‘Top financial remedy set’ 1 Hare Court is well-renowned for its alternative dispute resolution services, and is notably home to Nigel Dyer KC, who exclusively acts as a PFDR judge. ‘The very measured and considered’ Geoffrey Kingscote KC predominately focuses on matrimonial financial remedy matters, and is particularly strong in cases surrounding nuptial agreements, offshore trusts, and issues of non-disclosure. Joint head of chambers Nichola Gray KC is lauded as an ‘excellent strategist and tactician’, and frequently sits as a PFDR judge; she boasts particular strength in cases surrounding trusts and hidden or offshore assets. Among the set’s juniors, Gavin Smith is a key name as an ‘excellent’ family financial arbitrator and PFDR evaluator, and Tom Carter also specialises in financial remedy cases, with a particular emphasis on complicated asset structures, offshore trusts, and allegations of non-disclosure; he is praised as ‘a fantastic PFDR judge’.
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Profile
Position
Nichola has over 30 years’ experience during which she has practised exclusively in financial remedy cases.
She specialises in complex cases, particularly those involving corporate structures, on-shore and off-shore trusts and cases which have an international element. In addition, she is a recognised specialist in disputes between unmarried parties where there is a Schedule 1, Children Act 1989 element to be considered.
She is also regularly instructed to advise on and draft pre-nuptial agreements and has a wealth of experience in both defending and challenging such agreements, having represented the wife in the frequently cited case of KA v MA (Prenuptial Agreement: Needs) where she successfully challenged the terms of the pre-nuptial agreement. She is renowned both for her attention to detail and for her robust performance in Court.
Nichola is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and regularly sits as a Private FDR Judge and Arbitrator where her ability to find innovative solutions is highly regarded.
Notable cases:
- AH v BH [2024] EWFC 125
- AB v BA [2024] EWHC 1179 (Fam)
- L v O [2024] EWFC 6
- SS v IS [2023] EWHC 1544 (Fam)
- KA v MA (Prenuptial Agreement: Needs) [2018] EWHC 499 (Fam)
- ABX v SBX (DX Intervening) [2018] EWFC 81
- T v M (Appeal against strike out of Application to vary) [2013] EWHC 1585 (Fam)
- Lawrence v Gallagher [2012] EWCA Civ 394
- L v L (Financial Remedies: Deferred Clean Break) [2011] EWHC 2207
- G v IF (MFPA 1984 Part III: Lugano Convention) [2010] EWHC 1062
Publications:
- Author of Blackstone’s Guide to the Civil Partnership Act 2004
- Contributing Author of Rayden & Jackson, Divorce & Family Matters:
- Chapter 4 (Civil Partnerships)
- Chapter 20 (Resolving Claims to Property)
Career
Called 1991; Silk 2021
Memberships
- Family Law Bar Association
- Member of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Education
University College, Oxford.
Content supplied by 1 Hare Court
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Steve McCrone is exceptional, as is Daniel Barnett. Both are always very responsive and helpful.'
- 'Daniel Barnett is excellent.'
- 'A first-rate service from a first-rate clerk's room. All are helpful and informative.'
- 'Pre-eminent set with strengths across the board. Excellent pFDR evaluators and clever opponents.'
- '1 Hare Court is one of the leading financial remedy sets in the country. They have the strongest team of silks at the Bar and very good juniors at every level. They deserve their plaudits and the creation of a hearing room is a great development so that they can host private FDR hearings and arbitrations.'
- 'All the clerks are approachable and responsive.'
- '1 Hare Court have an excellent selection of senior junior barristers and silks.'
- 'A very slick and well organised set.'