Professional Practice

Following a decade in which Peter appeared in the Supreme Court twice (in Agbaje and Sharland) and in the Court of Appeal in a number of other leading cases (including Prest, Brack and Hart), Peter took Silk in 2020. He continues his high-profile appellate work, most recently leading the wife’s legal team in her successful and ground-breaking outing to the Court of Appeal in the latest stage of the decade-long Goddard-Watts litigation.

Peter specialises in all aspects of the law relating to relationship finance, with his work encompassing matrimonial finance and claims for financial provision for children, with an emphasis on complex financial cases involving substantial assets, trust structures, tax and valuation issues and/or requiring injunctive relief and/or third party disclosure; international jurisdictional disputes; and the drafting and enforcement of pre-nuptial, post-nuptial and cohabitation agreements. He has particular expertise in the law on setting aside orders for non-disclosure (the subject matter of Sharland and Goddard-Watts) and on proceedings for contempt of court (at issue in Prest and Hart).

Peter prides himself on providing top-quality client care. He considers it essential that his clients are given the information and time to understand the advice he is giving and that he is available throughout proceedings to assist, if called upon to do so. He is ranked as a leader in his field in Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and Spears 500. The 2022 volume of Legal 500 records that “Peter is the most charming intellect in the business. He is a wonderful advocate who makes every client feel special and in the right hands.” Whilst the 2023 volume of Chambers & Partners describes him as “a fantastic person to pick up the phone to and run issues by. He’s personable, charismatic, and excellent. He’s a nice man with a great intellect who delivers results” and as having “a quick brain and an easy rapport with clients”.

Peter has utilised his standing in the profession and rapport with clients to develop a busy additional practice as a Private FDR evaluator and has an enviable reputation for promoting settlement, even in the most contentious of cases.

• Recommendations

  "Every syllable he speaks holds a little magic." "Astonishingly bright and hugely resourceful, he's unflappable in court." "He delivers realistic advice with grace and warmth." "A real team player who is prepared to roll up his sleeves and work with clients to obtain their objectives." "He leaves clients feeling totally safe and secure in his hands." "Peter has the most charming manner."

  Chambers and Partners 2025

  "He makes it known that he's heard their concerns and issues and he approaches matters in a way that's really helpful to them." "He has a really good way of hearing what the clients have to say."

  Chambers and Partners 2025

  "Peter is wonderful. He is ferociously intelligent and an incredible advocate."

  Legal 500 2025

  "Peter Mitchell is very hard working and intelligent. The warmth of his personality makes you feel better about your case."

  Chambers and Partners 2024

  "A calm and thoughtful judge who goes out of his way to make the parties part of the whole process. He's great at helping them resolve the most complex cases."

  Chambers and Partners 2024 (ADR)

  "Peter Mitchell is an immensely experienced trial advocate. What that allows him to do is bring that experience to give parties in ADR an excellent view of the likely outcome at trial at an early stage. This then allows them to settle."

  Chambers and Partners 2024 (ADR)

  "Peter is a superb advocate. He is calm and delivers his examination and cross-examination straight forwardly and humanly, yet his presentation is sophisticated." Peter Mitchell KC has extensive expertise in drafting, implementation and enforcement of pre- and post-nuptial agreements."

  Legal 500 2024

  "A persuasive advocate who keeps cases in proportion." "He cares passionately about both the law and the individuals caught up in the process." "A charming practitioner with a serious intellect who is adored by clients."

  Chambers and Partners 2022

  "A silk at the top of his game. He always prepares meticulously and brings the perfect combination of wit, charm and pure intellect to the table."

  Legal 500 2022

• Notable Cases

  • Goddard-Watts v. Goddard-Watts
    [2023] EWCA Civ 115
    
  • MB v EB (No 2)
    [2019] EWHC 3676 (Fam)
    
  • MB v EB
    [2019] EWHC 1649 (Fam)
    
  • Brack v. Brack
    [2018] EWCA Civ 2862 and [2020] EWHC 2142 (Fam)
    
  • Hart v. Hart
    [2016] EWCA Civ 497, [2017] EWCA Civ 1306 and [2018] EWCA Civ 1053
    
  • Prest v. Prest
    [2015] EWCA Civ 714
    
  • Sharland v Sharland
    [2015] UKSC 60
    
  • C v. C (Appeal: Hadkinson Order)
    [2011] 1 FLR 434
    
  • Agbaje v. Agbaje
    [2010] UKSC 10
    

• Personal Information

  Peter was a professional musician before coming to the Bar. He lives in London and loves his job – as well as his time away from work!