Profile
Position
Penny specialises in family finance matters, both as an advocate and as a qualified Arbitrator.
She regularly accepts instructions on a wide array of financial disputes both between married and unmarried couples, in an international context including under Part III of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, and in respect of children under Schedule 1 of the Child Act 1989. Penny is equally comfortable representing vulnerable clients in which there is a concurrent Court of Protection issue.
Penny’s international practice extends outside this jurisdiction and she has advised and represented clients in Jersey, where she maintains a particular interest.
Many of Penny’s cases involve high net worth claims or celebrity clients where both skill and discretion are required. Her work regularly involves complex business structures, trusts, farming disputes, offshore assets and international property. She appears at all Court levels and against opponents often many years senior to her (including KC’s), both with and without a leader.
Career
Year of Call: 2007, Inner Temple.
Qualified Arbitrator (Family Financial Scheme): 2021
Publications:
Guide to the 2007 Hague Maintenance Convention (Thomson Reuters- Practical Family Law)- of renewed importance to international child maintenance disputes following Brexit.
Co-author of ‘A Guide to Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989’ and "DIY Divorce & Separation: The Expert Guide to Representing Yourself"
Memberships
Education
MA (Hons) Jurisprudence, Oxford University
BVC Inns of Court School of Law
Inner Temple prize winner: Duke of Edinburgh Scholarship, Streuben Prize, Exhibition
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.'