domestic and international surrogacy arrangements, adoption, donor conception and issues concerning parentage. Her practice operates at the cutting-edge of family law and, as such, often intersects with matters of public policy and human rights. She is described as being “brilliant on the law” and ranked by The Legal 500 UK 2023 as a “Next Generation Partner” and “a stand-out individual”. Sarah advises on complex, ultra-high net worth, high profile, multi-party sensitive children law matters with serious welfare considerations including, domestic abuse, coercive controlling behaviour, high-conflict disputes, alienating behaviours, abduction, international and domestic relocation of children and health and welfare disputes concerning vulnerable individuals, including those concerning capacity, gender and decisions regarding serious medical treatment. Sarah is prolific legal commentator; recently being invited to speak at a European Chapter meeting for the International Academy of Family Lawyers, The Law Society and at international forums. She is an annual contributing author for the International Comparative Legal Guide (Family Law), regularly contributes to esteemed domestic and international family law journals, the legal press and is a University Guest Lecturer on Family Law and Ethics. Sarah spent the first decade of her career as a practising private and public family law Barrister at a leading set of chambers representing parents, children, guardians, Local Authorities and the Official Solicitor in complex and sensitive children law cases. Sarah’s practice included those concerning serious medical issues such as FII, non-accidental injuries to children, international adoption, international abduction, enforcement of foreign orders, international and domestic relocation of children and cases involving vulnerable adults. Appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown. 2023 Notable reported case: Re S (Inherent Jurisdiction: Transgender Surgery Abroad) [2023] EWHC 347. Acting Pro Bono for the primary carer in this case of significant public interest before The President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane. The case concerned the validity of an adolescent’s consent to transgender surgery, wardship, competing medical and legal positions here and in an anonymised foreign jurisdiction, issues of human rights and domestic public policy and the appropriate engagement of the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court. https://www.phb.co.uk/article/inherent-jurisdiction-transgender-surgery-abroad-2023/ 2023 Speaking engagements: The Law Society Cross Border Event: New Challenges for Private Clients in Europe – Modern Families (co-presenter) https://learn.lawsociety.org.uk/product/modern-families-new-challenges-for-private-clients-in-europe/ Guys and St. Thomas’ Medical School: Lectures on Family Law and Ethics and Parentage, Capacity and Consent Podcast with My Surrogacy Journey ‘Family Building via Surrogacy for those in the Public Eye’. 2023 Publications: International Comparative Legal Guide: (Expert Chapter) Family Law Journal. Lifting the Veil: Donor Identification. Co-authored with Jennifer Lee, Barrister Lifting the veil: donor identification (familylaw.co.uk) Revista (Numero 83, Espana): La gestación por subrogación en Europa: situación jurídica y enfoque comparativo entre Inglaterra y Gales, Francia, Italia y España. Co-author https://www.sepin.es/revistas-digitales/familia-y-sucesiones/info-revista.asp?cde=54 2022 Notable reported case: R v S [2022] EWFC 65 Acting for the mother in response to an “unprecedented” application by the father for the disclosure of internal CCTV footage from mother’s home. The application raised grave issues concerning competing ECHR Art 6 and Art 8 rights. The father’s Application was