4PB garners praise for being ‘the best set for children law specialists’. The team is very highly regarded for its expertise in handling a wide spectrum of private, public, and international children law matters. The set is home to Barbara Mills KC, who was elected Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales 2025 in January 2025, and has extensive experience in handling complex cases involving allegations of serious injuries and parental alienation; she sits as joint head of chambers with Charles Hale KC, ‘a true star of the profession’. The ’formidable’ Jo Delahunty KC is ‘a force of nature’, with an excellent track record in handling complex cases involving the deaths of children, allegations of serious injuries and fabricated or induced illnesses, to name a few areas of instruction. Among the juniors, the ’robust’ Justine Johnson is regularly instructed in proceeding concerning applications to remove children from the jurisdiction, and the ‘pragmatic’ Sally Bradley acts on complex cases concerning adoption, relocation, and alleged physical, sexual and emotional abuse. In recent developments, Jacqueline Renton KC was elevated to silk in March 2025, and Bibi Badejo and Imogen Mellor joined the team in June 2025. Alex Verdan KC joined the employed Bar with partnership at Stewarts Law LLP, where he leads the firm’s child law team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Work Department
Private Children Law; Public Children Law; Finance; International Children Law; Non-court dispute resolution
Position
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.
Publications/Training
Lead author in Rayden and Jackson: Relationship Breakdown, Finance and Children. Regular lecturer domestically and internationally including at the Judicial College training English Judges. Regular contributor, thought leader and commentator on practice and policy in family justice.
Career
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
Memberships
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
Education & Qualifications
- Arbitrator (MCIArb)
- LLB (Hons)
- Blackstone Scholar
- Middle Temple
Content supplied by 4PB
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The service in the clerk's room is first rate. Michael Reeves operates a tight ship.'
- 'Michael Reeves is the most superb of clerks. He knows what his solicitors need and always works hard to ensure that the clients needs are met. Paul Hennessey is friendly, efficient and really excellent. Both are ably supported by Kenny Martin, Jamie Byrne, and Denise Fallon.'
- 'Paul Hennessy is superb.'
- 'The 4PB clerks go above and beyond to provide an excellent service.'
- '4PB is a standout chambers in the field of family law.'
- 'Outstanding children set, with a really fantastic cross-section of knowledgeable and top-class barristers.'
- 'A brilliant chambers with a particular strength in children work.'
- 'Very strong set.'