1GC | Family Law > London, England > Set Profile
1GC | Family Law Offices

1GC | Family Law
10 LINCOLN’S INN FIELDS
LONDON
WC2A 3BP
England
1GC | Family Law > The Legal 500 Rankings
London Bar > Children law (including public and private law) Tier 2
1GC | Family Law has been described as a ‘centre of excellence’ as it has an ‘abundance of talent with its strong and reliable barristers.’ The ‘specialist’ set has ‘superb leading and junior counsel who are strong in both private and public children work.’ Denise Gilling QC and Sally Stone QC are 2021 Silk appointments. Members at the set also excel in the areas of modern families, adoption, international abduction and relocation, as well as having expertise in matters against a backdrop of serious criminal allegations, including those of terrorism. The junior end was reinforced with the arrival of Karen Kabweru-Namulemu from KCH Garden Square in September 2021.Leading Silks
2021 Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘I would regard 1GC as my ‘go to’ chambers for anything involving children. It has a great range of counsel from seniors to junior juniors. It has also provided excellent training webinars especially during lock down.’
‘1 GC is a very well-run set. ‘
‘A brilliant and go-to chambers for children’s work, with a good range of advocates at all levels.’
‘This chamber is highly respected and with good reason; from its QCs down to its pupils it offers very high quality advocacy. It is a busy set of chambers.‘
‘My go to chambers – great range and depth of counsel and very good training programmes.’
Clerking
‘Excellent and helpful clerks, led by the brilliant Paul Harris, one of the best head clerks on the circuit.’
London Bar > Court of Protection and community care Tier 3
1GC | Family Law has a well-respected practice that receives a steady flow of instructions from the Official Solicitor, NHS Trusts, family members and local authorities. The 'talented' team has expertise advising on cases concerning forced marriages and adults who lack capacity; Andrew Bagchi QC is regularly sought after for his experience in this area. Recent instructions include issues regarding capacity to consent to marriage and sexual relations, which is a core area of strength for the 'excellent' Louise MacLynn. Malcolm Chisholm ('a very safe pair of hands') is adept at advising on cases involving health and welfare issues, while Alev Giz's workload includes property-related matters. The set also has growing strength in advising on damages claims brought under the Human Rights Act arising from the unlawful deprivation of liberty.
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘A set with strength-in-depth.’
Clerking
‘Always willing to try to accommodate. Very knowledgeable about their barristers, so we get the right barrister for a particular case.’
‘The clerks provide a good and efficient service.‘
London Bar > Family (including divorce and financial remedy) Tier 3
1GC | Family Law is 'an excellent set, with strong counsel in the finance and children field'. Members are regularly instructed in cases involving offshore trusts, large-scale international businesses, and assets held in other jurisdictions. The set has notable strength in handling financial issues arising from cohabitation disputes and the dissolution of civil partnerships, as well as advising on financial provision for children. The 'tenacious' Penelope Clapham 'works tirelessly to achieve the best outcome for her clients. She never fails to impress with her straight-talking and perceptive approach'. The 'calm and measured' Joseph Moore and the 'talented' Annabel Barrons are new entrants to the table.Rising stars
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘1 Garden Court Chambers offers a variety of counsel at varying rates and qualification levels, providing sufficient choice for varying matters. In circumstances where our requested counsel is unavailable, the set endeavours to provide alternative members of counsel at a similar call and experience level. All clerks are conscious of costs and budgets and take a bespoke approach to their services.’
‘Quality representation at all levels.’
‘It has a breadth of knowledge and can offer superb advice, from international family law to complex children matters. I tend to use the set for those specific areas. The service provided is impeccable.‘
‘Counsel have a breadth of experience across various areas of family law, enabling clients to be represented by several members of chambers without disrupting continuity of representation. ‘
‘Very good strength in depth.‘
Clerking
‘David McDonald is a credit to the clerking world.’
London Bar > Crime
1GC | Family Law > Set Profile
The set: 1GC|Family Law is recognised nationally and internationally as a leading family law set, providing a highly skilled, comprehensive service to clients across the full spectrum of family law and related work. Expert advice and representation, together with a practical and common sense approach, results in members being instructed in the most complex and sensitive cases, as well as those involving issues of law of general importance. Both professional and lay clients appreciate the professionalism and approachability of the clerking team.
Types of work undertaken: Members of Chambers appear in courts at all levels, including, regularly, in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Private children law expertise includes all disputes over arrangements for children, surrogacy, adoption, declarations of parentage following assisted conception and issues in relation to legal parenthood in same sex relationships. All aspects of public law children work are handled with a particular reputation for undertaking cases involving the most complex legal and medical issues and increasingly, radicalisation cases. Work for local authorities includes applications for care and supervision orders, as well as adoption and judicial review. Public interest immunity cases, publicity and restraint of publicity cases form a regular part of Chambers’ practice. The family finance team undertakes matters ranging from big-money cases involving complex financial structures to modest value claims. Its work includes freezing injunctions to prevent dissipation of assets, cases involving foreign and offshore assets and complex trust arrangements, pre and post nuptial agreements and enforcement of orders. Court of Protection cases are an established part of Chambers’ expertise as are cases involving family privacy and autonomy, the right to life and modern families. Members regularly deal with urgent applications in all family law and related matters. Chambers was one of the first to establish a family mediation service and continues to focus on alternative dispute resolution, offering early neutral evaluation and arbitration. Many members sit as part-time judges. Chambers has a strong tradition for undertaking pro bono work.
International: With the increase in international families, much of Chambers’ work has an international element. Members are frequently instructed in cases involving foreign jurisdictions. Several members have gained experience as lawyers working overseas, particularly in North America and the Caribbean. International work includes disputes as to jurisdiction and forum, valuation and distribution of assets overseas and enforcement against foreign or off-shore trusts. Members deal regularly with cases of child abduction and other disputes relating to the international movement of children, including adoption, surrogacy and care proceedings. Chambers has been actively involved in considering the implications of ‘Brexit’ for family law and contributing to proposals for law reform in this area.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Senior Clerk | Paul Harris | clerks@1gc.com | |
Chambers Director | Marie-Christine Willis | willis@1gc.com | |
Joint Head of Chambers | EKANEY QC, Nkumbe (1990) | ||
Joint Head of Chambers | NORTON QC, Andrew (1992) | ||
Members of Chambers | PLATT QC, Eleanor F (1960) | ||
Members of Chambers | BALL QC, Alison (1972) | ||
Members of Chambers | BAZLEY QC, Janet (1980) | ||
Members of Chambers | GEEKIE QC, Charles (1985) | ||
Members of Chambers | BAGCHI QC, Andrew (1989) | ||
Members of Chambers | WILEY QC, Francesca (1996) | ||
Members of Chambers | FOTTRELL QC, Deirdre (2001) | ||
Members of Chambers | MOMTAZ QC, Sam (1995) | ||
Members of Chambers | GILLING QC, Denise (1992) | ||
Members of Chambers | STONE QC, Sally (1994) | ||
Members of Chambers | BRIGGS QC, Laura (2001) | ||
Members of Chambers | WILLBOURNE, Caroline (1970) | ||
Members of Chambers | SHENTON, Suzanne (1973) | ||
Members of Chambers | SZWED, Elizabeth (1974) | ||
Members of Chambers | HORROCKS, Peter (1977) | ||
Members of Chambers | BURLES, David (1984) | ||
Members of Chambers | WARNER, Pamela (1985) | ||
Members of Chambers | MCILWAIN, Sylvester (1985) | ||
Members of Chambers | PYLE, Susan (1985) | ||
Members of Chambers | STOCKER, John (1985) | ||
Members of Chambers | CRAWLEY, Gary (1988) | ||
Members of Chambers | DANIELS, Nicholas (1988) | ||
Members of Chambers | GILLMAN, Rachel (1988) | ||
Members of Chambers | GIZ, Alev (1988) | ||
Members of Chambers | LECOINTE, Elpha (1988) | ||
Members of Chambers | CHISHOLM, Malcolm (1989) | ||
Members of Chambers | LIEBRECHT, Michael (1989) | ||
Members of Chambers | MATHER, Kate (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | GEORGE, Susan (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | HEPPENSTALL, Claire (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | JENKINS, Catherine (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | SUGAR, Simon (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | KRISH, Doushka (1991) | ||
