‘Quite simply the best HNW divorce team in London’, the family offering at Payne Hicks Beach LLP provides ‘a top-rate level of service to clients and achieves fantastic results’. Nick Manners took over as head of the practice in May 2024, noted for his work on complicated financial remedy litigation and jurisdictional disputes. Fiona Shackleton is a standout figure in the team; ’brilliant with clients and brilliant with the case‘, she is sought after by high-profile individuals for complex divorce proceedings. The team regularly handles wealth protection matters, including pre- and post-nuptial agreements; Philip McGuirk is a go-to for this work, which is also a focus of mediator Matthew Booth’s practice. ’Big money’ cases, requiring expert valuations and complex budgets, are an area of strength for Ben Parry-Smith, while Simon Beccle is noted for work with an international element. Sarah Williams heads up the team’s modern family law offering, with extensive expertise regarding fertility, surrogacy, and adoption law. Katie Parkes is experienced in dealing with international children matters. Isabella Savill is also recommended. Catherine Costley and Joshua Moger departed the team in November 2023 to Fladgate LLP, and Harriet Errington was a ‘brilliant addition’ from Boodle Hatfield LLP, joining the team in April 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Payne Hicks Beach is one of the best firms in the country. They provide a top rate level of service to clients and achieve fantastic results.’
‘Simon Beccle is a brilliant lawyer and has fantastic judgment. He has a particularly good bedside manner with clients. You can immediately see that they trust him implicitly.'
‘Ben Parry-Smith has an ability to make complex legal concepts readily understandable for lay clients and fantastic relationships in the sector which improves prospects of settlement.'
‘There is no one like Baroness Fiona Shackleton. She is brilliant with clients and brilliant with the case. Her instincts are spot on.'
- 'Nick Manners is fabulous with clients and great to work with. He has an easy but reassuring manner, such that he gets on with everyone whilst being able to give no nonsense advice. I would recommend him to anyone.'
- 'Harriet Errington is a brilliant addition to the team with a real talent for jurisdictional work. She is a pleasure to work with and has an impressive ability to get to the heart of a case.'
‘Quite simply the best HNW divorce team in London, at every level.’
‘Sarah Williams is exceptional, particularly in the field of children law and modern families. I have worked with her on a number of complex cases within this field and she has been entirely dedicated to clients.’
Work highlights
Advising Mr Vladimir Potanin in relation to complex Part III proceedings brought by Mrs Potanina following their lengthy divorce proceedings in Russia.
Advising Mrs Collardeau-Fuchs in connection with contested financial remedy proceedings in the High Court.
Advising Mrs Standish in connection with contested financial remedy proceedings in the High Court.
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Practice head
Nick Manners
Other key lawyers
Baroness Fiona Shackleton; Simon Beccle; Philip McGuirk; Matthew Booth; Ben Parry-Smith; Sarah Williams; Katie Parkes; Luke Scarratt; Camellia Buckmaster; Victoria Hingston; Orlaith Devereaux; Laura Hallahan; Isabella Savill; Alex Curran; Harriet Errington