Stephen represents clients in child arrangements and financial remedy disputes in courts throughout England and Wales at all levels up to and including the Court of Appeal.

Stephen is ranked as a ‘Leading Junior’ by the ‘Legal 500’.

He represents clients at all stages of child arrangements proceedings, including urgent hearings, FHDRAs, DRAs, finding of fact hearings and final hearings.

Stephen also represents clients at all stages of financial remedy (‘matrimonial finance’) proceedings, including first appointments, FDRs, private FDRs and final hearings.

Upon instructing Stephen, he offers clients the opportunity to have an in person or video conference to provide legal advice and to develop a case strategy that carries clients through to the conclusion of their proceedings.

For clients who have not yet issued their application, Stephen provides clear and strategic advice on how to submit the strongest applications.

Stephen also helps clients draft witness statements that set out their case in the most persuasive and favourable way.

Stephen quickly gains the trust of his clients. He is praised for his calm, reassuring and empathetic approach which clients find invaluable. Stephen's meticulous preparation and eye for detail enable him to present his clients' strongest possible case.

Area of Law

What sort of work do I do?

Stephen's child arrangements practice includes applications for child arrangements orders, live with orders, contact orders, shared-care arrangements and change of residence. He also deals with applications to vary or enforce existing orders and other issues such as specific issue orders, internal relocation, international relocation, prohibited steps orders and orders for committal to prison. His cases often involve the most serious allegations of non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, alienating behaviours by parents (‘parental alienation’) and drug & alcohol misuse.

Stephen represents clients within financial remedy proceedings at first appointments, FDRs, private FDRs (‘pFDR’) and final hearings. He represent clients living within the jurisdiction and clients living overseas. He is experienced in the division of the former matrimonial home, pensions, companies and property portfolios. He deals with cases involving experts. Stephen often deals with cases valued in excess of £1 million.

Stephen also represents applicants and respondents in claims for non-molestation orders and occupation orders.

Stephen has experience of Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 proceedings, notably representing a premier league footballer.

Stephen represent clients alone and he is often led by King’s Counsel.

Stephen is happy to advise on the prospects of a successful appeal.

Who do I work for?

Stephen is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public under the Direct Access scheme, through which members of the public can instruct Stephen directly to receive expert advice and representation without going through a Solicitor in appropriate cases, saving them time and money. Stephen will advise if your case is unsuitable.

Many clients instruct Stephen throughout proceedings, benefitting from continuity of representation and all of the benefits that brings.

Stephen is a member of Exchange Chambers.

Email:
[email protected]

Send enquiry