News

07 April 2025

Philip Perrins and Katherine Dunseath join the Editorial Board of the Butterworths Family Law Service (LexisNexis)

Chambers is pleased to announce that Philip Perrins and Katherine Dunseath have joined the Editorial Board of the Butterworths Family Law Service (LexisNexis), one of the leading publications providing authoritative guidance in all areas of family law. 

22 January 2025

Sally Stone KC is appointed as joint Head of Chambers alongside Andrew Norton KC

1GC Family Law Chambers is delighted to announce that with effect from 22 January 2025, Sally Stone KC and Andrew Norton KC will be the Joint Heads of Chambers. 

16 December 2024

John Thornton joins chambers

We are delighted to announce that John Thornton MCIArb has joined Chambers with immediate effect.

11 November 2024

Steven Ashworth has been appointed as a Recorder

We are pleased to share that Steven Ashworth has been appointed as a Recorder (South Eastern Circuit).

18 October 2024

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2025 – Leading Set in Family: Children

We are pleased to announce that we have been included as a leading set in Family: Children in the 2025 edition of Chambers and Partners, with 38 barristers ranked in this category.

03 October 2024

The Legal 500 2025 – Leading Set in Court of Protection

We are pleased to announce that we are again ranked as a leading set in Court of Protection and Community Care in the 2025 edition of Legal 500.

25 September 2024

Claire Heppenstall has won the Family Law Junior of the Year award at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024

Our congratulations go to Claire Heppenstall who won the Family Law Junior of the Year award at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024.

27 August 2024

The 2024 Chambers UK Bar Awards Shortlist

We are delighted to share that Tom Wilson has been shortlisted as Family Law Junior of the Year for the Chambers and Partners UK Bar Awards. 

10 July 2024

Karen Kabweru-Namulemu is a finalist in the Birmingham Black Lawyers (BBL) Excellence Awards

We are proud to share that Karen Kabweru-Namulemu is a finalist in the Birmingham Black Lawyers (BBL) Excellence Awards in the Lawyer of the Year category. 

12 June 2024

Members listed as Top Recommended Barristers in the Spear’s 500 2024 Legal Indices

We are pleased to announce that several of our members have been recognised in the Spear's 500 Family Law Index 2024 as leading family law barristers.

21 May 2024

Mark Harrop joins Chambers

We are pleased to announce that Mark Harrop has joined Chambers.

21 March 2024

A Review of the Criminal Exploitation of Children, commissioned by the charity Action for Children was published this morning

A Review of the Criminal Exploitation of Children, commissioned by the charity Action for Children was published this morning. Charles Geekie KC, who is a member of the Action for Children board of trustees, was a member of the review panel which was chaired by Professor Alexis Jay CBE, who headed up the long-running Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

19 January 2024

Sharon Segal to be appointed as King’s Counsel

We are delighted to announce that Sharon Segal is to be appointed King's Counsel.

15 November 2023

Joseph Moore was awarded the Citywealth Future Leaders Bronze Award in the Barrister of the Year Category. 

Congratulations to Joseph Moore who won the City Wealth Awards Bronze Award in the Barrister of the Year Category. 

19 October 2023

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2024 - Leading Set in Court of Protection: Health & Welfare

It is very pleasing to see Chambers as a Top Ranked set in Court of Protection in the 2024 edition of Chambers & Partners.

04 October 2023

The Legal 500 2024 – Leading Set in Family: Divorce and Financial Remedy

We are pleased to announce that we are again ranked as a leading set in Family: Divorce and Financial Remedy in the 2024 edition of the Legal 500 guide.

11 September 2023

The 2023 Chambers UK Bar Awards Shortlist

We are pleased to share that Richard Jones has been shortlisted as Family Law Junior of the Year in the Chambers and Partners UK Bar Awards

28 July 2023

Eleanor Platt KC elected a Master of the Bench at Gray’s Inn

Many congratulations to Eleanor Platt KC who has been elected a Master of the Bench (bencher) at Gray's Inn

18 May 2023

Kate Mather is now a qualified arbitrator for children matters

We take great pleasure in announcing that Kate Mather has now qualified as an arbitrator for children matters under the Institute of Family Law Arbitrators (IFLA) scheme.

