Ben regularly represents clients in the Family Court, the Magistrates and County Courts, the Court of Protection, the High Court (Family and Chancery Divisions) and the Court of Appeal. He also represents in civil and family mediations and family arbitrations.
In Family law, Ben is instructed by parents, guardians and local authorities in the final hearings of public and private law Children Act proceedings throughout the South-East of England. He also conducts cases with a cross-border element, such as international relocation and cases of international child abduction under the Hague Convention 1980 and the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court. In addition, Ben has an extensive matrimonial finance practice, working with high value and complex cases involving pre-nuptial agreements, business valuations, international assets and issues of non-disclosure.
Ben also has a Chancery practice, with particular experience in the law of wills and trusts (including co-ownership of property cases), business partnership disputes and probate and Inheritance Act 1975 claims.
An incisive, tenacious advocate with a comprehensive knowledge of the law, Ben also builds the trust and rapport necessary to influence and negotiate, while his calm demeanour is reassuring to clients and judges alike.
Degree/University
MA (Trinity College, Oxford)
BVC (BPP Law School, London) (Very Competent)
GDL (College of Law, Guildford) (Commendation)
Scholarships/Awards/Prizes
Cholmeley Scholarship
Wigglesworth Scholarship
Sir Louis Gluckstein Advocacy Competition Finalist
Memberships
Denning Society
Bar Pro Bono Unit
Family Law Bar Association
Areas of Practice
Family
Family Finance
Public Children Law
Private Children Law
International Family Law
Domestic Violence
Adoption
Costs
Deprivation of Liberty
Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII)
Hague Convention 1980
Hague Convention 1996
Mental Health Issues
Neglect
Non-Accidental Injury
Parental Alienation
Physical Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Special Guardianship
Specific Issue Orders
Vulnerable Witnesses
Matrimonial Finance
Business Assets
Children Act 1989: Schedule 1
Financial Remedies on Divorce
Foreign Assets
Insolvency
Non-Disclosure
Transfer of Tenancy
Validity of Marriage
Chancery
Co-ownership of Property
Court of Protection (Property & Affairs)
Inheritance Act 1975
Partnership
Probate
Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA)