Queen Elizabeth Building (QEB)

Tim’s practice spans all aspects of family law. He is predominantly known as an expert in ‘big money’ family finance, married or unmarried, alive or dead (including claims under the Inheritance Act) and especially international. Tim has particular expertise in cases with a foreign or international element, especially Anglo-German cases. Tim is fluent in German (including legal German and German mediation) and has good professional French. He has undertaken work experience in German courts and German law firms. This has led to his involvement in an increasing number of cases with an Anglo-German element and/or German-speaking clients or witnesses, and those with disclosure issues relating to assets in German-speaking jurisdictions including Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Tim has been variously described in legal directories as ‘one of the go-to silks for jurisdiction and complex international issues’ and ‘rated extremely highly by the market for his abilities in international family law and international family finance’; and as having an ‘awesome ability to cut through detail’, an ‘unshakeable grasp of a case’ and ‘rigorous attention to detail’ but at the same time ‘the patience of a saint’, and being ‘fairly tough but very nice; you know that he is really going to take a case forward.’ The Legal 500 2014 describes Tim as a ‘formidable intellect with an extraordinary ability to master legal complexities quickly’. Reported cases include: Bellinger [2002] Fam 150 [2001] 2FLR 1048 (CA) (transsexual capacity to marry); Islam [2003] 2 FLR 1208 (fraudulent divorce petition) Wermuth No.1 [2003] 1FLR 1022 (seizin and Article 11(4) under Brussels II); Wermuth No.2 [2003] 1 FLR 1029 (CA) (protective and provisional measures under Brussels II); Duhur-Johnson v Duhur-Johnson (Attorney General Intervening) [2005] 2 FLR 1042 (non-recognition of overseas divorce); TL v ML [2006] 36 FamLaw 183 (third party ownership and family subvention in ancillary relief); Robson [2011] 1 FLR 751, CA (inherited wealth); Schofield [2011] 1 FLR 2129, CA (MFPA Pt III pensions and Germany); N v F (financial orders pre-acquired wealth) [2011] 2 FLR 533; Petrodel v Prest [2013] 2 FLR 732 UKSC (MCA s24 and the corporate veil); T v T Brussels II Revised: Article 15 [2013] 2 FLR 1326 (transfer of European proceedings and S v S (Brussels II Revised: Articles 19 (1) + (3) reference to CJEU [2014] EWHC 3613. Tim is also a Resolution Mediator, a private FDR judge and a trained collaborative lawyer.

Qualified 1987; QC 2008; Lincoln’s Inn. Standing Counsel to the Queen’s Proctor 2001-08, a government appointment to advise the Treasury Solicitor on all matters of family law with a public interest element, including the validity of foreign marriages and divorces. Tim has lectured on the recognition of foreign marriages and divorces; on ‘The Mess of European Family Law’ and on the EU maintenance regulation; and lectures in English, German and French, most recently on the EU Maintenance Regulation, Pre-nups and Matrimonial Property Regimes.

Fluent German (including legal German), good professional French.

British German Jurists Association; Family Law Bar Association; Resolution; Fellow of IAML.

Oriel College, Oxford (MA Ancient and Modern History); University of Westminster (Diploma in Law).

Enjoys music and wine (together and separately).