03 April 2023

Becky Littlewood joins Chambers

We are pleased to announce that Becky Littlewood is joining Chambers with immediate effect.

14 December 2022

Senior Fees Clerk Chris Ferrison meets with the High Cost Family team at the LAA

Last week Senior Fees Clerk, Chris Ferrison attended the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) offices in South Tyneside to meet with the High Cost Family team for two days to look at ways to improve communications and processes around High Cost Family cases for the benefit of all concerned. 

26 October 2022

Eleri Jones has been appointed as a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)

Our congratulations go to Eleri Jones who has been appointed as a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL).

20 October 2022

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2023 - Leading Set in Court of Protection: Health & Welfare

It is very pleasing to see Chambers as a Top Ranked set in Court of Protection in the 2023 edition of Chambers & Partners.

28 September 2022

The Legal 500 2023 – Leading Set in Children Public and Private Law

We are pleased to share that we are ranked as a Top Tier set in Children Public and Private Law in the 2023 edition of the Legal 500 guide.

05 September 2022

Elizabeth Darlington joins Chambers

We are pleased to announce that Elizabeth Darlington has joined Chambers with immediate effect.

05 August 2022

Eleri Jones joins the team of editors for the Red Book

We are pleased to announce that Eleri Jones has joined the team of editors for the Lexis Nexis The Family Court Practice (Red Book).

06 July 2022

Charles Geekie QC, Deirdre Fottrell QC and Laura Briggs QC listed as Top Recommended Family Law Barristers in the Spear’s 500 Family Law Index 2022

Congratulations to Charles Geekie QC, Deirdre Fottrell QC and Laura Briggs QC who have been included in the Spear’s FamilyLaw Index 2022 as 'Top Recommended Family Law Barristers' for high-net-worth clients.

11 April 2022

Emily Verity joins Chambers

We are pleased to announce that Emily Verity is joining Chambers with immediate effect.

22 December 2021

Laura Briggs appointed as Queen’s Counsel

We are delighted to announce that Laura Briggs will be appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2022.

26 October 2021

Craig Vickers has been appointed as Deputy District Judge

We are delighted to announce that Craig Vickers has been appointed as Deputy District Judge. 

18 October 2021

Sam Whittam joins Chambers

We are pleased to announce that Sam Whittam is joining Chambers with immediate effect.

30 September 2021

The Legal 500 2022 – Leading Set in Family Finance

1GC Family Law is pleased to announce that we are again ranked as a leading set in Family (Including Divorce and Financial Remedy) in the 2022 edition of Legal 500.

14 September 2021

We take great pleasure in announcing that two more members of Chambers are now qualified as arbitrators

David Burles and John Stocker have qualified as arbitrators for financial matters.

06 September 2021

Karen Kabweru-Namulemu joins Chambers

We are pleased to announce that Karen Kabweru-Namulemu is joining Chambers with immediate effect.

04 August 2021

Annabel Barrons appointed to the National YRes Committee

We are happy to announce that Annabel Barrons has been appointed to the National YRes Committee.

13 July 2021

Elisabeth Andrews appointed to the Young Bar Advocate Executive Committee

We are very pleased to announce that Elisabeth Andrews has been appointed to the Young Bar Advocate Executive Committee

20 January 2021

Nine members of 1GC Family Law instructed in linked appeals in the Court of Appeal in cases involving allegations of Domestic Abuse

The Court of Appeal is this week hearing four linked appeals in cases involving allegations of domestic abuse.

20 November 2020

1GC Family Law has been awarded Family Set of the Year at the Chambers and Partners UK Bar Awards 2020

We take great pleasure in announcing that 1GC Family Law have been awarded Family Set of the Year at this year's Chambers and Partners UK Bar Awards.

26 October 2020

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2021 – Top Ranked Set in Family: Matrimonial Finance

It is very pleasing to see Chambers as a Top Ranked set in Divorce and Financial Remedy in the 2021 edition of Chambers & Partners.

