Penny Clapham
UK Bar Guide 2025
Band 2 : Family: Matrimonial Finance
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
020 7797 7900Share profile
Band 2
About
Provided by Penny Clapham
Practice Areas
Penny specialises in family finance matters, both as an advocate and as a qualified Arbitrator.
She regularly accepts instructions on a wide array of financial disputes. She acts in cases between both between married and unmarried couples, in an international context including under Part III of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, and in respect of children under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989. Penny is equally comfortable representing vulnerable clients in which there is a concurrent Court of Protection issue.
Penny’s international practice extends outside this jurisdiction and she has advised and represented clients in Jersey, where she maintains a particular interest.
Many of Penny’s cases involve high net worth claims or celebrity clients where both skill and discretion are required. Her work regularly involves complex business structures, trusts, farming disputes, offshore assets and international property. She appears at all Court levels and against opponents often many years her senior (including KC’s), both with and without a leader.
Career
Qualified Arbitrator (Family Financial Scheme) - 2021
MA (Hons) Jurisprudence, Oxford University; BVC Inns of Court School of Law;
Inner Temple prize winner: Duke of Edinburgh Scholarship, Streuben Prize, Exhibition
Professional Memberships
MCIArb
FLBA
Publications
Guide to the 2007 Hague Maintenance Convention (Thomson Reuters- Practical Family Law) - of renewed importance to international child maintenance disputes following Brexit.
Co-author of ‘A Guide to Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989’ and "DIY Divorce & Separation: The Expert Guide to Representing Yourself"
Chambers Review
UK Bar
Penelope Clapham has a mixed practice and handles both high-value matrimonial finance and sensitive children matters, tackling work which often features a strong international element. She is also experienced at handling TOLATA disputes and cases involving medical concerns.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Penny really understands the practicalities of family law and has a great insight as to how to present a case to achieve the best outcome."
"Penny is a fearsome opponent, who has a keen analytical mind that lends itself to difficult and complex financial cases. She couples this with a deep understanding of the context of divorce."
"Penny is a gifted advocate with excellent client care."
"Penny really understands the practicalities of family law and has a great insight as to how to present a case to achieve the best outcome."
"Penny is a fearsome opponent, who has a keen analytical mind that lends itself to difficult and complex financial cases. She couples this with a deep understanding of the context of divorce."
"Penny is a gifted advocate with excellent client care."