4PB

Private Children Law; Public Children Law; Finance; International Children Law; Non-court dispute resolution

Overview

Joint Head of Chambers of 4PB, the leading Family Law barristers Chambers in the UK.  Family law specialist advocate and Arbitrator, recognised as leading Silk in both, Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. Shortlisted as Silk of the Year, Legal 500, 2019, 2021 and 2022 and, Barrister of the Year CityWealth Magic Circle Awards 2025, the only family barrister to be nominated.

As a leading family KC with expertise in all aspects of financial, international and private law family cases, Charles is regularly instructed in international family disputes for ultra high net worth individuals and often provides expert advice in foreign divorce matters particularly concerning the UAE and Middle East. Charles has a reputation for dealing with the most complex cases involving financial disputes and trusts, also cases arising out of same sex/modern families disputes. As one of the few recognised leading family UK barristers in both matrimonial finance and children work, Charles is often instructed to represent high profile clients in all issues arising out of their separation. He is qualified to receive instructions directly from overseas lawyers and lead teams in multi-jurisdictional cases.

Charles has a significant ADR practice. As an Arbitrator, a private FDR judge and early neutral evaluator in both finance and children cases, Charles offers the full spectrum for out of court solutions to complex family disputes.

Charles is a member of the Family Law Bar Association and was a National Committee member from 2004-2014 and an elected member of the Bar Council for 10 years. He was appointed to the International Committee of the Bar of England and Wales (2022) and is the Vice Chair. Charles is one of two KC’s appointed by the President of the Family Division to the Transparency Implementation Group (TIG).

He has previously lectured at Kingston University and regularly lectures domestically including to Resolution and at the Judicial College (the training college of UK family judges).  Internationally, Charles has lectured widely, including at the South African National Family Conference, in Dublin to the Irish Bar, and in the Cayman Islands, Jersey, Abu Dhabi, Malta and Chamonix.  Charles writes thought leader articles in leading journals and publications and is often ask to provide comment to the media. He is a lead author of several chapters in Rayden and Jackson, Relationship Breakdown, Finance and Children (Butterworths LexisNexis).

A leading Silk in finance, children and international law, advice and advocacy in the most complex cases.  In his down time he is a marathon runner.

Awards

 Barrister of the Year – Citywealth Magic Circle Awards 2025 – Runner-Up

Appointments

Elected member of the Bar Council of England and Wales 2002 – 2012 Appointed to the President of the Family Division’s, Transparency Implementation Committee “2021 – “ Appointed member and Vice Chair of the International Committee of the Bar Council “2022 – “ Appointed Fellow of the IAFL

Professional Memberships Fellow of the International Association of Family Lawyers (IAFL) Commonwealth Lawyer Association Family Law Bar Association Association of Lawyers for Children South Eastern Circuit Middle Temple

Education & Qualifications

Arbitrator (MCIArb) LLB (Hons) Blackstone Scholar Middle Temple

All sports, wine and food, family.