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Arbitration
Arbitration is a system of dispute resolution in which the parties choose the person who is to decide their dispute. An arbitrator (unlike a mediator or early neutral evaluator) has the power to make decisions which bind the parties to virtually the same extent as a Judge in court. Arbitration is very well established in commercial and construction disputes as an alternative to the court process but has only relatively recently become possible in disputes between family members about money and property.
Disputes which are suitable for family arbitration include:
- The financial consequences of divorce (or dissolution of civil partnership).
- Children’s maintenance.
- Disputes about property ownership.
- Disputes under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
- Financial claims after a foreign divorce.
Arbitration has many advantages over the court process:
- The parties can choose their arbitrator.
- The parties can agree the procedure to be used: for instance, whether to have a hearing or to have the decision made without a hearing.
- The parties can agree what is to be arbitrated. This may be the entire dispute, or it may just be one issue which is holding up negotiations.
- The arbitration can take place either before or at any stage during the court process.
- It can take place anywhere the parties agree. Our arbitrators are happy to travel.
- It is quick. Subject to the arbitrator’s availability, the timetable is in the hands of the parties.
- It is confidential.
Although arbitration may seem more expensive than the court process because the parties have to pay the arbitrator, the saving of time and the ability to agree procedure will mean that in many cases there is an overall saving of cost: especially (but not only) if many issues are agreed and the arbitration is limited in scope.
Not all disputes are suitable for arbitration because an arbitrator does not have all the powers a Judge has. This needs to be looked at on a case-by-case basis. The Forum of Family Arbitrators has produced a quick guide to arbitration that you can view here.
Please contact the Senior Clerk, James Shortall, for further information.
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Legal 500

Daniel Jeffrey
- Barrister
- Call 2020
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Daniel Mutton
- Barrister
- Call 2016
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Nicholas Bennett
- Barrister
- Call 2005
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Family law (general)

Yasmin Hughes-Pugh
- Barrister
- Call 2018
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Philip Tait
- Call 2018
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Harry Campbell
- Barrister
- Call 2017
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

James Cooper
- Barrister
- Call 2014
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Joseph Switalski
- Barrister
- Call 2014
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Emily Page
- Barrister
- Call 2012
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
Children Law
Family law (general)

James Pullen
- Call 2012
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Charlotte Trace
- Call 2012
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
Children Law
Family law (general)

Richard Tambling
- Call 2005
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law

Roshi Amiraftabi
- Barrister
- Call 1993
Areas of Expertise
Children Law

Alexa Storey-Rea
- Call 1990
Areas of Expertise
Children Law
Family law (general)

Matthew Long
- Call 2011
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
Children Law
Family law (general)

Victoria Francis
- Call 2001
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
Children Law
Family law (general)

Timothy Scott QC
- Call 1975 Silk 1995
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Anton J. Eriera
- Call 2010
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
Children Law
Family law (general)

James Finch
- Call 2011
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Helen Williams (ACA)
- Call 2007
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Christopher Butterfield
- Call 2004
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Jonathan Tod
- Call 1990
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
Children Law
Family law (general)

Nicholas Allen QC
- Joint Head of Chambers
- Call 1995 Silk 2018
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Max Lewis
- Call 2002
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Ken Collins
- Call 1996
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

David Walden-Smith
- Call 1985
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Dafydd Griffiths
- Call 1997
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
Children Law
Family law (general)

Clare Renton
- Call 1972
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Conor Fee
- Call 2006
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
Children Law
Family law (general)

Simon Calhaem
- Call 1999
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Ben Fearnley
- Call 2001
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Sally Max
- Call 1991
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
Family law (general)

Indira Ramsahoye
- Call 1980
Areas of Expertise
Children Law
Family law (general)

Georgina Black
- Call 1999
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
Family law (general)

Peter Mitchell QC
- Call 1996 Silk 2020
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Family law (general)

Lynsey Cade Davies
- Call 2005
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Nicholas Chapman
- Call 1990
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Amber Sheridan
- Call 2008
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Victoria Domenge
- Call 1993
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Miriam Foster
- Call 2011
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Anthony Geadah
- Call 2000
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Family law (general)

Christopher Wagstaffe QC
- Call 1992 Silk 2011
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Family law (general)

Lee Arnot
- Call 1990
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Jacqueline Wehrle
- Call 1984
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
Children Law
Family law (general)

Judith Butler
- Call 1993
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
Children Law
Family law (general)

Brent Molyneux QC
- Call 1994 Silk 2017
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Cohabitation
Children Law
Family law (general)

Jonathan Southgate QC
- Call 1992 Silk 2013
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Mark Emanuel
- Call 1985
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Peter Duckworth
- Call 1971
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
Family law (general)

Howard Shaw QC
- Call 1974 Silk 2011
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Paul Storey QC
- Call 1982 Silk 2001
Areas of Expertise
Children Law

Petra Teacher
- Call 2006
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Richard Bates
- Call 1992
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
Children Law
Family law (general)

Lucy Owens
- Call 1997
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Family law (general)

Patrick Chamberlayne QC
- Call 1992 Silk 2010
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Sassa-Ann Amaouche
- Call 1996
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Family law (general)

Philip Cayford QC
- Call 1975 Silk 2002
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act
Children Law
Family law (general)

Annabel Wentworth
- Call 1990
Areas of Expertise
Children Law
Family law (general)

Alexis Campbell QC
- Joint Head of Chambers
- Call 1990 Silk 2017
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
Children Law
Family law (general)

Laura Heaton
- Call 1998
Areas of Expertise
Family Finance
- Financial Remedies: Matrimonial Finance
- Financial Provision for Children
- Pre and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation
- Inheritance Act