Members of Chambers | HURWORTH, Jillian (1993) | ||
Members of Chambers | KAVANAGH, Jennifer (1993) | ||
Members of Chambers | MOORE, Alison (1994) | ||
Members of Chambers | HUDSON, Emma (1995) | ||
Members of Chambers | FOSTER, Julien (1995) | ||
Members of Chambers | WHITTAM, Sam (1995) | ||
Members of Chambers | CHOUDHURY, Fareha (1995) | ||
Members of Chambers | WATSON, Duncan (1997) | ||
Members of Chambers | MCELEAVY, Professor Peter (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | HUGHES, Daisy (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | JAMES, Emily (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | SEGAL, Sharon (2000) | ||
Members of Chambers | JEFFERSON, Helen (2000) | ||
Members of Chambers | LEE, Jessica (2000) | ||
Members of Chambers | MITCHELL, Rebecca (2000) | ||
Members of Chambers | KABWERU-NAMULEMU. Karen (2001) | ||
Members of Chambers | MACLYNN, Louise (2001) | ||
Members of Chambers | RAHMAN, Tahmina (2001) | ||
Members of Chambers | PERRINS, Philip (2002) | ||
Members of Chambers | FLOOD, Edward (2002) | ||
Members of Chambers | FLETCHER, Matthew (2003) | ||
Members of Chambers | VERITY, Emily (2003) | ||
Members of Chambers | JONES, Richard (2003) | ||
Members of Chambers | LAMB, Henry (2004) | ||
Members of Chambers | MAGENNIS, Olivia (2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | HARTNETT, Elizabeth (2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | PROCTER, Alfred (2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | ASHWORTH, Steven (2006) | ||
Members of Chambers | PROLINGHEUER, Sophie (2006) | ||
Members of Chambers | COLE, Georgina (2007) | ||
Members of Chambers | HYLTON, Nasstassia (2007) | ||
Members of Chambers | MACLEOD, Elena (2007) | ||
Members of Chambers | CLAPHAM, Penelope (2007) | ||
Members of Chambers | KELLY, Gemma (2007) | ||
Members of Chambers | VICKERS, Craig (2008) | ||
Members of Chambers | DUNSEATH, Katherine (2008) | ||
Members of Chambers | SPRINZ, Lucy (2008) | ||
Members of Chambers | JONES, Eleri (2009) | ||
Members of Chambers | MOORE, Joseph (2009) | ||
Members of Chambers | BERNSTEIN, Jessica (2011) | ||
Members of Chambers | RUNDALL, Jack (2011) | ||
Members of Chambers | WOOLLEY, Oliver (2012) | ||
Members of Chambers | CAYOUN, Marlene (2012) | ||
Members of Chambers | PAISLEY, Patrick (2013) | ||
Members of Chambers | WILSON, Tom (2013) | ||
Members of Chambers | VENABLES, Andrew (2013) | ||
Members of Chambers | EATON, Luke (2015) | ||
Members of Chambers | ELSWORTH, Melissa (2015) | ||
Members of Chambers | MAXWELL, Lucy (2015) | ||
Members of Chambers | ANDREWS, Elisabeth (2016) | ||
Members of Chambers | BARRONS, Annabel (2016) | ||
Members of Chambers | LAVELLE, Anna (2016) | ||
Members of Chambers | DALY, Niamh (2018) | ||
Members of Chambers | BERTONI, Costanza (2018) | ||
Members of Chambers | VERROKEN-JONES, Louise (2018) | ||
Members of Chambers | BENNETT, Lucy (2019) | ||
Members of Chambers | HIBBERT, Beth (2020) |
Barrister Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Elisabeth Andrews | Elisabeth joined chambers in 2019 and is building a broad practice which… | View Profile |
![]() | Steven Ashworth | Steven specialises in family law in relation to children. He is regularly… | View Profile |
![]() | Andrew Bagchi | Andrew Bagchi QC specialises in complex cases involving all types of family… | View Profile |
![]() | Alison Ball | Alison specialises in complex public and private family law proceedings and also… | View Profile |
![]() | Annabel Barrons | Annabel is building a broad practice which reflects the range of chambers’… | View Profile |
![]() | Janet Bazley | Janet practices at the highest level in both children and financial cases… | View Profile |
![]() | Lucy Bennet | Lucy joined Chambers in September 2021 following the successful completion of pupillage… | View Profile |
![]() | Jessica Bernstein | Jessica is developing a broad practice across the full range of family… | View Profile |
![]() | Costanza Bertoni | Costanza joined chambers in September 2020 following the successful completion of pupillage… | View Profile |
![]() | Laura Briggs QC | Laura is a highly regarded practitioner, specialising in private law and public… | View Profile |
![]() | David Burles | David is a specialist in matrimonial finance, including financial remedy applications, trusts… | View Profile |
![]() | Marlene Cayoun | Marlene has a unique dual specialism in children law and large-scale public and private inquiries. She… | View Profile |
