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Family: private FDR judges and arbitrators

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29 Bedford Row Chambers

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29 Bedford Row Chambers is home to a number of qualified arbitrators, ‘brilliant advocates and FDR judges’, and practitioners who sit in high-profile and high-value matrimonial finance cases. Alexis Campbell KC exclusively handles financial remedy claims, and she is noted for her expertise in both domestic and international mandates. Another key silk at the set is Deputy High Court Judge, qualified arbitrator, and ‘top-class evaluator’ Nicholas Allen KC, whose practice also heavily leans towards high-value financial remedy cases. The ‘thoroughly prepared’ Peter Mitchell KC is another key name at the set with expertise in all matters surrounding pre and post-nuptial agreements, as well as matters with jurisdictional queries. Turning to the juniors at the set, Lucy Owens is ‘excellent with clients’ and increasingly active in PFDRs and arbitrations, while mediator and arbitrator Ben Fearnley is lauded as ‘incredibly intelligent’, and has a broad ranging practice that encompasses civil partnership dissolutions, divorce, and the parting of couples who are unmarried.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Really good clerks; Julie Holcombe and Ben Cross especially.'
  • 'Really impressive number and variety of counsel.'
  • 'Family team at the set is strong and experienced.'
  • '29 Bedford Row is one of the most highly regarded family finance sets in the country which is justified.'
  • '29 Bedford Row continues to produce some top-notch barristers and provides a lovely service for NCDR hearings.'
  • '29 Bedford Row is a very good set.'

Lawyers

Leading Private FDR Judges and Arbitrators

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

1
Nicholas Allen KC
 ‘Nicholas is an excellent PFDR/ENE judge and arbitrator. He delivers indications in a way that always draws upon his immense experience and knowledge of the law, while maintaining a sensitivity and respect for the parties, which is always hugely appreciated.’
1
Alexis Campbell KC
 
1
Ben Fearnley
Ben brings together the three most important qualities in a private FDR judge: he listens to clients in a way that makes them feel heard, even if he does not agree with them; he is so on top of the detail that whatever view he gives acquires significance; and, perhaps most importantly, he comes up with practical solutions that all sides can buy into. He is a number one choice for private FDR judges not in silk.
2
Peter Mitchell KC
 ‘Peter is an extremely able private FDR judge; he is one of the best. His preparation is formidable and his indications are detailed and authoritative, but delivered in a sensitive way.’
2
Lucy Owens
 ‘Lucy is a trusted tribunal for both private FDRs and arbitrations for very good reason; her judgement is impeccable and her manner and approach in hearings makes even the most demanding of clients feel listened to. She is able to cut through to get to the true issues of the case whilst always remaining patient and courteous.’
3
Victoria Domenge
 ‘Victoria is a first-class private FDR judge and she is always in total command of factually very complex cases and is able to distill them down to their core components. She genuinely wants the parties to settle, but equally does not pull her punches when it comes to indicating how a court would interpret the issues in the cases.’
3
Laura Heaton
 ‘In the competitive PFDR market, Laura stands out as one of the best senior juniors doing this work. She is meticulously prepared and delivers indications with calm authority and aplomb, and she is a regular top choice.’
3
Nicholas Chapman
'Nicholas is very obviously a highly experienced practitioner and it really shows. His review of parties' cases is thorough, fair, and clearly articulated.'