Catherine is well-known in the field of family law, leading the Family Group at Harbottle & Lewis which has gained significant respect within the industry.Under Catherine’s leadership, the Family team has gone from strength to strength and she has gained a formidable reputation within the industry where it is said she is now 'at the top of the table of London divorce solicitors'.Since early 2020, Catherine has been running an unprecedented, high-value case over numerous hearings in the High Court and Court of Appeal. The case draws on multiple areas of law extending well beyond family and raising important legal questions.Catherine’s client base includes individuals from UHNW families, often with a public profile to protect. Her clients range from royalty to entrepreneurs, business and finance leaders and those in the creative industries. Catherine works closely with the firm’s top-tier defamation/reputation group to protect privacy in the event of invasive media attention.Catherine’s practice encompasses all areas of private family law in the wake of relationship breakdown as well as advising on pre-emptive nuptial agreements.Catherine has particular expertise in handling complex finances and representing international clients with interests under corporate and trust structures across jurisdictions, often working with family offices and trusted advisors.Catherine’s approach to each client is tailor-made – whether low-key negotiation outside of the court process or skilled litigation within it, always thinking expansively and finding inventive ways to cut through a dispute.
England - London • Private client
Harbottle & Lewis LLP
Harbottle & Lewis LLP receives many plaudits for its ‘superb team’, which is led by Catherine Bedford, ’the Boadicea of the family law world’ who ‘runs chariots through opponents’ defences’. The agile team covers both financial and children work, most often representing ultra-high-net-worth clients. It has substantial expertise in complex children cases involving issues of domestic abuse and coercive control, as well as parental alienation. Nicholas Westley has particular expertise in nuptial and cohabitation agreements, while Mark Irving garners praise for his ’combination of brains and humanity’. In team news, Lidia Cantele and Alex Ward were promoted to the partnership in June 2022.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘I trust Mark Irving completely and felt that he was on my side, and Naomi was very thorough and sensible and didn’t beat around the bush. She gave good advice and listened to my concerns. Both Naomi and Mark worked above and beyond to get me a result.'
‘Catherine Bedford inspires real loyalty, attracts the best talent, and retains it. She is a great rainmaker and creates strong personal relationships with the wealthiest and (sometimes) most demanding of client. Her trademark is 'tell it like it is, and they will appreciate it.' Mark Irving is so clever and so dedicated.'
‘A stellar team who are very highly regarded and deal with the most complex cases. They can walk a client through stormy waters with ease and are a very united group who all offer something unique, whether it be client skills, preparation of documents or unravelling a legal problem. They are all over everything.'
'Catherine Bedford and Mark Irving are both exceptional family lawyers with prodigious work rates, offering exceptional client care and first-rate legal advice.'
'Lidia Cantele is pragmatic, efficient and a real pleasure to deal with. Daisy Minns Shearer is conscientious, hard working and highly motivated. Both Lidia and Daisy have a very human approach and are very well-regarded.'
'The team I work with are first rate, incredibly efficient, responsive, and always very accommodating. Particular mention goes out to Catherine Bedford, Mark Irving, Eleanor Haidon, Lidia Cantele, Polly Broad and Xander Drury.'
'Super committed bunch who go well above and beyond the normal expectations of what lawyers will do for their clients.'
'Nicholas Westley runs a superb team.'
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Mark is a Partner within the firm's Family department. He handles all aspects of private family law with a particular emphasis on complex financial and children cases, and those with an international dimension. Mark has considerable experience advising clients in relation to financial claims upon the breakdown of marriage and other relationships. He is often instructed to advise on the care and living arrangements for children, including international relocation cases, and advises regularly on pre and post nuptial agreements as well as cohabitation agreements. Mark advises clients from all walks of life. Many have substantial assets, offshore and corporate asset-holding structures, are in the public eye or have reputation management concerns. Mark’s particular skill is in providing clients with smart strategies and solutions, simplifying complex legal issues and communicating in a down to earth and collegiate manner. Mark has been described by Patrick Chamberlayne QC as “an outstanding family lawyer with an exceptional strategic brain” and by Alex Verdan QC as a lawyer with “excellent judgment” who “knows when to litigate and fight a case hard, and yet also is astute and reasonable and knows when to compromise”. In addition to Mark’s client work, he holds a number of management positions within the firm.
Nicholas is an experienced family barrister. He previously practised at Queen Elizabeth Building and draws on his experience at the Bar to provide clients with a unique perspective. However, he has been a partner since April 2013.Nicholas specialises in complex matrimonial matters. He is particularly experienced in protecting family wealth, drafting nuptial agreements and advising in cases involving complex asset-holding structures. In the last year, Nicholas has represented a wide variety of clients in the public-eye, including: several well-known artists in the music industry and Premier League footballers. Nicholas has also advised the trustees of a Guernsey trust who have been joined as parties to financial remedy proceedings in the High Court. He has advised in relation to multiple pre-nuptial agreements where the assets exceed £100m. Nicholas also just obtained permission to pursue an application under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984, seeking provision from a husband worth in excess of £100m+. Stewart Leech QC describes Nicholas as follows:“He is an exceptionally gifted family lawyer and his experience on both sides of the legal profession gives him the cutting edge. He is easily one of the best, if not the best, of his generation.”
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Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Catherine Bedford