![]() | Malcolm Chisholm | Malcolm’s practice encompasses complex care proceedings and Court of Protection work, as… | View Profile |
![]() | Fareha Choudhury | Fareha is a very experienced and highly skilled family barrister covering both… | View Profile |
![]() | Penelope Clapham | Penelope specialises in family finance matters, both as an advocate and as… | View Profile |
![]() | Georgina Cole | Georgina completed her pupillage in Chambers and was trained by Sarah Morgan… | View Profile |
![]() | Gary Crawley | View Profile | |
![]() | Niamh Daly | Niamh joined Chambers in 2021 and is building a practice across the… | View Profile |
![]() | Nicholas Daniels | Nicholas practices exclusively in private family law and related work. He has… | View Profile |
![]() | Katherine Dunseath | Katherine is a leading junior in matters involving complex high net worth… | View Profile |
![]() | Luke Eaton | Luke practices in all areas of family law. He has a broad… | View Profile |
![]() | Nkumbe Ekaney | Nkumbe is Joint Head of Chambers at 1GC Family Law. He has… | View Profile |
![]() | Melissa Elsworth | Melissa joined 1GC Family Law in 2017 and is developing a broad practice… | View Profile |
![]() | Matthew Fletcher | Public law children: acting for local authorities, parents, children and relatives covering… | View Profile |
![]() | Edward Flood | Edward represents parties in care proceedings either as junior acting alone or… | View Profile |
![]() | Julien Foster | Julien practises across three main areas: public law, private law children cases… | View Profile |
![]() | Deirdre Fottrell | Deirdre Fottrell specialises in the law relating to children. She is also… | View Profile |
![]() | Charles Geekie | Charles’ practice centres on legal issues concerning children. He acts in both… | View Profile |
![]() | Susan George | Susan represents all parties including children, vulnerable adults, prospective adopters and local… | View Profile |
![]() | Denise Gilling | Denise is a Family Law practitioner specialising in the law relating to… | View Profile |
![]() | Rachel Gillman | Special family law practitioner. Areas of practice; financial remedies claims, claims between… | View Profile |
![]() | Alev Giz | Alev is a private and public child law specialist, regularly instructed in relocation cases (international and… | View Profile |
![]() | Elizabeth Hartnett | Elizabeth specialises and has extensive experience in family finance and private law… | View Profile |
![]() | Claire Heppenstall | Claire practises exclusively in private family and family related work. Her practice is… | View Profile |
![]() | Beth Hibbert | Beth joined Chambers in September 2021 after the completion of her pupillage… | View Profile |
![]() | Peter Horrocks | Peter appears and advises in private law residence/contact cases as well as… | View Profile |
![]() | Emma Hudson | Emma practices a broad range of Family Law. Much of Emma’s work comprises… | View Profile |
![]() | Daisy Hughes | Daisy specialises in family law as it relates to children. She represents… | View Profile |
![]() | Jillian Hurworth | Jill specialises in children work, covering public law proceedings, international movement of… | View Profile |
![]() | Nasstassia Hylton | Nasstassia’s practice covers all areas of family law including, family finance, private… | View Profile |
![]() | Emily James | Emily is a specialist family law leading junior who acts in a… | View Profile |
![]() | Helen Jefferson | Helen’s practice encompasses all areas of family law with a particular emphasis… | View Profile |
![]() | Catherine Jenkins | Catherine practices in childcare law with a particular emphasis on public law children… | View Profile |
![]() | Richard Jones | Richard’s practice covers the full range of serious children cases both in… | View Profile |
![]() | Eleri Jones | Eleri practises in both private children and family finance cases, including financial… | View Profile |
![]() | Karen Kabweru-Namulemu | Karen specialises in family law, with over 18 years’ experience in this… | View Profile |
![]() | Jennifer Kavanagh | Jeni represents husbands, wives and civil partners in increasingly complex and high-value cases.… | View Profile |
![]() | Gemma Kelly | Gemma is a specialist Children practitioner. She has a flourishing care and… | View Profile |
![]() | Doushka Krish | Doushka specialises in cases concerning children. She acts in both private law… | View Profile |
![]() | Henry Lamb | Henry is a family law specialist with particular expertise in cases with… | View Profile |
