1 King’s Bench Walk boasts ‘phenomenal depth and strength across the board for both money and children and is unique in that regard’. ‘A leading light of the financial remedy Bar,’ Philip Marshall KC is a key silk at the set who is sought after for his notable expertise in finance matters with an international element, and he is also active in the drafting of nuptial agreements. Lauded as ’the best cross-examiner at the family bar‘, Charles Howard KC represents ultra-high-net-worth and high-profile clients from the business, sport, and media industries. Joint head of chambers Christopher Pocock KC ’is one of the leading silks in matrimonial finance‘ and is highly experienced in proceedings surrounding corporate and business assets, trusts, and asset-holding structures. Among the set’s juniors, the ’supremely calm’ Jennifer Palmer is highly experienced in handling maters surrounding high-value assets, and Peter Newman ‘is the best junior for complicated financial matters’. Complex corporate and tax elements are a key feature of Richard Castle‘s practice; he is lauded as ’the best junior barrister doing financial remedy proceedings‘. ’Star of the family law world‘ Katherine Kelsey MCIArb is a key player in both the children and finance arenas. Mark Betts was appointed senior clerk in March 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Position
Barrister specialising in dealing with high net-worth financial disputes, both following divorce and under Schedule I of the Children Act, disputes often involve trust, insolvency and contractual issues, areas of law that Charles practised in as a junior. As a family law specialist his work covers almost all areas of family law, including, for instance, Inheritance Act/Probate disputes, constructive trust issues, and professional negligence in relation to family law as well as complex private law disputes including cases involving surrogacy and conception by known sperm donors.
Career
Qualified 1975; KC 1999
Languages
French.
Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
Education
St John College, Cambridge (MA History); St Antony’s College, Oxford)
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Chris Young is very responsive and always goes the extra mile.'
- 'Mark Betts is about as good as it gets. A superb appointment as senior clerk and he knows the family division better than anyone. All the clerks know their stuff inside out.'
- 'The clerks are very good and the elevation of Mark Betts to head clerk is very well deserved.'
- 'Mark Betts, just promoted to senior clerk, knows it all and is one of the most effective clerks out there.'
- 'Mark Betts is phenomenal. He is extremely kind and helpful, and implicitly understands what solicitors need from his chambers. Mark is always on hand to help out with urgent issues and you know you will be treated well when you are dealing with him and his team.'
- 'Mark Betts is an excellent senior clerk. Nicola Cade is always extremely helpful.'
- 'The clerks are all fantastic and there is no weak link whatsoever. Chris Young and Mercy Fisher are both incredibly helpful.'
- 'Nicola Cade is very impressive. All of the senior and junior clerks at this set are really good, approachable and helpful.'