QC Surgery: Complex Finances in HNW Divorce

Harry took silk in 2020 having been the leading finance junior for many years. In 2018 he was awarded Family Law Junior Barrister of the Year, by Chambers & Partners. He previously won it in 2013 and was shortlisted in 2012. No other barrister has ever been nominated three times and won the award twice.

Harry specializes in complex divorce, financial remedies and claims for provision for unmarried parents under Children Act 1989 Schedule 1. His cases usually involve high and ultra-high net worth individuals (including up to £3bn). He has particular experience with complex corporate, trust, tax and business valuation issues, in the UK and overseas. He represents individuals, trusts, trustees and companies and has advised on overseas divorces including in Jersey, Guernsey, Cayman, Gibraltar, Hong Kong and Isle of Man. He also advises commercial funders of litigation.

He is instructed to advise on pre-nuptial agreements including with international dimensions. He is qualified and experienced arbitrator and regularly is called upon to preside over private FDRs. Harry has been instructed as an expert witness on English law in foreign proceedings.

Caitlin supports clients in dealing with the full range of issues arising out of divorce and separation. 

This includes arrangements for children and finances, often involving substantial assets and complex issues such as trusts, pensions and family businesses (including farms). Caitlin also advises clients on wealth protection including pre and post marital agreements. Many cases have an international dimension.

James is a silk who has been ranked for many years in the professional directories as a barrister specialising in “heavy” and complex financial remedy cases.

He is also ranked in relation to children work particularly with an international element. He is extremely numerate and is a formidable advocate. He sits as a part-time Judge hearing complex cases in the Financial Remedy Unit at the Central Family Court. He is Treasurer of the Family Law Bar Association.

Annabel is building a broad practice which reflects the range of chambers’ expertise. She welcomes instructions across the full spectrum of family law.

She regularly represents clients at all levels of proceedings and has appeared independently at all levels up to and including the High Court.

Dakis Hagen QC specialises in Chancery litigation, both commercial and traditional. His cases usually involve international structures, most often trusts and estates, allegations of fraud or professional negligence and asset tracing. Dakis is ranked in Chambers & Partners for Chancery: Commercial and Chancery: Traditional (Band 1) as well as for Trusts (Band 1), Offshore (Band 1) and Family/Matrimonial: Trusts/Tax Experts (Star Individual).  Chambers HNW has placed him in Band 1 for Traditional Chancery. The Legal 500 ranks him for Civil Fraud and Offshore. He is named in the Legal Week Private Client Global Elite.

Before taking silk Dakis won Chancery Junior of the Year at the Chambers Bar Awards (2014) was nominated in 2018 for Chancery Silk of the Year and was nominated in 2020 for STEP Advocate of the Year. The international nature of Dakis' practice has meant that he is instructed both by London solicitors and also directly from overseas (including from the USA, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Gibraltar and the Channel Islands). He has appeared as leading counsel in courts in the Cayman Islands, BVI, Bermuda and Gibraltar as well as frequently in London. He is co-chairman of the Legal Week Trusts & Estates Litigation Forum (formerly known as the "Provence conference").

Katherine advises and acts in all areas of matrimonial finance. She has experience in dealing with complex cases involving high net worth and high profile individuals. She also advises and acts in relation to claims brought under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989.

Katherine advises and acts in all areas of private law children work. She has experience in dealing with complex cases involving internal and external relocation and intractable contact disputes.

Katherine is also a qualified Mediator.

Craig specialises in financial remedies, including applications pursuant to Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989, applications under TOLATA and inheritance actions, with particular expertise in cases involving farms, trusts, business assets.

Craig is well placed to act in matters where there is an overlap between family and civil work. In addition, he undertakes the full range of Children Act proceedings with particular emphasis on removal from the jurisdiction and international child abduction and relocation as well as Court of Protection work.

Craig has considerable experience of dealing with high-value and complex matters from County Court to Court of Appeal level.

He is recognised as a tenacious, well prepared advocate with a calm and assured manner who is renowned for his expertise and exceptional client care skills.

Craig is authorised to accept public access instructions in appropriate cases.

Jack specialises in financial remedies, including applications under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989, and applications under TOLATA . He has a particular interest in cases involving pensions as well as farms and family businesses.

In addition, he undertakes a significant range of Children Act proceedings, including applications to relocate both domestically and internationally, as well those involving allegations of domestic abuse and controlling behaviour.

Jack has experience representing clients before all levels of the judiciary, up to and including the Court of Appeal.

He is qualified to accept instructions under the Direct Public Access Scheme.

Alex is responsible for the planning, monitoring and implementation of the company’s strategies, goals and procedures. Alex oversees product development, lending opportunities and the daily operations of the executives, as well as general day to day supervision and management of the company’s loan book, underwriting and other projects.

Alex was formerly a solicitor at two of the City’s most respected law firms. Alex has significant experience in domestic and multi-jurisdictional HNW and UHNW divorces including those with complex trust and corporate structures, pre-acquired wealth and non-disclosure issues.