With ‘a fantastic set of family law barristers’, 1GC | Family Law boasts expertise in representing ultra-high-net-worth individuals, as well as less resource-heavy cases. Penelope Clapham, whose ‘advocacy is laser sharp’, has significant experience in matrimonial finance matters surrounding businesses, trusts, and farms. ‘A master of complex financial matters’, Philip Perrins is well-equipped to handle cases with international elements, such as disputed divorce jurisdiction and marital status cases. Claire Heppenstall is lauded as ‘an invaluable asset in family law proceedings’, especially those concerning the financial provision for children in Schedule 1 cases. David Burles, ‘an exceptionally persuasive and strategic advocate’, has a strong grounding in TOLATA and inheritance-related matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Claire practises exclusively in private family and family related work. Her practice is largely split between Private Children Law and Financial Remedies work. She also has particular expertise in dealing with Schedule 1 claims.
Dealing with both children and money work allows her to assist the private client across most areas of dispute that arise during difficult family breakdowns in a highly effective and pragmatic but also robust way. She is frequently instructed to appear against Leading Counsel.
In the area of Private Children Law, she has a particular interest and a huge amount of expertise in cases involving relocation, both external and internal. She also has extensive experience of being instructed in highly acrimonious and long-running intractable child arrangement disputes, and is often instructed in cases involving allegations of alienating behaviours and where expert assessment has been required.
In Financial Remedies work, she is often instructed in difficult cases involving issues of non-disclosure or where careful analysis of family businesses and trust interests is required.
Claire has considerable experience of dealing with Schedule 1 applications and is regularly instructed in this type of claim.
Claire is regularly instructed as a pFDR evaluator and facilitates a high settlement rate.
Claire is also dual qualified as an Arbitrator to deal with disputes under both the IFLA Finance and Children schemes and is often instructed on a dual basis by the same family in order that all issues can be resolved by one arbitrator often in a conjoined final hearing.
Career
Year of Call: 1990, Inner Temple
Bar Pro Bono Unit Panel Reviewer
MCIArb (Family Finance)
MCIArb (Children)
Recorder on the South Eastern Circuit to sit in Family matters (2022) and Financial Remedies (2024).
Publications:
Co-author of DIY Divorce & Separation: The Expert Guide to Representing Yourself (Jordan Publishing),
Contributor to ‘Applications under Schedule 1 to the Children Act 1989’ published by Family Law
Memberships
FLBA
The Association of Lawyers for Children
Education
University College London: LLB (Hons) 1987
University College London: LLM (Merit) 1988
Content supplied by 1GC | Family Law
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Excellent. Paul Harris and his team provide exceptional service to their members, solicitors and lay clients. Paul in particular is a joy to work with and works extremely hard to accommodate the needs of solicitors and clients.'
- 'It is the best clerking operation in the business. Paul Harris is a dynamo of energy, David McDonald is Mr. Reliable, and the rest of the clerks team regularly solve the insolvable. A solicitor's dream.'
- 'Tommy Eyles is excellent. He will do whatever he can to help and is a great communicator. You feel you are in safe hands when you know your case is being looked after by Tommy and that he will get things done.'
- '1GC's clerking team are very accommodating and work hard to take care of everyone's needs. Their child arbitration and pFDR set up is particularly well run - Harry Elvin and Tommy Eyles always make sure things are run smoothly.'
- 'Charlie Mills is a very friendly and approachable clerk, always happy to discuss diaries and costs to fit in with the case at hand.'
- 'They listen to you! Always helpful whatever the problem. Paul Harris, David McDonald and Sam Ditchman will go out of their way find a solution.'
- 'Sam Ditchman, David McDonald and Paul Harris are top class.'
- 'Clerks are approachable, efficient, and a pleasure to deal with. David McDonald deserves particular recognition for providing excellent service and going out of his way to help.'