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
Finance; Private Children Law; International Children Law; Non- court dispute resolution
Position
Overview
Judith is an unusual Family Law barrister in that she is recommended in the leading directories as specialising in both financial remedies and private law children cases. She is equally expert in these areas and has been ranked in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for almost 15 years.
Judith has always specialised in Family Law covering both children and financial proceedings. Her practice is now focussed on representing high net worth individuals in both their financial and Children Act proceedings. This will cover applications in respect of all elements of their children’s lives from applications for leave to remove and sole/shared care disputes to issues in respect of education and medical treatment. With many more ‘international’ families leave to remove applications include temporary leave to non-Hague jurisdictions. Judith is also regularly instructed in high conflict child arrangements disputes involving parental alienation and allegations of sexual abuse and/or coercive and controlling behaviour.
Judith specialises in financial remedy applications including those resulting from divorce or the ending of co-habitational relationships. Her reported cases cover applications under The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 and Schedule 1 of The Children Act 1989. Judith’s cases will often include off-shore assets and trusts and will usually involve the instruction of experts in relation to company valuations, property valuations, pension sharing and tax issues.
Judith undertakes private Financial Dispute Resolution hearings and is a children arbitrator and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb).
Career
Awards
- Junior Family Law Barrister of the Year, Chambers and Partners Awards 2014
Memberships
Professional Memberships
South Eastern Circuit
Family Law Bar Association
Association of Lawyers for Children
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb)
Education
Education & Qualifications
- Arbitrator (MCIArb)
- Jurisprudence BA (Hons) (Oxon)
- Lincoln College
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.'