With ‘a well-deserved reputation for excellence’, Coram Chambers is home to Michael Horton KC, who is highly experienced in TOLATA cases, as well as proceedings featuring international elements; he ‘is especially skilled when it comes to addressing difficult or novel issues of law’. Of recent note, Horton KC represented a wife in financial remedy proceedings before the Court of Appeal of the Cayman Islands regarding reconsideration of a 2006 decision around a maintenance order. Among the set’s juniors, Greg Williams is of note for his ‘fastidious with his attention to detail’ and particular expertise in intervener cases surrounding TOLATA, inheritance-based, or Schedule 1 cases. Alexander Laing appeared in The Lord Chancellor v 79 Divorced Couples - an application by the government to the family court to confirm that 79 divorces were valid after administrative errors on the part of HMCTS led to divorce applications being granted a day early.
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Profile
Work Department
Adult & Social Care; Children; Family Finance; International; Human Rights
Position
Alex accepts instructions in all areas of family law. He has a broad practice, focusing on children law (public and private), financial remedies and domestic violence, and represents local authorities, guardians, mothers and fathers. He has recently completed a 6-day fact-finding hearing in to decades of alleged sexual abuse.
He is a contributor on children and financial remedy law to Family Law and Family Law Week, has a joint column for Family Law online and is a case summarizer for Family Law Week. For a full list of his publications, see ‘Publications’ tab above.
Career
Alex studied history and modern languages at Trinity College Dublin where he was award the Gold Medal by the University Board (for receiving a First in all papers, essays and dissertation). He completed the GDL and the BPTC at the City Law School, where he won the Everard Van Heyden prize.
Before coming to the Bar, Alex worked for the United Nations in El Salvador. He worked with gang-related charities and investigated corruption in the justice system.
Languages
Spanish; Italian (basic)
Memberships
FLBA; Resolution (affiliate member); Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn
Education
Called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn (top student)The City Law School, BPTC (Outstanding)
Universidad para la Paz, Costa Rica, M.A.-level certificate, Transitions to Democracy (Distinction)
The City Law School, GDL (Distinction)
Trinity College Dublin, B.A. (Mod.) European Studies (Gold Medal; First Class Honours, with Distinction)
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks and particularly Harry Butcher are fantastic. They respond quickly and will bend over backwards to accommodate requests. They understand the pressure solicitors can be under and make matters as easy and as smooth as possible.'
- 'Sean Gentleman is an excellent clerk and one of the best at the family bar.'
- 'Senior clerk Sean Gentleman is excellent, but all of the clerks are very personable and accommodating.'
- 'The clerks are efficient and friendly, with a commercial approach to fees. Harry Butcher is the first choices for liaison, being both calm and competent.'
- 'Harry Butcher and Sean Gentleman are a pleasure to deal with, always.'
- 'Sean Gentleman's move to Coram has been brilliant, leading a very capable team of juniors. Ruben Collings is one to watch, alongside Joe Bernard, who continue to go above and beyond to make instructing their barristers as seamless and easy as possible.'
- 'Harry Butcher, Joe Bernard and Ruben Collins are all a delight to work with, as is the senior clerk, Sean Gentleman. They are friendly and highly efficient and the service cannot be faulted. Nothing is too much trouble; they will all go the extra mile to accommodate. Emails are always responded to very promptly.'
- 'The clerking team is efficient, approachable, and responsive, ensuring a smooth experience from instruction through to conclusion. Harry Butcher in particular is excellent, he will move mountains to make things work for our clients. Overall, the chambers provides a consistently high standard of service and is a go-to set for family finance matters.'