Meet the clerks

1 Hare Court Clerks

1 Hare Court

London, England
020 7797 7070
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Deals

BC v BC [2025] EWFC 236

Deborah Bangay KC and Henry Pritchard acted for the husband and wife respectively in BC v BC [2025] EWFC 236 in which Peel J clarified the the extent to which parties can refer to what happened at a private FDR in subsequent litigation.

Helliwell v Entwistle [2025] EWCA Civ 1055

Deborah Bangay KC and Lydia Newman-Saville, instructed by Michael Chapman and Grace Matthews of JMW Solicitors LLP, successfully acted for the husband in the Court of Appeal in setting aside a pre-nuptial agreement (PNA). Access judgment here.

F v M [2025] EWFC 225

Calum Smith, instructed by Emma Rothstein of Pearson Hards Solicitors acted for the mother in F v M [2025] EWFC 225.  Access judgment here.

AB v CD v EF (Beneficial Interest Application) [2025] EWFC 191 (B)

Calum Smith, instructed by DMH Stallard LLP, acted for the successful husband in AB v CD v EF (Beneficial Interest Application) [2025] EWFC 191 (B), in which HHJ Farquar described the wife as “the most contemptuous and dismissive former partner” he had encountered in 20 years of being a judge. Access judgment here.

PN v SA [2025] EWFC 141

Tim Bishop KC, Richard Sear KC and Ben Wooldridge acted for the wife in this comprehensive victory. Cobb J made the third largest award in English legal history. His judgment is a very valuable addition to the jurisprudence relating to agreements. Access judgment here.

BM v MB & Ors (Financial Provision: Identification of Marital Assets/Avoidance of Disposition Order) [2025] EWFC 129

Nicholas Wilkinson and Calum Smith, instructed by Beverley Morris of HCR Law, successfully represented the husband in BM v MB & Ors (Financial Provision: Identification of Marital Assets/Avoidance of Disposition Order) [2025] EWFC 129. Access judgment here.

Standish v Standish

The Supreme Court has handed down judgment in the landmark decision of Standish: the most important decision of the last decade and the first opportunity for the highest court to address the sharing principle since Miller; McFarlane in 2006.

In a unanimous decision, the Justices dismissed the appellant wife’s appeal and upheld the outcome imposed by the Court of Appeal.

1 Hare Court is proud that four of our members appeared before the Supreme Court. The respondent husband was represented by Tim Bishop KC, Rebecca Bailey-Harris and Tom Harvey. Richard Sear KC, led by Lord Faulks KC, represented the appellant wife.  Download judgment here.

THR v WAT [2025] EWHC 1125 (Fam)

1 Hare Court acted on both sides of the High Court decision of THR v WAT [2025] EWHC 1125 (Fam). Nicholas Yates KC and Christian Kenny, instructed by Vardags, represented the applicant wife. Justin Warshaw KC and Joshua Viney, instructed by Mishcon de Reya LLP, represented the respondent husband.  You can find the judgment here.

VTY v GDB [2025] EWFC 110 (B)

In VTY v GDB, Madhavi Kabra (instructed by Sears Tooth) successfully represented the applicant wife, who was awarded 100% of the properties and pension in this jurisdiction.  You can read the judgment here.

YY v RD [2025] CICA Civ 4

The President of the Court of Appeal for the Cayman Islands has handed down judgment in the matter of YY v RD [2025] CICA Civ 4.

Phillip Blatchly, instructed by James Kennedy and Lynne McDonagh of KSG Attorneys-at-Law, represented the successful appellant.  Access judgment here.

Alvina Collardeau v Michael Fuchs and LJ Hooker Projects FZ-LLC [2025] EWFC 36

On 19 February 2025, Mr Justice Poole handed down his judgment in the latest round of litigation between Mrs Collardeau and Mr Fuchs. Justin Warshaw KC represented the successful applicant, Alvina Collardeau, instructed by Caroline Holley and Stephanie Liddell of Farrer & Co.   Access judgment here.

Organigram

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Clerks Services

Chambers prides itself on the professionalism, responsiveness, approachability and above all hard-working clerks team led and inspired by Steve McCrone (probably one of the best Family Law Senior Clerks). He is ably assisted by Joint First Junior Clerks Michael Lay and Daniel Barnett who between them have over 50 years’ experience in Chambers. Ryan Titmarsh, and Charlie Parish provide invaluable support and together are a clerking team at the top of their game.

We continue to be instructed on matters in or destined for the Supreme Court and are instructed by firms recognised in both the HNW and UK guides as top tier.

We have a comprehensive outreach programme incorporating lectures, seminars, case updates and excellent events including our flagship event, the annual 1HC Seminar (which many rightly say is the highlight of the Family Law Events calendar).