02 October 2020

The Legal 500 2021 – Leading Set in Court of Protection

1GC Family Law is pleased to announce that we are again ranked as a leading set in Court of Protection and Community Care in the 2021 edition of Legal 500

28 September 2020

The 2020 Chambers UK Bar Awards Nominations

We are pleased to announce that 1GC Family Law has been shortlisted in two categories in this year's Chambers Bar Awards.

14 September 2020

Tahmina Rahman joins Chambers

1GC Family Law is delighted to announce that Tahmina Rahman is joining Chambers with immediate effect.

28 July 2020

Malcolm Chisholm has been appointed to a part-time post as a nominated judge of the Court of Protection

We are delighted to announce that Malcolm Chisholm has been appointed to a part-time post as a nominated judge of the Court of Protection (effective November 2020). 

28 May 2020

John Stocker - Thwaite/Barrell jurisdiction

Thursday 28 May - 4:30pm

John Stocker will be talking about how the Thwaite and Barrell jurisdictions might apply to pre-Covid orders and decisions so as to avoid the consequences of executory court orders and decisions that have yet to be drawn up.

12 May 2020

Susan Pyle, Keeley Lengthorn (MW Solicitors), Luke Eaton and Anna Lavelle - Contact in the time of quarantine

Tuesday 12 May - 4.30pm

A short webinar looking at some legal and practical issues arising since the Covid-19 pandemic in both private and public law contexts.

30 April 2020

Jon Dodge of Walton Dodge Forensic - Company Valuations During the Pandemic - tips and traps?

Thursday 30 April 2020

Covid-19 and the lockdown have significantly affected company valuations. How we handle existing and future company valuations is now more critical than ever. 

20 April 2020

The Court of Protection Team at 1GC Family Law - Challenges, Easements and Suggestions during the Pandemic

Monday 20 April - 5.00pm

Andrew Bagchi QC and Malcolm Chisholm of The Court of Protection Team at 1GC Family Law , warmly invite you to a webinar at 17:00 Monday 20 April, to discuss questions arising from the current COVID-19 Pandemic.

26 March 2020

1GC at the forefront of Family Arbitration in light of the imminent expansion in scope of the IFLA children arbitration scheme

We have had numerous enquiries about arbitration, particularly in light of the imminent expansion in scope of the IFLA ...

12 March 2020

Charles Geekie QC is named Lawyer of the Week in The Times

Charles Geekie QC is named Lawyer of the Week in The Times newspaper today. Charles represents Her Royal Highness Princess Haya in the highly complex children proceedings before the President of the Family Division.

09 December 2019

1GC Family Law Pupillage Evening

We're hosting a pupillage evening on Thursday, 9 January 2020, between 6.00pm and 8.00pm. The event is now at capacity after being advertised with numerous universities, law schools and the Inns of Court.

However, we have created a waiting list to ensure that those who would still like to attend have the opportunity to come along.

31 October 2019

Deirdre Fottrell QC named Family Silk of the Year 2019

Chambers congratulates Deirdre Fottrell QC on her recognition as Family Silk of the Year 2019 by Chambers and Partners UK. The award was announced at the Chambers UK Bar Awards on 31st Oct 2019. 

03 October 2019

The Legal 500 2020

1GC|Family Law is pleased to announce that we are again ranked as a leading set in the 2020 edition of Legal 500.

08 July 2019

Elpha LeCointe joins Chambers

1GC Family Law is delighted to announce that Elpha LeCointe will join Chambers with immediate effect.

16 May 2019

“When Parents Split” by BBC Radio 4

Francesca Wiley QC appeared on BBC Radio 4 with host Philippa Perry discussing the increasingly recognised phenomenon of Parental Alienation, the psychological manipulation of children during divorce.

25 March 2019

Elizabeth Hartnett has been appointed as Deputy District Judge

We are delighted to announce that Elizabeth Hartnett has been appointed as Deputy District Judge. 

29 January 2019

Case management and FPR 2010, PD 12J (A v C)

Olivia Magennis considers the decision in A v C and the application of Family Procedure Rules 2010 (FPR 2010), Practice Direction 12J (PD 12J) to interim contact decisions in cases involving allegations of domestic abuse.

