Queen Elizabeth Building (QEB)

Lewis has been consistently ranked in tier one of the leading silks specialising in Family Law in The Legal 500, in the 2020 edition of which it was said that he is “One of the most respected silks at the family Bar.” In Chambers & Partners guide to the UK Bar for Matrimonial Law he is the longest serving member of the elite ‘star individual’ category and where it has been said that his “combination of advocacy, numeracy and client skills means he has everything”, and even that he “‘makes everything seem possible’ to the point where ‘it almost seems like he can walk on water’”. Slightly less hyperbolically it has been said that his “numerical and analytical dexterity are unsurpassed” and that he has “exceptional judgment” and “willingness to listen”, and that he is “intelligent, forceful and always ready to take up the cudgels”. “He is renowned for his technical proficiency and superior courtroom skills. Sources extol his impressive all-round abilities both inside and outside the courtroom. Top of the tree and by far the most numerate barrister there is. He identifies issues that other people haven't even thought of and is an incredibly persuasive advocate. Lewis is meticulous in his preparation, and a punchy and forceful cross-examiner."

From the beginning of his practice he developed his advocacy skills in the criminal courts but since about 1995 he has practised exclusively in family law, and in particular in the sphere of “big money” financial remedies (financial provision following divorce), ‘Schedule 1’ case (financial provision for children of unmarried parents) and jurisdictional disputes. He has appeared in many of the leading cases either as junior or, since 2002, as leading counsel.

His most recent work includes being part of the team that represented His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Al-Maktoum in his battle to restore contact with his minor children who had been brought to England by their mother HRH Princess Haya. He also represented the respondent husband in XW v XH in the Court of Appeal, which increased the award in favour of the wife by ‘only’ £30m of the £115m that she had been seeking.

He has been a long-time member of the editorial board of the FLBA publication ‘At A Glance’ now in its 29th edition containing key information on all aspects of ancillary relief (and available in many good book shops), and a member of the team responsible for the companion electronic version, @eGlance. He is also one of the authors of Financial Remedies Practice, the essential guide to procedure in such cases, now in its ninth edition. He has a particular interest in matters mathematical.

Cases and Publications

Al M (Publication) [2020] EWHC 122 (Fam)

Al M (Assurances and Waiver), Re [2020] EWHC 67 (Fam)

Al M (Factfinding) [2019] EWHC 3415 (Fam)

XW v XH [2019] EWCA Civ 2262 (18 December 2019)

Pierburg v Pierburg [2019] EWFC 24

Martin v Martin [2018] EWCA Civ 2866

Versteegh v Versteegh [2018] EWCA Civ 1050

IX v IY [2018] EWHC 3053 (Fam)

Zimina v Zimin [2017] EWCA Civ 1429

WM v HM [2017] EWFC 25

Mantegazza v Mantegazza [2017] EWHC 3811

Z v Z and Others [2016] EWHC 1720 (Fam)

Beshavora v Berezovsky [2016] EWCA Civ 161

NR v AB & Ors. [2016] EWHC 277 (Fam)Z v Z [2016] EWHC 911 (Fam)

Fields v Fields [2015] EWHC 1670 (Fam)

Cooper-Hohn v Hohn [2014] EWHC 4122 (Fam)

Cooper-Hohn v Hohn [2014] EWHC 2314 (Fam) (media reporting)

Luckwell v Limata [2014] EWHC 502 (Fam)

Luckwell v Limata [2014] EWHC 536 (Fam)

B v B [2013] EWHC 1232 (Fam)

Y v Y [2012] EWHC 2063 (Fam)

F v F [2012] EWHC 438 (Fam)

Z v Z (No2) [2012] 1FLR 1100

W v W (Divorce Proceedings) [2011] 1FLR 372

Weiner v Weiner [2010] All ER 265

Marano v Marano [2010] 1 FLR 1903

H v H (Financial relief) [2010] 1 FLR 1864

M v M (Costs) [2010] 1 FLR 256

Spencer v Spencer [2009] 2 FLR 1416

P v P (post-Separation Accruals and Earning Capacity) [2008] 2 FLR 1135

H v H [2007] 2FLR 548

Moore v Moore [2007] 2FLR 339

Sorrell v Sorrell [2006] 1 FLR 497

Miller v Miller [2006] 1 FLR 151

G v G (Matrimonial Property: Rights of Extended Family) [2006] 1 FLR 62

OS v DS [2005] 1 FLR 675

Burns v Burns [2004] 3 FCR 263

W v W (Financial Provision: Form E) [2004] 1 FLR 494

M v M (Substantial earning capacity) [2004] 2 FLR 236

Pearce v Pearce [2004] 1 WLR 68, [2004] 2 FLR 1144

Wermuth v Wermuth [2003] 1 FLR 1029

GW v RW [2003] 2 FLR 197

Rose v Rose [2002] 1 FLR 978

Breuning v Breuning [2002] 1 FLR 888

White v White [2000] 2 FLR 981

Kellman [2000] 1 FLR 785

Dart v Dart [1996] 2FLR 286

F v F (Ancillary Relief: Substantial Assets) [1995] 2 FLR 45

Publications include:

At A Glance (1999-date)

Financial Remedies Practice (2013-date)

@eGlance

Lewis has been a member of the Family Law Bar Association (FLBA) since 1985, and in 2004 was elected as a Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAML).