Family law.

Family law (matrimonial finance, cohabitee disputes, private law children, applications under the inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, general common law. Notable cases: Hargreaves (Trustee in Bankruptcy of Salt) v Salt; Hill v Hargreaves (Trustee in Bankruptcy of Salt) [2011] EWCA Civ 248; [2011] BPIR 656; Proforce Recruit Ltd v Rugby Group Ltd [2006] All ER (D); Hannigan v Hannigan [2002] 2 FCR 650 (C/A); Re Y (children) (occupation order) [2000] 2 FCR 470 (C/A); Atkin v DPP: The Times [1989] Cr App Rep 199 (Div Court); Known for his robust and thorough approach to cases, Stephen originally pursued a career with the Derbyshire Constabulary. After two years in the police service he left to go to university; graduated with a law degree from Leicester University in 1985 and was called to the Bar in 1986 by Inner Temple having come in the top eight per cent in the Bar Finals and won two separate scholarships. In his early years at the Bar, Stephen had a mixed common law practice. For many years now Stephen has specialised in matrimonial finance (with a particular emphasis on complex ancillary relief cases for high net worth clients involving issues such as trusts and company valuations) and related fields, particularly applications under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and cohabitation disputes. Stephen enjoys and continues to accept instructions in private law children cases as well as common law/commercial work. Publications: Stephen has published an article entitled “Ancillary Relief Trial Bundles – An Ignored Art” in the April Edition of Family Law. The article examines the reason why trial bundles are important, gives guidance how they should be prepared and warns the profession of the increasing penalties for failure to follow the Practice Direction.

Called 1986; Inner Temple.

Family Law Bar Association.

Leicester University; Inns of Court School of Law. Scholarships and Awards: Inner Temple Profumo Award; The Skinners Company Award.