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 – 2025
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
Cristiano Ronaldo’s engagement to long-term partner Georgina Rodríguez may be a celebrated occasion, but for family lawyers and financial advisers, it raises a number of significant cross-border considerations for high-net-worth couples. Partner and Head of Family, Emily Brand, spoke to EPrivateClient about the importance of prenuptial planning across jurisdictions, particularly in light of Ronaldo’s international lifestyle and current residence in Saudi Arabia. The Ronaldo-Rodríguez engagement highlights the modern intersection of family law, wealth planning and international jurisdiction.
Read more 6 min read 14 Aug 2025 Legal insight: Tying the knot without unravelling the businessAs family businesses grow in value and complexity, the impact of a marital breakdown can be significant – emotionally, financially and operationally. In Professional Adviser, Family Partner and Mediator, Katie O’Callaghan explains why pre-nuptial agreements are increasingly viewed as essential tools for business continuity and governance. From protecting shareholdings and preserving privacy, to preventing forced sales and family disputes, Katie outlines why responsible succession and business planning now often includes the ‘pre-nup conversation’.
Read more 5 min read 14 Jul 2025 Wedding bells to alarm bells: how divorce risks family businessesDivorce can be one of the most underestimated risks facing a family business. From ownership disputes to frozen assets and destabilised succession plans, the financial and operational fallout can be severe. In IFA Magazine, Partner and Mediator, Katie O’Callaghan explores the legal blind spots many business owners overlook and outlines practical steps, such as Structural Legal Protections, to reduce the risks before issues arise.
Read more 3 min read 03 Jul 2025 UK Supreme Court divorce case sets precedent for dividing up assets – Emily Brand comments in the Financial TimesPartner and Head of Family, Emily Brand comments in the Financial Times on UK Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Standish v Standish. She describes the decision as a “victory for pragmatism”, while also noting the potential for ambiguity in the application of the decision in more complex future cases.
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