Katherine Dunseath

Year of Call: 2008

Practice Overview

Katherine is a leading junior barrister specialising in both complicated high net worth financial matters and private children cases.

She has particular expertise in matters involving difficult novel points of law at both domestic and international level with particular interest in:

  • International financial remedy, enforcement and issues of jurisdiction 
  • Advising on domestic and international maintenance, including variation and enforcement   
  • Legal costs funding orders and LSPO applications in cases involving sophisticated international assets
  • Complex business structures (both domestic and international)
  • Complicated children matters with an international dimension.

CASES:

PUBLISHED ARTICLES/CHAPTERS:

  • 2024: Resolution Spousal Maintenance Handbook: Chapter 5: Assessing reasonable needs and the problem of quantum
  • December 2023: with P. Allsop: Legal costs funding under Schedule 1 to the Children Act 1989 – Evidence (RC v TA) LexisNexis
  • Summer 2023: With E. Darlington: Fairness versus Certainty – Should the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 be Amended to Restrict the Duration of Spousal Maintenance? FRJ
  • October 2021: with D. Eames: Jurisdiction and Brexit: Des Pallieres v Des Pallieres [2021] FLJ 1304
  • June 2019: with J. Bazley KC: Considering the impact of the wrong box on a divorce petition, June [2019] Fam Law
  • September 2018: with J. Westcott: Periodical Payments, no second bite [2018] FLJ 179
  • July/August 2017: with C. Lloyd-Smith: Parental Abduction within the UK (Issue 189 Resolution)
  • March 2017: with F. Feehan KC: Varying maintenance: Mills, March [2017] Fam Law
  • February 2017: With F. Feehan KC: Maintenance payments as a gateway to independence (Mills v Mills) LexisNexis
  • November 2016: with R. Harrison KC and S. Craddock: 'Should I stay or should I go? Where the clandestine removal of a child from the jurisdiction is not unlawful: LM v DR’ November [2016] Fam Law
  • October 2016: With K. Taft: English court exercises jurisdiction in retrospective leave to remove case (Re: X, Y and Z) LexisNexis
  • August 2016: With R. Harrison KC: Summary return and competing jurisdictions LexisNexis
  • August 2016: with J. Chegwidden: 'A clear conclusion: religious circumcision for boys' August [2016] Fam Law
  • July 2016: 'Babies relinquished by foreign nationals: leading guidance': July [2016] Fam Law
  • July 2015: Court considers transfer of tenancy on separation LexisNexis
  • February 2014: Evidence and interim care orders LexisNexis 
  • What the Directories Say

    "Katherine is a highly impressive advocate. Clients are always impressed by her thorough preparation and her steely advocacy." Band 4 - Chambers and Partners, 2025

    "Katherine is simply exceptional in every way. She is fiercely intelligent, yet incredibly personable, and goes above and beyond to assist with matters." Band 4 - Chambers and Partners, 2025

    "Katherine is razor-sharp and fights like a tiger for her clients. Her tenacity and technical ability instil confidence in her clients." Band 4 - Chambers and Partners, 2025

    "Katherine is a tenacious advocate, strategic and a real fighter. Her cross-examination is excellent." Tier 5 - Legal 500, 2025

    "Katherine is fearless and leaves no stone unturned." Tier 4 - Legal 500, 2025

    "Katherine is extremely robust, a fearless advocate and quick on her feet. She never fails to make an impact, and her cross-examination is exceptional." Legal 500, 2024 - Finance

    "Katherine is a force to be reckoned with. She shows total commitment to her cases, is very well prepared and has a great rapport with clients." Legal 500, 2024 -  Family

    "Katherine is determined and fights hard for her clients. No client leaves court feelings they haven't given it their all." Chambers and Partners, 2023

    "Katherine is technical and extremely tenacious. Pragmatic and clear-sighted, she's a pleasure to deal with. Clients adore her." Chambers and Partners, 2023

    "Katherine is a fantastic and robust advocate. She is incredibly skilful in cross examination and persuasive in her arguments."  Legal 500, 2023

    "Sharp, punchy and slick in court. Clients are always delighted with her." Chambers and Partners, 2022

    "She efficiently pinpoints the key issues and knows what needs to be done." Chambers and Partners, 2022

    "An experienced, driven barrister." Chambers and Partners, 2022

    “A fantastic and tenacious advocate. She is always well prepared, strategically sound and has a great manner with the clients. She is no-nonsense and exceptional in cross-examination.” Legal 500, 2022

    "Robust in terms of her cross-examination, she prepares thoroughly for cases and goes the extra mile." "Gets to grips with the issues and is very approachable." Chambers and Partners, 2021

    "She is a tough negotiator." Chambers and Partners, 2020

    "She sticks up for her clients well and is a very sound practitioner." Chambers and Partners, 2020

    "Very knowledgeable." Chambers and Partners, 2019

    "Diligent and personable." Chambers and Partners, 2019

    "She prepares thoroughly for cases and goes the extra mile." Chambers and Partners, 2019

    "Her strength is her no-nonsense approach and impressive cross-examination skills. She is a fighter and is always totally committed to her client." Legal 500, 2019

    "She has a forceful cross-examination style." Legal 500, 2019

    "An expert in cases with an international element, who fiercely protects her clients interests with professionalism and congeniality." Legal 500, 2017

Legal 500

Leading Junior

2024

Chambers and Partners

Ranked

2023

Legal 500

Leading Junior

2023

Chambers and Partners

Ranked

2022

Chambers and Partners

Ranked

2021

Chambers and Partners

Ranked

2020

Legal 500

Leading Junior

2022