![]() | Anna Lavelle | Anna joined chambers in September 2018 after the successful completion of her… | View Profile |
![]() | Elpha LeCointe | Elpha specialises in all aspects of Children law, often representing parents and children,… | View Profile |
![]() | Jessica Lee | Jessica has a wealth of experience in all areas of family law:… | View Profile |
![]() | Michael Liebrecht | Michael specialises in cases concerning children, principally in Public Law, but he… | View Profile |
![]() | Elena MacLeod | Barrister specialising in all aspects of family law including public and private… | View Profile |
![]() | Louise MacLynn | Louise has extensive experience within the public law arena, acting for local… | View Profile |
![]() | Olivia Magennis | Olivia specialises exclusively in the law as it relates to children. Within… | View Profile |
![]() | Kate Mather | Kate specialises in all areas of Family Law and Court of Protection… | View Profile |
![]() | Lucy Maxwell | Lucy practices in all areas of Family Law and has experience being instructed… | View Profile |
![]() | Sylvester McIlwain | Sylvester has had a varied practice, having initially practiced in family, criminal… | View Profile |
![]() | Rebecca Mitchell | Rebecca specialises in family law and has done so throughout her career.… | View Profile |
![]() | Sam Momtaz | Sam acts in all aspects of the law relating to children. In… | View Profile |
![]() | Alison Moore | Alison’s practice covers all legal issues concerning children and welfare decisions for… | View Profile |
![]() | Joseph Moore | Joseph’s practice covers a wide range of family law including: private children,… | View Profile |
![]() | Andrew Norton | Andrew is Joint Head of Chambers at 1GC Family Law. He specialises… | View Profile |
![]() | Patrick Paisley | Patrick has a full-service family law practice across the main areas of… | View Profile |
![]() | Philip Perrins | Philip’s main area of expertise is acting for spouses or other related… | View Profile |
![]() | Eleanor Platt | Eleanor specialises in Family Law with particular reference to public law proceedings,… | View Profile |
![]() | Alfred Procter | Alfred practises as a barrister exclusively in Family Law. His expertise at… | View Profile |
![]() | Sophie Prolingheuer | Broad experience across child protection matters and all areas of work arising… | View Profile |
![]() | Susan Pyle | Susan has a range of skills and knowledge covering private and public… | View Profile |
![]() | Jack Rundall | Jack specialises in financial remedies, including applications under Schedule 1 of the… | View Profile |
![]() | Sharon Segal | Sharon specialises in all aspects of family law relating to children whether… | View Profile |
![]() | Suzanne Shenton | View Profile | |
![]() | Lucy Sprinz | Lucy specialises exclusively in children law, in the public and private law… | View Profile |
![]() | John Stocker | Practises in financial remedies work (married and unmarried couples – divorce, CA… | View Profile |
![]() | Sally Stone | Sally practices in all aspects of children law. She acts in private law… | View Profile |
![]() | Simon Sugar | Simon practices exclusively in family law; predominantly in ancillary relief but also… | View Profile |
![]() | Elizabeth Szwed | View Profile | |
![]() | Andrew Venables | Andrew undertakes a mix of private client work, from matrimonial finance to… | View Profile |
![]() | Emily Verity | Called in 2003, Emily has a reputation for keen attention to detail,… | View Profile |
![]() | Louise Verroken-Jones | Louise is interested in the full spectrum of Chambers’ family law expertise,… | View Profile |
![]() | Craig Vickers | Craig specialises in financial remedies, including applications pursuant to Schedule 1 of… | View Profile |
![]() | Pamela Warner | Pamela is a specialist family practitioner. Her practice primarily focuses on public… | View Profile |
![]() | Duncan Watson | Duncan is a specialist in family finances, including financial remedies on divorce,… | View Profile |
![]() | Francesca Wiley | Francesca practises at the highest level in both private and public law… | View Profile |
![]() | Caroline Willbourne | Caroline specialises in financial remedy work, advising and representing both husbands and… | View Profile |
![]() | Tom Wilson | Tom’s practice encompasses all areas of the law relating to children, including… | View Profile |
![]() | Oliver Woolley | Oliver became a tenant of chambers in 2014 following successful completion of… | View Profile |