Back to rankings
England - London Bar
2

Family: divorce and financial remedy

Christopher Wagstaffe KC

Christopher Wagstaffe KC

More information
29 Bedford Row Chambers logo

29 Bedford Row Chambers

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
Phone
020 7404 1044
Email
[email protected]
Profile
29br.co.uk

Profile

Position

Family Law especially matrimonial finance, with a particular emphasis on cases featuring trust and international elements. Has been involved in litigation in Gibraltar, Hong Kong, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Cases include: Giggs v Giggs [2017] EWHC 822; Chai v Peng [2017] EWHC 792; Hamilton v Hamilton [2013] EWCA Civ 13; Masa v Holliday [2012] EWCA Civ 1268; Prest v Prest [2011] EWHC 2956 (Fam); Vaughan v Vaughan [2010] EWCA Civ 349; B v R [2010] 1 FLR 563; Hashem v Shayif & Anor [2008] EWHC 2380 (Fam); A v A & St. George Trustees Limited (No 2) [2007] EWHC 1810 (Fam); A v A & St George Trustees Limited [2007] 2 FLR 467, FD; Prazic v Prazic [2006] 2 FLR 1128, CA; Charalambous v Charalambous [2004] 2 FLR 1093.

Career

Called 1992, Inner Temple. Silk 2011.

Memberships

Member of the IAFL; FLBA International Committee with particular responsibility for trust issues. FLBA & South East Circuit.

Education

Glossop School, Derbyshire; Essex University (LLB (Hons)).

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.'
L500 | 29 Bedford Row Chambers > Family: divorce and financial remedy > London Bar | Legal 500 law firm profiles