The Legal 500

United Kingdom > Regional Bar > Northern Circuit > Family

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

St Johns Buildings’ Anthony Hayden QC is routinely involved in the most high-profile cases and is the ‘“the star of the north” when it comes to difficult children work’. Sarah Singleton QC is the ‘complete package for a local authority’; she is ‘grounded, has great interpersonal skills, and is a great legal intellect and advocate’. Karl Rowley is the ‘best childcare junior in Manchester’, Sally Harrison QC is the ‘best ancillary relief barrister in Manchester’ and a ‘robust advocate’; Charles Eastwood has a mixed family law practice and is a ‘real detail man’; and Alexander Kloss, who ‘exudes confidence and calmness’, has a strong ancillary relief practice. Lorraine Cavanagh’s ‘attention to detail is fantastic, and her immediate grasp of any given situation, and ability to think on her feet, is awe inspiring’. Gaynor Lloyd recently joined from 1 Stanley Place.

At 9 St John Street, the ‘feisty’ Gillian Irving QC, Rachael Heppenstall and Sara Lewis are recommended for childcare work. Graham Bailey handles complex financial matters and is particularly recommended for cases where assets are held overseas.

Deans Court Chambers’ Jane Cross QC, who handles children matters of the utmost severity, has a ‘quick brain and a good court presence, which makes her a formidable advocate’. Susan Grocott QC and Frances Heaton are recommended for childcare matters. Karen Brody, Louise Bancroft and Francesca Fothergill, who has recently moved from St Johns Buildings, are highly recommended for financial matters.

St James’s Chambers’ Barrie Searle is recommended for high-value ancillary relief cases.

At Atlantic Chambers, the ‘very good’ Samantha Hillas is strong on the financial front and is particularly interested in pre-nuptial agreements. Malcolm Sharpe is a leading senior on finance, trusts, land and pre-nuptial agreements, and Andrew Banks is recommended for the same work at the junior end. Michael Sellars is a leading senior for complex childcare matters and Christine Johnson is a busy childcare junior. Abigail Bennett recently joined the team from 3 Dr Johnson’s Buildings.

7 Harrington Street’s ‘extremely good’ Deirdre McGuire and Kevin Reade are recommended for financial matters. Zoe Thorne and Joanna Mallon are recommended for children matters.

India Buildings Chambers’ Gail Owen and Michael Kennedy are well regarded senior members and are ‘good with more complex Children Act cases’. Leona Harrison has a ‘no-nonsense attitude’ and has a ‘good accountancy background, which is extremely helpful in ancillary relief disputes’: she also handles a wide range of children matters. Jade Abraham is a busy childcare practitioner, who is tipped for a bright future.

At Exchange Chambers, Judith Fordham is ‘perceptive, feisty in the right cases, solution focused and approachable’, and is recommended for high-value ancillary relief cases. Karen Gregory and the ‘up-and-coming’ Caroline Gee are highly recommended. Archna Dawar recently joined the set from Albion Chambers.

Oriel Chambers has a widely recognised strength in ancillary relief matters.

Search News and Articles

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
© 2012 www.legal500.com