successfully dismissed. https://www.phb.co.uk/article/inherent-jurisdiction-transgender-surgery-abroad-2023/ 2022 Speaking engagements, include: International Academy of Family Lawyers, European Chapter Meeting, Athens ‘Modern Family Law Developments’ Guys and St. Thomas’ Medical School: Family Law and Ethics in 2022 Guys and St. Thomas’ Medical School: Addressing Issues of Capacity in 2022 Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Medical School: The Changing Face of Motherhood in 2022 An Examination of Modern Family Creation and Family Forms in 2022: Comparative European Approaches to Parentage, Payne Hicks Beach International Legal Event 2022 Publications, include: International Comparative Legal Guide: (Expert Chapter) International Family Law Journal: The Legal Status of Surrogacy in Europe – co-author. https://www.libra-avocats.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Pages-from-IFL_2022_01_SWilliams.pdf STEP Journal: ‘Legal Conceptions’ (Issue 2) - file:///I:/028000/0135/Docs/Private/PublicMarketing/OldWebsite/www.phb.co.uk/legal-updates/legal-conceptions-surrogacy-and-modern-family-law-expert-sarah-williams-article-features-in-issue-2-of-step-journal.html] AJ Famille, France: Le statut Légal de la gestation pour autrui en Europe – co-author.https://www.libra-avocats.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ARTICLE-SURROGACY-FR-VERSION-DEFINITIVE.pdf My Surrogacy Journey blog: What's in store for international surrogacy? file:///I:/028000/0135/Docs/Private/PublicMarketing/OldWebsite/www.phb.co.uk/legal-updates/whats-in-store-for-international-surrogacy.html 2021 Speaking Engagements, include: ‘High-Conflict Parenting Disputes – new approaches’. In association with OurFamilyWizard - https://www.phb.co.uk/article/our-family-wizard-high-conflict-parenting-disputes/ Informa Middle East: ‘What Constitutes a Family: Working with non-traditional family structures relating to children’ https://www.phb.co.uk/article/informa-connect-cross-border-planning-international-2021/ Informa Bermuda: ‘Working with non-traditional family structures’ Informa Cross Border Planning: Europe/International: ‘What constitutes a family?’ - https://www.phb.co.uk/article/informa-connect-cross-border-planning-international-2021/ Chair of International Movement of Children Event, following the Supreme Court Decision G V G UKSC2020/0191 https://www.phb.co.uk/article/international-movement-of-children-child-abduction-asylum-regimes-relocation/ TL4 Private Client: Succession Planning for Modern Families- https://www.phb.co.uk/article/thoughtleaders4-privateclient-succession-planning-for-modern-families/ Guy’s & St Thomas’ Medical School: Family Law and Ethics in 2021 Guy’s & St Thomas’ Medical School: Addressing Issues of Capacity in 2021 TL4: Sudden Incapacity: Legal Implications under the Prevalence of Covid https://www.phb.co.uk/legal-updates/thoughtleaders4-privateclient-sudden-incapacity-legal-implications-under-the-prevalence-of-covid-sarah-williams-and-jessica-henson MSJ: Surrogacy in the USA: Where to Start? https://www.phb.co.uk/article/surrogacy-in-the-us-where-to-begin-and-who-can-help/ Men Having Babies European Conference in Brussels: Parenting Options from an English Perspective: [file:///I:/028000/0135/Docs/Private/PublicMarketing/OldWebsite/www.phb.co.uk/legal-updates/parenting-options-for-men-november-6-7-2021.html] 2021 Publications include: International Comparative Legal Guide: (Expert Chapter) Family Law: Covid-19 vaccination: Capacity and Best Interests – the first reported Court of Protection Judgment https://www.phb.co.uk/article/covid-19-vaccination-capacity-and-best-interests-the-first-reported-court-of-protection-judgment-sarah-williams-for-family-law/ Family Law: Childhood vaccination disputes in the era of COVID 19 