St John's Buildings

Family (Finance) (Children Private Law)

Jim has extensive experience of addressing the disputes that may arise out of the breakdown of a marriage or civil partnership, and of acting for both parties and intervenors. Jim’s attention to detail, approachability and practical advice coupled his robust but pragmatic approach to negotiations, allows best scope for cases to resolve both successfully and cost effectively prior to a final hearing. Jim is also noted for his work in court, particular his robust and effective cross examination of witnesses. Jim’s experience in this area includes:

• Overseas assets
• Business assets
• Hidden assets
• Dissipated assets (including applications to prevent or recover)
• Inherited wealth
• Intervenors
• Applications to vary
• Enforcement proceedings.

Jim also has experience of providing advice in respect of the drafting and effect of both pre-nuptial and post nuptial agreements.

Family finance: cohabitees

Jim’s practice also encompasses disputes arising out of co-habitee relationships, particularly those in respect of the family home. Jim has extensive experience of TOLATA 1996 and LPA 1925 proceedings within the civil courts and also of applications made under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 and under the Married Women’s Property Act 1882 in the Family Court.

As with his wider practice, Jim is available and prefers to provide assistance in conference or writing from an early stage with a view to delivering best results for lay clients, particularly in those cases which have to proceed in the civil costs jurisdiction.

Jim also specialises in private law Children Act 1989 proceedings, and has represented parents, grandparents, other relatives, children and children’s guardians in a wide variety of applications, including for:

• Child Arrangement Orders
• Specific Issue Orders
• Prohibited Steps Orders
• Section 91(14) orders
• Permission to re-locate overseas

Jim deals with all elements/stages of the private law process, including finding of fact hearings, and is also regularly instructed in respect of matters involving domestic abuse, alcohol/substance abuse, child abuse (including alienating behaviours) and other cases involving vulnerable parties/children.

Domestic abuse

Jim’s practice also encompasses proceedings under the FLA 1996 for both non-molestation and occupation orders. Jim is often instructed on behalf of respondents, particularly in respect of applications for occupation orders or where there are wider proceedings in prospect in respect of either property or children.

Jim read law at the University of Bristol before being admitted as a solicitor in 2002. Jim was called to the bar by Grays Inn in 2016.