Areas of Practice
Track Record
Acting with Katie Male for the wife in the case of KA v MA (prenuptial agreement: needs) [2018] EWHC 499 (Fam), [2018] All ER (D) 92 (Apr) concerning the extent to which a court should uphold the terms of a pre-nuptial agreement which the wife sought to disregard. Taking into account all of the circumstances of the case the court largely overturned the pre-nuptial agreement, on the basis that it failed to meet the wife’s reasonable needs, and provided the wife with an award of £2.73 million, well in excess of the provision in the pre-nuptial agreement
Acting for the HNW fund manager husband in his financial remedy proceedings following his divorce (B v B (2013) EWHC 1232 (Fam)in a two week trial in the High Court, which is now the lead authority on how valuable private equity funds are to be treated in HNW financial remedy proceedings following a divorce
Acting for Mr Don Gallagher, a male civil partner in the case of Lawrence v Gallagher [2012] EWCA Civ 394 which was the first civil partnership financial relief case to reach the High Court and subsequently the Court of Appeal. The case was widely reported in the media, being the first of its kind
Awards & Rankings
Legal 500, Leading Partner, 2025
Chambers HNW, Ranked Individual, 2017 – 2024
Legal 500, Leading Individual, 2018, 2020 – 2024
Chambers UK, Ranked Individual, 2017 – 2020, 2022 – 2024
Tatler HNW Address Book 2020 – 2023, Specialist in Family Law and Founding Partner
Education & Qualification
University of Nottingham
Qualified as a solicitor in 1983
Recommended by James
Partner and Head of Family, Emily Brand comments in Money Marketing highlighting the vital role female financial advisers play in supporting women through complex life events as female wealth ownership continues to rise.
Read more 5 min read 16 Jun 2025 Protecting family wealth from divorceThe Autumn Budget 2024 may not have changed headline inheritance tax rates, but it has made gifting riskier for families looking to reduce IHT exposure. In JM Finn Prospects Magazine, Partner, William Rollin and Senior Associate, Laura Cullinane explore how nuptial agreements can play a crucial role in safeguarding family wealth from divorce risk – especially in the context of succession planning and lifetime gifts.
Read more 4 min read 29 May 2025 No-fault divorce third anniversary – but is it a happy celebration?Partner, Emily Brand and Senior Associate, Alexandra Hirst reflect on the no-fault divorce system, which, whilst simplifying the legal process, does not necessarily stamp out conflict or the emotional anguish that arises when a marriage is dissolved. Eliminating the ‘blame game’ can often lead to parties channelling their frustrations in other aspects of the proceedings.
Read more 4 min read 30 Apr 2025 Navigating Modern Relationships in a Changing WorldEvolving family roles and shifting gender dynamics are reshaping everything from financial planning to parenting and separation. In The Dura Society, Family Partner, Katie O’Callaghan explores how the legal system must keep pace with the realities of modern relationships.
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