Professional Practice

Lee Arnot is a senior junior barrister, with particular expertise in matrimonial finance and private law children work, often representing clients in respect of both aspects of their case. In matrimonial finance, he is instructed in cases dealing with complex financial disputes, including high net worth assets, trusts and company assets, as well as high conflict children cases involving allegations of alienation, serious allegations of abuse, and permanent relocation abroad. He is regularly instructed in public law cases, and private law cases with a background of social services involvement. He has been rated in the main directories for many years and appears in numerous reported cases. 

Lee is a Recorder sitting in Family and Crime on the Northern Circuit.

He also sits as Deputy District Judge in the Financial Remedies Court, as well as in private law children’s work, in London, including the Central Family Court. 

He undertakes private FDRs and Early Neutral Evaluation and is a qualified arbitrator (Children) through the Institute of Family Arbitrators (IFLA) scheme.

• Recommendations

  "His experience as a judge gives his clients well-placed trust and confidence in him." "He has a brilliant ability to analyse and deal with issues in a focused and strategic manner." "He is calm, precise, and methodical in his approach to cases and facts." "He fights for you and truly understands the emotional impact the case has on normal lives outside the courtroom and legal boundaries." "He is fearless, organised and seems to have a photographic memory."

  Chambers and Partners 2025

  "Lee immediately gains the confidence of clients with his realistic but sensitively pitched advice. He is great to work with and views his instructing solicitor as part of his team."

  Legal 500 2025

  "His clients have absolute trust in him and he delivers for them", and "He displays an excellent grasp of the facts and exceptional advocacy skills," and "His advocacy was first-rate, his knowledge of the case was encyclopedic and he had very good client care skills as well".

  Chambers and Partners 2024

  "Lee is exceptionally well-prepared and has an amazing rapport with the clients. His advocacy is sublime. It can be transfixing. He is well prepared, knows the law, is great with the client and is responsive."

  Legal 500 2024

  "Lee Arnot is superb and a brilliant tactician. He knows the law inside out and he knows how to work the court." "He is forensic, great with clients and generally a pleasure to work with. You know you'll get the best possible outcome when he's involved."

  Chambers and Partners 2023

  "Lee has excellent advocacy skills, highly intelligent, excellent with clients, and reliable."

  Legal 500 2023

  "Calm, focused and persuasive with judges. He manages clients well and gives honest, sound advice." "He provides clear direction for clients and instructing solicitors alike."

  Chambers and Partners 2022

  "Absolutely brilliant on children law and so calm and astute. He can make anyone feel so re-assured. A brilliant tactician and great to work with. An amazing advocate reads the court so well."

  Legal 500 2022

• Notable Cases

  • B-T (A Child: Threshold Conditions)
    [2020] EWCA Civ / 697 [2020] 1 WLR 4469
    
  • Re V (A Child)
    [2013] EWCA Civ. 1649
    
  • MA v RS (Contact: Parenting Roles)
    [2012] 1 FLR 1056
    
  • Re M (Contact: Long-Term Best Interests)
    [2006] 1 FLR 627
    
  • A v A (Shared Residence)
    [2004] 1 FLR 1195
    
  • Re W (Minors) (Care Order: Adequacy of Care Plan)
    [2002] 1 FLR 815.
    

• Personal Information

  Married. Lives in London.