Our Family Finance Services

Our barristers regularly advise and represent clients in a broad range of financial matters, including:

Marital and Partnership Financial Disputes

• Divorce financial settlements

• Cohabitation disputes

• Civil partnership financial disputes

• Pre-nuptial, post-nuptial, and separation agreements

Maintenance and Financial Support

• Spousal maintenance and support claims

• Child maintenance disputes

• Claims under Schedule 1 of the Children Act, including university fees

• Child support enforcement and variation

Complex Asset and Property Cases

• Business assets, including farming and complex commercial interests

• Family trusts, both UK-based and international

• Trusts of land and cohabitation disputes

• Hidden or undisclosed assets

• Cases involving dissipation of assets and injunctions

Special Circumstances

• Short marriages

• Military pensions

• Financial claims following overseas divorce

• Cases involving serious misconduct

Legal Remedies and Proceedings

• Variation and enforcement of court orders

• Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act

• Appeals in financial disputes

• Early neutral evaluations and private Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR) hearings

Why Choose Our Family Finance Barristers

• Specialist expertise – extensive experience in complex financial and family law disputes

• Tailored advice – practical solutions based on your individual circumstances

• Strong advocacy – representation in Family Court, High Court, and private hearings

• Conflict minimisation – strategic guidance aimed at resolving disputes effectively and fairly

• UK-wide coverage – acting for clients throughout England and Wales

Our barristers are committed to achieving outcomes that are fair, enforceable, and minimise conflict, while protecting your financial interests and those of your children.

Contact Our Family Finance Barristers in London

If you are facing a financial dispute arising from a divorce, separation, or family breakdown, our barristers provide expert advice, strategic guidance, and strong advocacy.

Our Family Finance barristers in London handle all financial disputes, from spousal and child maintenance to complex trust, business, and asset cases, offering practical solutions and UK-wide representation.

What is a Non-Molestation Order?

Non-molestation orders are intended to safeguard victims from harm, intimidation, or harassment. They prevent the respondent from:

• Using or threatening violence

• Harassing, pestering, or intimidating the applicant

• Contacting the applicant directly or indirectly

• Approaching the applicant’s home or workplace

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must have a qualifying relationship with the respondent, such as:

• Current or former spouses or partners

• People who have lived together in an intimate relationship

• Family members (parents, siblings, children)

• Those sharing parental responsibility for a child

How to Apply

Applications are made under Part 10 of the Family Law Act 1996.

• Without Notice Applications (Ex Parte): Used in urgent situations where immediate protection is needed.

• With Notice Applications: The respondent is notified and given a chance to respond.

Criteria for Granting an Order

The court considers the health, safety, and wellbeing of the applicant and children. There doesn’t need to be proven violence, but the applicant must show a risk of harm or distress from the respondent.

Breach of a Non-Molestation Order

Breaching a non-molestation order is a criminal offense. Consequences can include:

• Arrest without a warrant

• Criminal charges with fines or imprisonment (up to 5 years)

• Civil contempt proceedings in family court

Evidence Considered

Evidence may include:

• Witness statements and testimony

• Police reports or medical records

• Threatening messages, emails, or letters

Duration and Modifications

Non-molestation orders are usually granted for a fixed period (e.g., 6–12 months) but can be extended. The respondent may also apply to vary or discharge the order if circumstances change.

Interaction with Other Orders

These orders often overlap with other family court proceedings, such as child arrangement orders or occupation orders, especially in domestic abuse cases.

Key Points for Respondents

Respondents must comply fully with the order to avoid criminal penalties. They also have the right to challenge an order made without notice at a return hearing.

Understanding non-molestation orders is vital for both applicants and respondents to ensure protection, compliance, and fair legal proceedings.

Please note: This information is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Always consult a qualified legal professional for guidance regarding your case.

Key Principles:

• Child Welfare is Paramount: Every decision about a child prioritizes their physical, emotional, and educational needs. Courts use a “welfare checklist” to guide these decisions.

• Parental Responsibility: Both parents share legal duties for their children, even after separation, unless a court decides otherwise.

• Best Interests of the Child: All interventions, including care or protection proceedings, must serve the child’s best interests.

Main Provisions:

• Section 8 Orders: Courts can issue contact and residence orders to ensure the child’s welfare is protected.

• Care & Supervision Orders: Local authorities may assume responsibility for children at risk, either fully (care) or partially (supervision).

• Emergency Protection Orders: Rapid intervention is possible if a child is in immediate danger.

• Services for Children in Need: Local authorities must provide support for education, health, and welfare.

• Children’s Rights: Children have the right to express their views in decisions affecting their lives.

• Adoption & Special Guardianship: The Act regulates adoption processes and allows placements with guardians where appropriate.

• Private vs Public Law: Private law covers disputes between parents; public law involves local authority intervention.

What Are Contact Hearings?

Contact hearings are legal proceedings that resolve disputes over contact with a child. They are designed to ensure that the child’s welfare is protected while balancing the rights of both parents or guardians. These hearings operate under the principles set out in the Children Act 1989 in England and Wales.

Types of Contact Hearings

What the Court Considers

During contact hearings, the court takes into account several important factors:

• The child’s wishes and feelings, based on their age and maturity

• Each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs

• Any history of harm or potential risk

• The importance of maintaining safe relationships with both parents

• Practical matters like distance between homes or parental work schedules

Possible Outcomes

Contact arrangements can take various forms:

• Unsupervised or supervised contact

• Indirect contact, such as letters or phone calls if direct contact is unsafe

• Temporary or long-term arrangements depending on what serves the child’s best interests

Contact hearings can be complex and emotionally charged, requiring careful balancing of competing interests to protect the child’s welfare.