https://www.phb.co.uk/article/childhood-vaccination-disputes-sarah-williams-for-family-law/ Capacity and sexual relations. Co-author. TL4 https://www.phb.co.uk/article/thoughtleaders4-privateclient-capacity-sexual-relations-a-radical-re-assessment/ Tatler: The Heir and the Spare: or are they? Co-author - https://www.phb.co.uk/article/top-lawyers-explain-everything-you-need-to-know-about-surrogacy-and-peerages-sarah-williams-for-tatler/ ThoughtLeaders4PrivateClient magazine February 2021 Issue 3: Capacity & Sexual relations - a radical reassessment - co-author https://www.phb.co.uk/article/top-lawyers-explain-everything-you-need-to-know-about-surrogacy-and-peerages-sarah-williams-for-tatler/ Future Lawyer blog lawbore: Surrogacy during a global pandemic - https://www.phb.co.uk/article/surrogacy-during-a-global-pandemic-interview-with-sarah-williams-for-future-lawyer-blog-lawbore/ Podcasts: Winner Gold Award CityWealth Best Podcast - https://www.phb.co.uk/article/payne-hicks-beach-is-delighted-to-be-the-winner-of-best-blog-podcast-of-the-year-at-the-2022-citywealths-brand-management-reputation-awards/ A series of award winning Modern Family Law Podcasts: International Surrogacy: A Guide to New York file:///I:/028000/0135/Docs/Private/PublicMarketing/OldWebsite/www.phb.co.uk/legal-updates/international-surrogacy-new-york.html -] International Surrogacy: A Guide to Florida - https://www.phb.co.uk/article/international-surrogacy-florida/ International Surrogacy: A Guide to California - https://www.phb.co.uk/article/californian-surrogacy-arrangements-what-all-uk-intended-parents-need-to-know/ International Surrogacy: An Intended Parent’s Perspective - https://www.phb.co.uk/article/surrogacy-a-parents-perspective/ The Truth behind Egg Freezing - The truth behind egg freezing - Sarah Williams and Professor Joyce Harper - file:///I:/028000/0135/Docs/Private/PublicMarketing/OldWebsite/www.phb.co.uk/legal-updates/the-truth-behind-egg-freezing-sarah-williams-and-professor-joyce-harper.html] Donor Gametes: Where to start? - https://www.phb.co.uk/article/how-to-find-the-right-donor-egg-sperm-and-gestational-surrogate-in-order-to-start-your-family/ 2000 Publications include: STEP Journal: The Parentage Trap. Co-author. https://www.phb.co.uk/legal-updates/the-parentage-trap-jessica-henson-sarah-williams-for-step-journal] Family Law: Surrogacy in Unusual Circumstances: X, Re [2020] EWFC 39 https://www.phb.co.uk/legal-updates/the-parentage-trap-jessica-henson-sarah-williams-for-step-journal and https://www.familylaw.co.uk/news_and_comment/surrogacy-in-unusual-circumstances-x-re-2020-ewfc-39 ] Family Law Journal: Eyes Wide Open: Transparency in the Family Courts https://www.phb.co.uk/article/eyes-wide-open-transparency-in-the-family-courts-sarah-williams-for-the-family-law-journal/ Family Law: Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust v AB [2020] EWCOP 40 The Times: Landmark ruling restricts puberty blockers for children 2020 Speaking Engagements, include: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Professional Development Conference: The Changing Face of Motherhood 2020 Press interviews/comments include: The Guardian: ‘Parents fight in Court over whether children should return to school in England’ https://www.theguardian.com/law/2020/jun/02/parents-fight-in-court-over-whether-children-should-return-to-school-in-england Financial Times: Navigating the lockdown causes stepfamilies further stress: https://www.ft.com/content/c464f112-82ff-11ea-b872-8db45d5f6714
Sarah Buechel (née Thursby-Pelham)
Payne Hicks Beach LLPSarah is an associate in the Private Client department. Sarah has experience in drafting wills and codicils, advising on tax, trust and estate planning, administering estates, preparing lasting powers of attorney and making applications to the Court of Protection.
