29 Bedford Row Chambers is ‘one of the leading chambers in matrimonial finance’, with its members being regularly sought after for cases involving civil partnerships, cohabitation matters, and Schedule 1 proceedings.’Excellent in court’ and ‘all over the detail’, Jonathan Southgate KC is active in complex and ultra-high-net-worth matrimonial finance cases. Alexis Campbell KC ’demonstrates exceptional analytical skills‘ in international disputes concerning offshore trusts and third party assets. Christopher Wagstaffe KC is a go-to silk for issues surrounding trusts and companies; he is ’able to explain simply but powerfully the most complicated factual matrix and the intricacies and nuances of the law‘. Sally Max practices exclusively in finance matters, and she is notably strong in cases surrounding complicated asset structures, trusts overseas, and pension-related issues, while Helen Williams is a ’go-to for cases with complex business structures‘. Sassa-Ann Amaouche KC was elevated to silk in the 2025 round and she is highly experienced in the area of non-disclosure.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Position
Alexis is joint Head of Chambers and a specialist in HNW matrimonial finance (children and spouses). She is particularly well-regarded for pragmatic negotiation and where that fails, unflinching litigation.
Notable cases include Re C (A Child) (Financial Provision) [2024] EWFC 115; DH v RH (No.4) (Costs) [2024] EWFC 114; DH v RH [2024] EWFC 79; DH v RH [2023] EWFC 210; Horohoe v Horohoe [2020] EWFC 102; Re Z (Schedule 1) X v Y [2020] EWFC 80; Villiers v Villiers [2020] UK.SC 30; Re V [2016] EWHC 668; JL v SL (No 1, 2 &3) [2014/2015] EWHC 3658; AS v JS &Others [2013] EWHC 1699 (Fam); Sharma v Sharma [2012] EWHC 2529 (Fam); Laing v Laing [2007] 2 FLR 199; Martin-Dye v Martin-Dye [2006] 2 FLR901.
Career
Leeds University(LLB Hon). Called to the Bar 1990. Recorder 2010 (Crime I Family (public and private law). Silk 2017. IFLA Arbitrator 2018.
Memberships
FLBA; IAFL (Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers).
Education
Leeds University (LLB Hon); Bar School (1990).
Content supplied by 29 Bedford Row Chambers
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Julie Holcombe and Ben Cross are excellent, driving the clerks' room forwards.'
- 'Very supportive clerks. James Shortall is one of the two best known and influential clerks at the London family bar. Julie Holcombe is very helpful to solicitors.'
- 'James Shortall is brilliant.'
- 'Julie Holcombe, Ben Cross and James Shortall offer a Rolls Royce service and nothing is too much trouble for them. They always go the extra mile in ensuring your first choice of counsel is available and work miracles juggling the diary on a daily basis.'
- 'James Shortall very ably leads an excellent team of clerks, who are very attentive and helpful.'
- 'Excellent, helpful, personable. Julie Holcombe is always on hand to assist and find a way forward for the benefit of the client.'
- 'The clerking team, and especially Jamie Critchell, are fantastic. Always ready to help and to offer flexibility.'
- 'James Shortall runs a fantastic set of clerks brilliantly. They are all a delight. They answer the phone in a friendly, professional manner. No problem is too big. They answer emails quickly and help you resolve your query.'