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Overview
Charles has practised exclusively in family law for over 30 years. He has been based at Albion Chambers for the majority of the time although he spent five years in London at QEB Chambers (2009-2014) where he remains a door tenant.
He was head of Albion Chambers from 2015 to 2019.
Charles is recognised as a leading practitioner in his field (Band 1 in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners directories – see below) and is one of only a few King’s Counsel to practise in matrimonial finance and child law. He has an outstanding reputation in both and as a facilitator of ADR, being regularly instructed to act in, and adjudicate upon, private FDRs.
The recommendations below highlight his dedication to being fully prepared for every case. He has developed a stellar reputation as a result of his innate ability, experience and the results he has achieved.
Charles welcomes instructions as an Arbitrator in family finance.
Solicitors and lay clients are attracted to his ‘no-nonsense’ and focused approached, designed to achieve the best outcome at the least possible emotional cost. The pragmatism for which he is recognised reflects years of high-quality work at the Bar and experience sitting at the Royal Courts of Justice as a Deputy High Court Judge, where he has authority to hear the most complex financial and children cases. He also sits as a Recorder in the Financial Remedy Court and in Private and Public Law cases across the West of England. Charles also regularly conducts Private FDRs where his extensive judicial experience and expertise in practice come into their own.
He was a founder member of the Family Procedure Rules Committee in 2004 and served on the committee for ten years (the statutory maximum).
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Matrimonial Finance
Considered to be ‘intellectually in a class of his own’; as having an ‘enviable practice as a smooth operator in high-value money cases’ (Chambers and Partners), and brilliant, inclusive and charming’ (Legal 500), Charles has appeared in many reported and well-publicised cases.
Solicitors and lay clients are attracted to his ‘no-nonsense’ and focused approached, designed to achieve the best outcome at the least possible emotional cost. His pragmatism reflects years of high-quality work at the Bar and also his experience sitting at the Royal Courts of Justice as a Deputy High Court Judge, where he has authority to hear the most complex financial and children cases. He also sits as a Recorder in Private and Public Law cases across the West of England. Charles also regularly conducts Private FDRs where his judicial and extensive expertise in practice comes into its own.
He was a founder member of the Family Procedure Rules Committee in 2004 and served on the committee for ten years.
Non-court Resolution:
Charles combines his skill as a practitioner with his experience as sitting as Deputy High Court Judge and as a Recorder in the Financial Remedy Court to provide a first class dispute resolution service. He is in high demand in this field, is happy to travel and has received instructions from across the country. He has achieved a very high settlement rate in the PFDRs that have come before him.
Reported cases:
- Finch v Baker [2021] EWCA 72
- R v F [2011] 2 FLR 99
- SW v RW [2011] EWCA Civ 703
- T v B [2010] EWHC 1444
- Sandler v Sandler v Lloyd Platt [2010] Fam Law 1266
- Re M [2010] 2 FCR 236.
- Re W and M (2010) All ER (D) 77
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Child Law Public
Charles regularly leads Senior barristers in public law children cases featuring the death or serious injury of children, allegations of sexual abuse or very significant emotional harm. He acts for Local Authorities, parents, children and intervenors. He has particular skill in acting for, or in cases involving, vulnerable people.