Scott trained in the City and spent seventeen years in practice in Top 100 firms. Latterly he headed up the Property Disputes Team of a leading Thames Valley firm. Drawing on this experience, Scott is able to bring a wide range of technical knowhow and commercial nous to bear on any property dispute, be it commercial or residential. He is building up a following of developer and high net worth clients. Landlord and tenant work is of particular interest to Scott. On the commercial side, he has developed an expertise dealing with cases involving the applicability of the criteria for opposing a new business tenancy on the grounds of redevelopment (ground (f)). With residential tenancies, Scott has represented landlords and tenants of long leases in connection with enfranchisement claims, service charge disputes and disputes between tenant directors of freehold companies. He acted for the successful landlord in a Court of Appeal case concerning waiver of the right to forfeit a long residential lease. Scott has had articles and comment published in the Financial Times, Property Week, Prime Resi, News on the Block, the Property Law Journal, LexisNexis and The Daily Beast. He regularly gives talks to professionals and clients alike and in February 2018 presented two one hour seminars to an audience of several hundred surveyors and other property professionals at the Five Counties Conference in High Wycombe. Reported Cases BDW Trading Limited v Opticlife Limited [2010] EWHC 1951 (Ch) (Notices to Complete had been incorrectly served, entitling the client purchaser to the return of deposits worth £1.5m) Greenwood Reversions Limited v (1) WEF (2) Mehra [2008] H.L.R. 31 (CA) (consideration of the correct approach to granting relief against forfeiture of a long residential lease Hollis et al v Rolfe et al [2008] EWHC 1747 (Ch) (undue influence in property contracts)
Sean is an associate in the Dispute Resolution department with particular focus on contentious trusts and estates disputes. Sean has extensive experience acting in contentious trusts and estates matters and has advised in relation to a wide range of such disputes, including the validity of Wills, in the context of testamentary capacity and undue influence, removal of executors and trustees, constructive and resulting trusts and the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Sean also has experience of charity and commercial disputes.
Sheroy Zaq is a solicitor and supervisor within the public law department at Duncan Lewis’ Harrow office. He trained within Duncan Lewis’s public law, immigration and prison law departments and has assisted with all areas of prison law, including advocacy before the Independent Adjudicator and the Parole Board for England and Wales. He has regularly represented individuals seeking to make initial claims for asylum, in addition to conducting successful appeals against adverse decisions to the First-Tier and Upper Tribunal. Conducting a number of high profile claims for judicial review and representing claimants in cases concerning administrative detention, Sheroy has also attained injunctive relief against removal and various other challenges to the policies of the Secretary of State for the Home Department. In order to attain evidence for use in claims for judicial review before the High Court and the Court of Appeal, Sheroy has conducted investigative research in Bulgaria, France. Additionally, he represented a core participant in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Recently, Sheroy acted as the lead solicitor on behalf of 13 LGBTQ Syrian refugees in an international group claim, successfully securing their immediate transfer from Turkey to the United Kingdom. Sheroy also has experience working in the firm's prison law department, where he was committed to ensuring that all prisoners were provided with access to justice and the opportunity to progress through the prison system, placing a clear emphasis on assisting vulnerable prisoners in need of a heightened degree of care. He assisted with all areas of prison law, including advocacy before the Independent Adjudicator and the Parole Board for England and Wales. Additionally, he has acted for individuals against academic institutions and local authorities within the sphere of education law, with a particular focus on: Representing victims of bullying in claims against educational institutions and local authorities; A range of higher education matters, including fitness to practise proceedings, academic appeals, matters before the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education and civil claims for compensation; Pursuing school and university admissions appeals; Challenging exclusion from academic institutions; Claims arising from discrimination of any form.
Shivani is an associate in the Family department and advises clients in relation to a wide range of family law matters arising during cohabitation, in contemplation of marriage and on the breakdown of a marriage. Shivani's work covers all areas of family law including financial remedy matters, enforcement action, pre- and post-nuptial agreements and private children disputes. She has extensive experience in a wide range of high-value cases involving international or cross-border elements as well as complex asset structures and trusts.
