Stephen is a highly sought-after family law specialist who represents clients in children and financial remedy disputes in courts throughout England and Wales at all levels up to and including the Court of Appeal.

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

He represents clients at all stages of proceedings involving children, 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.

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.

Upon instructing Stephen, clients have the option to have a conference during which Stephen provides legal advice and develops 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 and guidance on submitting the strongest application. He helps develop his clients' case strategy.

Stephen also helps clients draft a variety of statements and applications.

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. Stephen's cases involve 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. He also deals with applications to vary or enforce existing orders. Stephen deals with section 7 reports regularly.

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

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

Stephen has represented a premier league footballer within Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 proceedings.

Stephen represents 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 receive expert advice and representation without going through a Solicitor in appropriate cases, saving them time and money and enabling them to feel empowered, confident and in control.

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

Away from court, Stephen enjoys spending his time with his young children.

Stephen is a member of Exchange Chambers.

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