Queen Elizabeth Building (QEB) boasts ‘a very talented collection of barristers’ and is sought after for its particular expertise in relationship breakdowns and the related financial remedy proceedings. Among its silks, Katie Cowton KC is lauded as ‘an exceptionally well prepared and thorough judge’, and is notable for her experience as a qualified financial arbitrator; she frequently handles both financial divorce cases as an PFDR judge, as well as Schedule One children cases. Tim Amos KC is also a key silk at the set. Turning to the juniors, ‘superb mediator’ Tristan Harvey has strengths in both children and matrimonial matters; he handles mediations and arbitrations, and he often undertakes PFDRs, as well as ENEs. Former senior clerk Howard Rayner retired in March 2025, and Jon Bartlett has taken over this role.
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Profile
Position
Katie was appointed Queen’s Counsel in March 2019. She had been rated as a leading junior for matrimonial finance by Legal 500 for many years, and was shortlisted as Legal 500 Family Junior Barrister of the Year in 2017. She sits as a family Judge (Recorder), and is a family Arbitrator. Katie is instructed to appear in complex international cases, involving trusts and tax issues, predominantly in the High Court and Central Family Court. A tough negotiator and tenacious advocate, she quickly wins the confidence of her clients. Much of Katie’s practice takes place away from the public eye, resolving complicated, often high-profile cases at private FDRs. Her work includes financial applications on divorce and civil partnership dissolution, Schedule 1 financial applications for children, and representing trustees in financial cases. She drafts pre-nuptial, post-nuptial and cohabitation agreements.
Katie has been involved in numerous significant reported cases including: Martin v Martin [2018] EWCA Civ 2866 (valuation of private companies; approach to non-marital wealth); WM v HM [2017] EWFC 25 (linear approach to business valuation); Zimina v Zimin [2017] EWCA Civ 1429 (successful appeal against Part III MFPA order); Z v Z [2016] EWHC 911 & 1720 (Fam) (Part III MFPA application); WG v HG [2016] EWHC 3279 (Fam) (pre-marital business); WW v HW [2015] EWHC 1844 (Fam) (pre-nuptial agreement)
Katie lectures on a range of topics including Pre-Nuptial Agreements, Financial Claims after Overseas Divorces, Brexit and Jurisdiction Issues, Enforcement and Spousal Maintenance.
Career
Called 1995; QC 2019; Recorder (SE circuit); Arbitrator (MCIArb)
Memberships
Family Law Bar Association.
CIArb; Advocate panel member
Education
Magdalene College, Cambridge (MA Hons Law); Queen Mother’s Scholar, Middle Temple.
Content supplied by Queen Elizabeth Building (QEB)
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The QEB clerks are extremely helpful and flexible.'
- 'QEB are a very talented collection of barristers.'
- 'A great clerking team and high-end facilities for hosting PFDRs and arbitrations.'
- 'QEB are a powerful set. They have a number of excellent barristers across all seniority.'