Simon has an extensive and busy family law practice specialising right across the spectrum of divorce, financial claims, civil partnership disputes, co-habitee disputes and disputes relating to children. In addition, he advises on and drafts cohabitation, separation and pre-nuptial agreements, of which there are a growing number. Much of his work includes an international element and he frequently advises on choice of jurisdiction as well as on the removal of children out of the jurisdiction. Simon's clients have included nationals of the USA, Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland, and from the sports of horse racing, tennis and golf. Simon is in a unique position of having had two family law cases heard in the House of Lords/Supreme Court, which have been reported both nationally and internationally. Simon acted for Pamela White in the ground-breaking decision on the distribution of property and assets on divorce, White v White (2000), which provides for equality as the starting point in the division of assets to ensure the absence of discrimination between the breadwinner on the one hand and the homemaker on the other. This is still the current law. Simon acted for Tini Owens in Tini Owens v Hugh John Owens (2018) in which the Supreme Court refused her a divorce notwithstanding the fact that the marriage had broken down irretrievably and the parties had separated. The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the lower courts that in spite of Mrs Owens having provided 27 examples of Mr Owens's behaviour towards her, he had not behaved in such a way that she could not reasonably be expected to live with him. In the light of the Judgment in Tini Owens v Hugh John Owens, widespread sympathy for Mrs Owens for the way in which she had been treated by the Courts and the overwhelming support from the public, the media, judges, lawyers and politicians for a change in the law, the Government has passed the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 to bring in "no fault" divorce. The purpose of this Act is to allow married couples to divorce without assigning blame for the marriage breakdown. The Act came into force on 6 April 2022 and has been well received. Simon's other reported cases include Court of Appeal decisions: In the Matter of R (Children) (2016) a Court of Appeal Judgment of Lords Justices McFarlane and Lindblom dismissing a father’s appeal against losing direct contact with his children. Hayat Youssef Alireza v Hossam Youssef Ibrahim Radwan and Others (2017) a widely reported Court of Appeal Judgement of Lady Justice Gloster, Law Justice Lewison and Lady Justice King relating to extent to which a prospective inheritance was capable of being a financial resource which could be taken into account in an application for financial relief in divorce proceedings. The case was remitted back to the High Court to determine extent of the lump sum Ms Alireza should receive from Mr Radwan. Tini Owens v Hugh John Owens (2017) a widely reported Court of Appeal Judgment of the President of the Family Division, Sir James Munby, Lady Justice Hallett and Lady Justice Macur refusing the wife a divorce. and High Court decisions: RH v RH (2008) a High Court Judgment of Mr Justice Singer relating to financial remedy claims on divorce and costs. Seagrove v Sullivan (2014) a High Court Judgment of Mr Justice Holman in a cohabitee dispute involving claims under The Trusts of Law and Appointment of Trustees Act and under Schedule 1 of The Children Act. NR v AB (Financial Remedies) (2016) a High Court Judgment of Mrs Justice Roberts relating to financial remedy claims on divorce, the principle of the clean break and extent to which a prospective inheritance was capable of being a financial resource which could be taken into account in an application for financial relief in divorce proceedings. K, L and M (Children) (Child Arrangements Order) (2016) a High Court Judgment of Ms Justice Russell relating to child arrangements re a father losing direct contact with his children due to his conduct towards them. ABX and SBX and DX (2018) a High Court Judgment of Mr Justice Francis relating to financial remedy claims on divorce and issues concerning add backs, section 37 (set aside) applications and offer letters. MY v FY (2020) a High Court Judgment of Ms Justice Russell relating to child arrangements concerning an 8 year old boy and the Father’s wish to see him in circumstances where, whilst he undoubtedly loved his son, he had behaviour issues which made supervised contact necessary. Simon is recommended by the law directories as a leading family lawyer, including Chambers, The Legal 500 UK and Legal Experts. Quotes include: “Simon Beccle was exceptionally responsive and conscientious and was measured and helpful” and “Simon Beccle is empathetic and wise – client care is second to none.” He is listed in the Honours List for Leading Family & Matrimonial Lawyers in the Citywealth Leaders List 2022 and Spear’s 500 2022 as a Recommended Family Lawyer ranked “outstanding in field” with a specialist focus on international divorce. Simon is regularly quoted in the national and legal press.
Simon is Head of the Landed Estates and Agriculture Team. He advises UK and overseas buyers on all aspects of transacting and managing farms, estates and country houses and has been practising in the sector since qualification in 2009. Simon regularly advises on the sale of land for development, in addition to helping clients to deal with manorial rights and rural rights of way, (public and private); he also has a strong background in dealing with issues arising under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 and unregistered land. One of Simon’s specialisms is acting as an independent conveyancing solicitor in matrimonial proceedings for both residential and rural property where the parties cannot agree to instruct either of the firms representing the parties. Qualified 2009, joined Payne Hicks Beach 2018, partner 2018.
The Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland KBE KC MP KC is the Head of Policy and Senior Counsel. Robert joined Payne Hicks Beach in March 2023. Sir Robert Buckland KC was Lord Chancellor of Great Britain for over two years and served as HM Solicitor General for nearly five years prior to that. He has over twenty-five years’ experience in practice at the Bar, both at the self-employed Bar and later as a Law Officer. As Lord Chancellor, he was responsible for landmark reforms of Sentencing Law, Domestic Abuse Law and Divorce Law in England and Wales, and has immense direct experience both as a Bill Minister and as a backbencher in the development, scrutiny and passage of legislation through Parliament, including justice, constitutional law and national security legislation. He therefore has huge experience of criminal, constitutional and public law both as practitioner and law maker. For nearly twenty years from the early 1990s, practising in Swansea and then Cardiff, after initial practice in general common law, Robert specialised in criminal ligation, most notably drugs offences, proceeds of crime and child sexual abuse, rising to be a Grade 4 CPS Prosecutor and member of the Attorney General’s A List of Prosecuting Counsel. He was junior prosecution counsel in a wide range of cases from murder to conspiracy to defraud and health and safety. He had a busy defence practice, regularly conducting work as a Leading Defence Junior in complex drugs conspiracies. He has extensive experience in defending sexual abuse cases, including child sexual abuse and was often a led defence junior in murders and other complex cases. He took silk in 2014. During Robert's time as HM Solicitor General he advised the Government on legal issues relating to all proposed legislation, and on issues that required Law Officer input (ie inter-departmental issues); granted consents to many CPS and SFO prosecutions and Contempt of Court proceedings, made High Court referrals for the reopening of Inquests and reviewed thousands of Crown Court sentences as part of the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, personally conducting over 40 cases in the Court of Appeal. He was responsible for the approval or otherwise of Nolle Prosequi applications, Pardons and Royal Charters. He superintended the work of the CPS, the SFO and the Government Legal Department.
Till is a partner and heads up the firm's dedicated Art and Cultural Property group. He advises international private collectors, art dealers and auction houses, galleries and museums, as well as art investors and advisors, in relation to both contentious and non-contentious matters. Till has built up particular expertise in handling restitution claims to looted artworks. He has reviewed actual and potential claims, advised on, and/or successfully negotiated amicable resolutions to more than three dozen claimed artworks and collectibles. He regularly lectures at various Art Law forums and comments in the media on matters pertaining to Art and Cultural Property Law. Prior to his career in the law, Till worked for several years in international diplomacy and for a Member of Parliament at Westminster.
Verity is an associate solicitor in the Private Client department. She advises individuals, trustees, families and family offices on a broad range of tax, trust and estate planning issues, including in relation to domicile and residence. She is involved in the preparation of wills for both UK-domiciled and non-UK domiciled individuals and she also has experience in preparing and registering Lasting Powers of Attorney.
Victoria advises clients on all aspects of family law arising from the breakdown of marriage, civil partnership, or cohabitation, including pre/post nuptial agreements. Victoria also has extensive experience with private law children matters, including residence, contact disputes and leave to remove applications (both international and domestic). In recent years, Victoria’s principal practice has focussed on disputes with a complex financial and international dimension. Recent cases have included contentious multi-jurisdictional issues regarding forum, complex trust structures, non-disclosure and enforcement. Victoria is praised for her excellent communication skills and exercising sound judgement in the most challenging disputes. She recognises what is at stake for each of her clients. She often works in cases which attract media interest and seeks bespoke solutions for her clients. Her objective is to achieve the best results for her clients as swiftly as possible, but is persistent when it matters. Victoria handles every case with discretion, tact and empathy. Victoria is a member of Resolution and committed to achieving the best possible outcome for her clients, outside of the court room where possible. She is also a member of Women in Family Law.
Victoria is an associate in the Private Client department at Payne Hicks Beach. She specialises in drafting Wills and Codicils, preparing Lasting Powers of Attorney, dealing with the creation and administration of trusts, advising on estate and tax planning, and assisting with the administration of estates for both UK and international clients.
