Harbottle & Lewis LLP ‘is the perfect example of what a boutique specialist London family law firm can offer’, often dealing with high-profile individuals and offering expertise across complex financial arrangements and vulnerable children cases. Department head Catherine Bedford is recommended for her approach to high-value, reputationally sensitive matters, working regularly with the firm’s reputation protection and media team. Multijurisdictional matters are an area of expertise for Nicholas Westley, while Mark Irving ’fiercely‘ represents his clients in both children and financial cases. Lidia Cantele is noted for her ’sophisticated and subtle insight‘ on large, long-running matters, while Polly Broad has particular experience with vulnerable clients, including those experiencing coercive and controlling behaviour.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Harbottle & Lewis are the perfect example of what a boutique specialist London family law firm can offer. Their partners are universally very good and their associates are brilliant. They deserve in my view to be ranked up there with the top firms in the country.’

  • ‘Lidia Cantele is a brilliant partner; really bright, on the ball and gives measured advice behind the scenes, but is willing to fight if needed.'

  • ‘Catherine Bedford is a remarkably efficient, caring and ferocious lawyer. The combination of her skills makes her extremely successful in her approach to client facing situations and cases. I would highly recommend her.’

  • ‘Harbottle & Lewis LLP is a dedicated, diligent and determined team of family lawyers which provided a bespoke and impeccable personal service.’

  • ‘Mark Irving and Nicholas Westley are exceptionally talented young lawyers with a huge appetite for work and success.’

  • ‘Harbottle & Lewis are involved in many of the most high-profile, high-value and controversial cases, and offer a Rolls-Royce service to their clients.’

  • ‘Lidia Cantele brings sophisticated and subtle insight to cases courtrooms, and clients.'

  • ‘Mark Irving is a top lawyer, very clever. Calm demeanour but a fighter underneath it all, fiercely representing his clients. Great knowledge of his specialist area.'

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Catherine Bedford

Other key lawyers

Nicholas Westley, Mark Irving, Lidia Cantele, Naomi Myatt, Alex Ward, Eleanor Haidon, Xander Drury, Emma Williams, Polly Broad