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
Profile
Position
Primarily financial remedy proceedings, with a particular emphasis on the treatment of business assets. Notable Cases: AP -v- ALP [2018] EWHC 2758 (Fam); In the matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Cases A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) [2015] EWHC 2602 (Fam).
Career
Called 2007; Middle Temple. Previously worked at Arthur Andersen, Deloitte and Ernst & Young as a corporate tax adviser. Qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2003.
Memberships
FLBA; Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (CICAEW).
Education
Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University (MA Hons Oxon LLM); University College London, Chartered Accountant (ACA).
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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.'