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(0117) 923 4700Chambers Review
St John's Chambers has a lengthy roster of silks and juniors with invaluable expertise in a wide range of family and matrimonial matters. Its members are particularly skilled at handling cross-jurisdictional matters for high net worth individuals, especially those concerning the division of assets as part of divorce proceedings. The barristers are frequently called upon to assist with the most complex public children mandates encompassing sexual abuse, brain injury and trafficking matters, and also take on private work such as Children Act proceedings. One source comments: "St John's Chambers is a first-rate family set."
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"St John's Chambers has a very good clerking service. In particular, practice team leader Elaine Jewell-Moore is outstanding."
"St John's Chambers has an excellent clerking team ‒ nothing is too much trouble ‒ and it is active in ensuring that the best-suited barrister is on the case."
"The clerks are unfailingly helpful and professional."
"Luke Hodgson, practice manager, is a truly excellent clerk ‒ very responsive and helpful."
"The set has really helpful clerks including Elaine Jewell-Moore who goes above and beyond."
"St John's Chambers has a very good clerking service. In particular, practice team leader Elaine Jewell-Moore is outstanding."
"St John's Chambers has an excellent clerking team ‒ nothing is too much trouble ‒ and it is active in ensuring that the best-suited barrister is on the case."
"The clerks are unfailingly helpful and professional."
"Luke Hodgson, practice manager, is a truly excellent clerk ‒ very responsive and helpful."
"The set has really helpful clerks including Elaine Jewell-Moore who goes above and beyond."
Notable Practitioners
Abigail Bond is head of the children law team and an expert in challenging cases concerning alleged sexual and physical abuse. She is well known for her authorship of a frequently used text on learning disabilities and is regularly instructed in cases concerning the care of children and Court of Protection matters.
"Abigail is a safe pair of hands for even the most difficult case."
"Abigail gives great advice and stands her ground in the High Court. She is always very well prepped and is great in cross-examination."
Christopher Sharp KC is an extremely well-regarded family silk who frequently handles disputes relating to the division of significant assets. He regularly acts in matters with an international element to them, as well as cases involving complex medical evidence. His family law practice benefits from top-drawer expertise in the most serious personal injury claims.
"Christopher is excellent in all areas."
"Christopher's preparation and attention to detail are second to none."
"As a barrister, Christopher is hard to better."
Judi Evans heads the family team at the set and maintains a strong reputation for her work in the public sphere, particularly on non-accidental injury cases concerning abuse allegations. She has additional experience handling complex cases involving drug and alcohol abuse, as well as fabricated or induced illness.
"Judi is outstanding: a leading barrister in her field."
"Judi provides incredible support on complex cases, often going above and beyond."
"Judi isa go-to for complex cases."
"Judi always knows the answer to nuanced questions and is an exceptional advocate."
Susan Hunter has expertise in children cases with complex aspects such as sexual, physical and emotional abuse, as well as handling adoption and trafficking matters.
"Susan is outstanding. She always goes the extra mile and secures the best possible outcome for the client."
"Susan is a go-to for complex or difficult cases."
Zoë Saunders is a specialist in family law, often dealing with international leave to remove cases and divorce proceedings involving property in the UK and abroad. She has experience in financial disputes regarding inherited property, business partnerships, trusts and land matters, and insolvency issues.
"Zoë Saunders is a standout barrister for complex matters."
"Zoë oozes intelligence and is so well prepared. She knows a case back to front immediately. So impressive."
"Zoë is a fearless and effective advocate who will stand her ground. She is my go-to barrister for complex cases."
"Zoë is always prepared to go the extra mile and is excellent both in terms of her advocacy and advice."
Jack Harris is highlighted for his strong work across a range of family matters. He practises predominantly in financial remedy work.
"Jack is a fearless advocate and my go-to barrister where I have difficult opponents."
"Jack is the epitome of a family barrister. He has a warm approach to clients and has a laser focus on the most compelling arguments."
"Jack is the counsel you want on your side; detailed, fantastic preparation and brilliant with clients."
"Jack is relentless in pursuing the client’s objectives."
Jody Atkinson practises across the whole spectrum of private family matters, often advising on ancillary relief disputes involving family trusts and overseas companies, as well as bankruptcy and insolvency issues. He is also active in matters relating to child support.
"Jody is an outstanding barrister and one of the smartest people I know."
"Jody is extremely sharp and focused and gives easily accessible advice."
"Jody is a super barrister on every level."
"Jody is our go -for child maintenance work. He is an expert in this area and is always very well prepared."
Lucy Reed KC specialises in children work and acts for clients on a wide variety of public and private cases. She regularly advises on matters involving challenging or vulnerable parties, such as parents with substance abuse or mental health issues, and children with disabilities and learning difficulties. She is also skilled at handling adoption and trafficking cases before the High Court.
"Lucy's attention to detail is excellent. She is very helpful and a strong advocate."
"Lucy is absolutely brilliant. She is very, very thorough across everything and very strategic in how she thinks."
"Lucy is a brilliant advocate and is extremely knowledgeable. She instils confidence in those instructing her."
"Lucy is absolutely superb and a real safe pair of hands."
Richard Norman acts on a broad range of family law matters, including those concerning financial remedies following relationship breakdowns and complex private children cases. He is particularly well versed in cases with an international element, involving foreign assets and trusts, as well as taxation issues.
"Richard's advocacy in written work is excellent and on his feet he is robust and sensible."
"Richard is consistently brilliant."
"Richard has a super client manner and provides excellent written submissions."
"Richard Norman is one of my go-to barristers because he is pragmatic, solution-focused and approachable."
Bethany Scarsbrook specialises in financial remedies disputes and private children law, with particular experience in cases that involve cross-jurisdictional issues, complex asset structures and allegations of assault.
"Bethany has great experience and gives brilliant advice. She is wonderful to work with."
"Bethany is an excellent barrister who will always go that extra mile to ensure a case is fully prepared."
Caroline Elford is an experienced advocate with a strong children law practice. She frequently acts in matters concerning serious physical abuse, non-accidental injury cases and care proceedings.
"Caroline Elford is excellent."
Jacqueline Humphreys is particularly recognised for her handling of financial matters. She is noted for her specialism in Schedule 1 applications, as well as complex matrimonial finance matters involving trusts and other shared assets.
"Jacquelinenever leaves anything behind and she fights hard."
"For any difficult and complex matters I have, Jacqueline is my go-to. She is an outstanding barrister."
"Jacqueline is robust in her approach and prepares for every case meticulously."
Julia Belyavin is experienced in public and private children law. Her children law work is often focused on complex cases of physical, mental or sexual abuse, and sees her appear before the High Court.
"Julia is my go-to counsel for all complex matters."
"Julia is astrong advocate in children matters."
Former solicitor Ryan Morgan handles public and private children law work. He represents local authorities, parents and children with complex proceedings, including cases involving non-accidental injury, fabricated illness, sexual assaults and child death.
"Ryan is a very personable barrister, who has an excellent knowledge of the law."
"Ryan is an experienced advocate and always a safe pair of hands to instruct on any case. He has an extensive knowledge of the case law and always prepares detailed and thorough skeleton arguments."
"Ryan is fantastic, very approachable and supportive in the most complex of cases."
Zahid Hussain is a family law specialist who represents children, guardians and parents in children law matters. His experience includes cases of non-accidental injury, sexual and physical abuse, and care proceedings.
"Zahid is extremely knowledgeable on the law and is excellent at picking up and making sense of a complex case."
"Zahid is the consummate professional."
"Zahid is a very thorough and experienced advocate whose drafting skills are second to none."