04 December 2018

Legal 500 UK Awards 2019

Chambers is delighted that 1GClFamily Law has been shortlisted in three categories at the Legal 500 UK Awards 2019.

30 October 2018

The Legal 500 2019

1GC|Family Law is pleased to announce that we are again ranked as a leading set in the 2019 edition of Legal 500, with our skills in all forms of children work being highlighted and also our expertise in Family Law (Divorce and Financial Remedy) as well as modern families, Court of Protection and Community Care being recognised, with many individual members being ranked. 

06 September 2018

The Chambers Bar Awards 2018

We are pleased to announce that 1GC|Family Law have been shortlisted in 2 categories in this years’ Chambers Bar Awards. 

31 August 2018

‘Lawyers behind the cases’

Elizabeth Darlington, along with 7 other leading land law barristers have helped produce a series of videos that explore their involvment in recent seminal land law cases.

29 June 2018

The inquest into the death of Alexander Monson in Kenya returned a verdict of unlawful killing

Francesca Wiley QC and Iain Daniels from Ely Place have assisted the family in Kenya for the last 3 years of proceedings.

02 May 2018

Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2018

Alev Giz has been shortlisted as a finalist for “Legal Aid Barrister of the year” at the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2018.

23 February 2018

Susan Jacklin QC appointed a Circuit Judge

Chambers is delighted to congratulate Susan Jacklin QC on her appointment to the Circuit Bench...

15 January 2018

Special Advocate Panel

We are delighted that both Louise MacLynn and Gemma Kelly have been appointed to the Attorney General’s Special Advocate Panel.

03 November 2017

Chambers and Partners UK 2018

1 Garden Court are delighted to announce that we have been ranked as a Leading Set in the 2018 edition of Chambers and Partners UK with 23 individual Members of Chambers being listed.

28 September 2017

1 Garden Court is delighted to announce that Elizabeth Hartnett, Steven Ashworth and Sophie Prolingheuer are joining chambers.

Elizabeth was called in 2005 and is an established Family Finance specialist who represents clients in applications for Financial Remedies on divorce, Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 and TOLATA claims. 

23 May 2017

Nkumbe Ekaney QC appointed as Deputy High Court Judge

Chambers is delighted that Nkumbe Ekaney QC has been appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge.

24 March 2017

Financial remedy update: latest article from Christopher Sharp QC

The article continues Christopher’s regular reviews of the more important recent financial remedy cases, this one covering the period from October 2016 to March 2017.

06 February 2017

Janet Bazley QC – Article on Arbitration in Counsel Magazine

Janet Bazley QC and Gavin Smith of 1 Hare Court have been commissioned to write an article for Counsel Magazine on Arbitration.

23 December 2016

1GC Jordan’s Family Law Chambers of the Year Win

Chambers is delighted to have been awarded the accolade of Family Law Chambers of the Year at the Jordan’s Family Law Awards 2016.

02 November 2016

Chambers & Partners - 1GC Guide

Chambers & Partners' UK Bar ranks and recommends the most outstanding sets and barristers throughout the Bar of England and Wales.

05 October 2016

Tom Wilson appeared pro bono on behalf of the appellant in the case of Re K (A Child) [2016] EWCA Civ 931

Tom Wilson appeared pro bono on behalf of the appellant in the case of Re K (A Child) [2016] EWCA Civ 931.

13 September 2016

In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case O) [2016] EWHC 2273 (Fam)

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Tom Wilson appeared on behalf of the child in the case of In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case O) [2016] EWHC 2273 (Fam).

20 July 2016

Darren Howe QC appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge

It is with great pleasure that we announce that Darren Howe QC has been appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge, pursuant to s9(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981.

27 June 2016

Jessica Lee Joins Chambers

Chambers is very pleased to announce that Jessica Lee has accepted an offer of tenancy.

06 April 2016

In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case G) [2016] EWHC 729 (Fam)

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Lucy Sprinz appeared on behalf of the applicant parent and Janet Bazley QC and Sharon Segal appeared on behalf of the children's guardian in the case of In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case G) [2016] EWHC 729 (Fam)

19 January 2016

The Independent Enquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

Marlene Cayoun has been instructed as Junior Counsel to The Independent Enquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.