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The family team at Zenith Chambers is led by John Myers, who is ‘faultless, fluid, flawless, precise and to the point’. Case work remains a strong discipline for the set which is also frequently instructed in local authority work. Anthony Hajimitsis is ‘one of the best around’; Louise McCallum is ‘exceptionally well prepared and puts her arguments strongly but in a calm and polite way’; and John Hayes is ‘a formidable advocate’, combining his ‘high-calibre’ advocacy with ‘encyclopaedic’ knowledge. Also recommended are the ‘meticulous’ Elizabeth Darlington and Roger Bickerdike, who has an ‘ability to assimilate and understand the facts of the case’.

‘By far the most capable set in ancillary relief’, Broadway House Chambers is a ‘first port of call’ for family cases. Robert Cole ‘brings an unusually experienced view to ancillary relief issues’ as a former accountant. Nicholas Power has ‘great judgement and is popular with judges’. Paul Isaacs is ‘strong in cases involving high-asset or complex businesses, and is an exceptional advocate’. Other ‘effective counsel’ within the team include Gordon Shelton, Rae Cohen and Martin Wood.

St Paul’s Chambers’ Simon Bickler QC took silk in early 2011, and Nicola Saxton has ‘an impressive grip of the principles and the detail’.

Parklane Plowden provides ‘good quality children law representation both in private and public law’. Team members include ‘very strong advocate’ Joanne Astbury; Lynn McFadyen, who employs ‘quiet professionalism that instils confidence’; Dornier Whittaker, who is ‘empathetic but sensible in her advice’; and the highly recommended Julia Nelson.

No. 6’s Natalia Korobowicz is ‘outstanding’ with an ability to be ‘insightful and persuasive’ in the courtroom. Other names of note include Jill Troy, Charles Prest, Adam Wilson and Stephen Switalski.

Park Court Chambers’ Valerie Sterling has ‘an excellent courtroom manner’, and Chloe Hudson is ‘an extremely competent and articulate advocate’. Sally Terris and Alex Taylor (who is ‘good on his feet’) are recommended.

At the ‘undoubtedly strong’ Trinity Chambers, James Richardson is ‘thorough and forensic’, ‘his cross-examination is without fault’ and ‘his approach is resolute and tough’. Lesley McKenzie is ‘confident and persuasive’; Nicholas Stonor is ‘first class and a leader in this field’; and Angela Giovannini provides ‘an excellent overall service’. ‘Market leader in family law’ Timothy Spain and the ‘extremely thorough’ Brian Mather are recommended.

At Broad Chare Chambers, Kester Armstrong, James Brown and David Rowlands are recommended.

Head of Paradise Chambers’ family team Mererid Edwards is particularly strong in child abuse cases, domestic violence, adoption law and ancillary relief.

At Bank House Chambers, Justine Cole and Louise Stanbury are recommended. The set ‘as a whole has clear expertise particularly in cases brought under the Children Act’.

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