Nicholas Westley > Harbottle & Lewis LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Harbottle & Lewis LLP
7 Savoy Court
LONDON
WC2R 0EX
England

Work Department

Family

Position

Nicholas is an experienced family barrister. He previously practised at Queen Elizabeth Building and draws on his experience at the Bar to provide clients with a unique perspective. However, he has been a partner since April 2013.

Nicholas specialises in complex matrimonial matters. He is particularly experienced in protecting family wealth, drafting nuptial agreements and advising in cases involving complex asset-holding structures.

In the last year, Nicholas has represented a wide variety of clients in the public-eye, including: several well-known artists in the music industry and Premier League footballers. Nicholas has also advised the trustees of a Guernsey trust who have been joined as parties to financial remedy proceedings in the High Court. He has advised in relation to multiple pre-nuptial agreements where the assets exceed £100m. Nicholas also just obtained permission to pursue an application under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984, seeking provision from a husband worth in excess of £100m+.

Stewart Leech QC describes Nicholas as follows:

“He is an exceptionally gifted family lawyer and his experience on both sides of the legal profession gives him the cutting edge. He is easily one of the best, if not the best, of his generation.”

Career

  • Pupillage/tenancy at Queen Elizabeth Building: (2005 – 2013)
  • Partner/barrister at Lee & Thompson LLP (2013 – 2016)
  • Harbottle & Lewis LLP (2016 to date)

Memberships

  • The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
  • Family Law Bar Association
  • The Denning Society

Education

  • Solihull School (1994–2001)
  • Oxford University: First in Law (2001–2004)
  • BPP Law School: Bar Vocational Course (2004–2005)

Lawyer Rankings

London > Private client > Family

(Leading partners)

Nicholas Westley – Harbottle & Lewis LLP

Harbottle & Lewis LLPis the perfect example of what a boutique specialist London family law firm can offer’, often dealing with high-profile individuals and offering expertise across complex financial arrangements and vulnerable children cases. Department head Catherine Bedford is recommended for her approach to high-value, reputationally sensitive matters, working regularly with the firm’s reputation protection and media team. Multijurisdictional matters are an area of expertise for Nicholas Westley, while Mark Irving ‘fiercely‘ represents his clients in both children and financial cases. Lidia Cantele is noted for her ‘sophisticated and subtle insight‘ on large, long-running matters, while Polly Broad has particular experience with vulnerable clients, including those experiencing coercive and controlling behaviour.