4PB, ‘an immaculate set with strength in both numbers and depth of talent that is largely unrivalled in the family law community’, is home to joint head of chambers Charles Hale KC; he is well-equipped to handle both domestic and international matrimonial finance proceedings for high-net-worth families. Hale KC is also commended for being able to ‘genuinely perform strongly in both children and financial remedies work’. Judith Murray KC ’grapples with complex financial remedy work and slices through it‘, and her practice is all-encompassing, including the divorce of married couples, the separation of cohabitees, and financial support needed for children. Among the juniors of the set, Henry Clayton stands out for his work in high-value matrimonial cases and his ’attention to detail is absolutely unrivalled‘. Samantha Woodham is another key name as joint founder of The Divorce Surgery, an institution that allows couples to obtain legal advice on divorce proceedings; ’her written work is of the highest quality and her judgement is impeccable‘.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Work Department
Private Children Law; Finance; Non-court dispute resolution
Position
Overview
Praised by clients, colleagues and the legal directories alike, Samantha specialises in complex and high-value financial disputes and in contentious private law children cases. She is a fearless advocate with a keen intellect, yet possesses a warm and approachable manner that puts clients at ease.
Samantha is recognised as leader in her field in Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, Spears, Citywealth and the Tatler High Net Worth Guide.
From her extensive experience representing husbands and wives in the Family Court, Samantha was convinced there was a better way to resolve family change than requiring each spouse, from day one, to seek advice from separate legal teams. In 2018 she, and fellow barrister Harry Gates, set up The Divorce Surgery, which was the first regulated law firm to enable separating couples to share a lawyer on divorce. The Divorce Surgery was named as one of the FT50 most innovative law firms in Europe.
Samantha is a leader in the field of Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR), for which she has received numerous awards, and appears regularly in print and broadcast media. Samantha and Harry were commissioned by
Harper Collins to write a book about how couples can divorce well: The Divorce Surgery: The Art of Untying the Knot.
Samantha was appointed to the sub-committee of the Online Procedure Rules Committee in 2024, which is tasked with reform of the pre-court space.
Publications/Training
Samantha is a leader in the field of Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR), for which she has received numerous awards, and appears regularly in print and broadcast media. She gives regular lectures and seminars on NCDR and the development of family law.
Samantha and Harry were commissioned by Harper Collins to write a book about how couples can divorce well: The Divorce Surgery: The Art of Untying the Knot. Samantha also co-wrote the relocation chapter in the re-published Rayden and Jackson on Divorce and Family Matters in 2016.
Samantha was appointed to the sub-committee of the Online Procedure Rules Committee in 2024, which is tasked with reform of the pre-court space.
Career
Awards
- Shortlisted Family Law Junior of the Year – Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024
- Innovator of the Year – Women and Diversity in Law Awards 2024
- Women in Innovation Award Winner 2020/2021- Innovate UK
- Champion of the Year – CityWealth Powerwomen Awards 2021
- Individually Commended for work in Access to Justice – Financial
- Times FT50 Intelligent Business Awards 2019
Appointments
- Member of the sub-committee of the Online Procedure Rules Committee (OPRC)
- Member of the Single Lawyer Working Group
Languages
Conversational French and Spanish
Memberships
Professional memberships
- Middle Temple
- FLBA
Education
Education & Qualifications
- MA Law Cambridge University
- Qualified Collaborative Lawyer
- Trained Family Mediator
Content supplied by 4PB
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks at 4PB are also consistently professional, approachable, and efficient, which greatly facilitates the smooth running of cases. Kenny Martin is always so professional, personable, efficient, and he always goes above and beyond to help ensure that advocates and solicitors are kept informed in a timely manner.'
- 'Michael Reeves leads the best clerking team in London.'
- 'The clerks at 4PB are excellent and always on hand to provide what is necessary in terms of support when instructing counsel. Glenn Bennett in particular has gone above and beyond. He is really easy to work with is always available to talk through any issues.'
- 'Excellent clerking team. Michael Reeves, Kenny Martin, and Paul Hennessy are the glue that binds the practice together.'
- 'Without doubt the best clerks room in London. Kenny Martin and Glenn Bennett are true heroes and charming with it. They consistently go the extra mile. Jamie Byrne and Paul Hennessy are also at the top of their game.'
- 'The clerks at 4PB are extremely helpful. Paul Hennessy goes above and beyond and if he is able to move things around to accommodate requests, he will do.'
- 'Paul Hennessy is a credit to 4PB; he is real pleasure to work with, he is quick to respond and always helpful.'
- 'The clerking team at 4PB are excellent and accommodating. Kenny Martin, Paul Hennessy and Glenn Bennett are all helpful and particularly accommodating when clients are more pushed financially.'