Alongside the seminars, members of Chambers have continued to give lectures to law firms and at legal conferences (both in England and abroad), and provided professional support when needed, along with regular social events with our instructing solicitors and industry colleagues. For example, in the last calendar year our barristers have spoken at the annual At A Glance Conference organised by Class Legal, the Jersey Law Conference organised by Corbett Le Quesne and later this Spring, one of our barristers, Lily Mottahedan, will be speaking at the Expatriate Law International Family Law Conference in Abu Dhabi alongside a stellar line-up.

We will hold and or speak at a number of ADR events this year regarding the benefits of ADR.  As usual, we will attend and speak at the annual Resolution ADR conference.

Testimonials

Karin Walker, Partner, KGW Family Law

The 1 Hare Court clerking team has successfully managed my instruction of Counsel throughout my career. Steve McCrone – at the helm for now over 35 years – has provided the sort of ‘light but firm’ management style which has enable his team to develop and flourish.

Approachable and efficient – the team are all very cognisant of the pressures faced by their instructing solicitors and take every step to make the alignment between solicitor and Counsel as smooth as possible. Kathryn on front of house is a delight and Harriette definitely gives the boys a run for their money. I couldn’t praise them all highly enough’.

Suzanne Todd , Partner, Withers Worldwide LLP

The team is super responsive – understands what we need almost even before we explain – totally understands the demands of the clients we are working with and are very much part of the ‘team’ supporting the client AND importantly us the solicitors at the coal face.

Treats every member of the team with respect no matter what their level.

Lois Langton, Partner, Head of Family, Howard Kennedy LLP

The team at 1 Hare Court is the Champions League elite of the clerking world. Individually they are brilliant to deal with and collectively they are the best at what they do. They make it their job to know their instructing solicitors and what they need as well as taking an interest in the cases and the issues. They don’t just go the extra mile; it’s a full marathon. They are responsive, bend
over backwards to help, and are super knowledgeable in terms of contacts and
processes. There is no question that the 1 Hare Court clerks play a huge role in the loyalty that I and many others have to chambers. Other clerking teams are great. 1 Hare Court’s clerks are exceptional.

William Massey, Head of Family, Farrer & Co.

The clerking team at 1 Hare Court, led by the hugely experienced Steve McCrone, is outstanding. They are super-responsive, highly efficient, always approachable and go out of their way to make solicitors’ experiences of running cases and collaborating with Counsel so much easier. Unlike some clerking teams they find solutions rather than presenting insurmountable
objects. They are also responsible for organising a number of events and educational seminars for solicitors, including their annual financial remedies seminar, which is the most popular and best attended educational event of the year in the family law world.

Awards and Recognition

Nigel Dyer KC L500 Bar Awards 2025 - Family Silk of the Year

L500 Bar Awards 2025 - Family Silk of the Year - Nigel Dyer KC

Steve McCrone L500 Bar Awards 2025 - Senior Clerk of the Year

500 Bar Awards 2025 - Senior Clerk of the Year - Steve McCrone

L500 Family Set of the Year 2025 - Shortlist

Nominated for L500 Bar Awards 2025 - Family Set of the Year

Whitepapers and Articles

Joshua Viney contributes to Cohabitation Law and Practice Handbook

We’re delighted to share that our barrister, Josh Viney, is a contributing author to the newly published Cohabitation Law and Practice Handbook by Resolution.

This comprehensive and timely handbook is designed to support practitioners working within the evolving field of cohabitation law – a growing area of family justice that now accounts for an increasing proportion of domestic and financial disputes.

The helpful guide brings together a wealth of knowledge from leading experts, with practical commentary, legal analysis and strategic insights intended for solicitors, barristers and judges alike.

Josh’s contribution reflects his extensive experience in complex financial remedy cases, particularly in relation to Schedule 1 Children Act claims. His work in the handbook offers both clarity and strategic direction, providing fellow practitioners with a toolkit for handling the nuances of non-marital family disputes involving children.

The handbook has been widely welcomed across the legal community for its relevance, authority and accessibility. Whether acting for clients in contentious property disputes or advising on preventative arrangements such as cohabitation agreements, this resource is a valuable addition to any family law library.

You can find out more and get your copy here

Calum Smith’s article on Standish in the Financial Remedies Journal

Calum Smith‘s thought-provoking article on the Supreme Court’s decision in Standish v Standish [2025] UKSC 26 has been published on the Financial Remedies Journal website.

The article, titled ‘Final Reflections on Standish: Was It All Worthwhile?’ examines, among other things, whether matrimonialised assets should always be divided equally or if consideration of the source of an asset remains relevant.

Access Calum’s article here.

Josh Viney discusses the approach of the Family Court to musicians’ proprietary interests

The latest edition of the Financial Remedies Journal has been published and it includes ‘The Approach of the Family Court to Musicians’ Proprietary Interests’ – an article written by Joshua Viney and Dom Christophers. The piece analyses how the Family Court approaches the assets and income generated by musicians and the three leading cases on the topic – McCartney v Mills McCartney [2008] EWHC 401 (Fam), CB v KB [2019] EWFC 78 and ED v OF [2024] EWFC 297.

You can read the article here.