Christopher Naish

Head of Chambers - Call 1980 - Inner Temple

The Legal 500 - The Clients Guide to Law Firms Recognised in the Legal 500
Chambers is delighted to congratulate Christopher Naish on his ranking as a leading junior on the Western Circuit by the Legal 500 in the area of Family and Child Law. Our Head of Chambers until earlier this year, Chris is praised by the Legal 500 the way he ‘remains approachable to clients, despite his commanding presence in court.’

Has a broad practice, acting for guardians, parents and local authorities on private and public children law matters, as well as being able to handle complex financial remedy cases.
Strengths: "Chris is a calming, steady hand with expert knowledge." "Very good on complex financial matters and public law children cases, with particular expertise on appeals." Chambers and Partners (2017)
“Christopher Naish is very highly experienced and has a wealth of knowledge of family law. He also is very good at establishing a good relationship with clients and putting them at their ease.” “A commanding presence, with good attention to detail, and great in cross-examination.” Chambers and Partners (2016)

Christopher has practised in Exeter since 1981 – first at Southernhay Chambers (where he was Head of Chambers from 2005) and now at Magdalen Chambers. He undertakes a full range of family work relating to children and money, and family-related civil work including trusts of land and professional negligence.

Christopher regularly represents local authorities, parents and other family members and guardians in public law cases including non-accidental injuries with contested medical evidence and a range of other care work with disputed expert evidence.

Christopher has extensive experience in advising and representing clients in relation to financial remedies on divorce. He is experienced in cases involving disputed accountancy evidence and recently delivered a seminar on “Dealing with businesses in financial remedy cases.” He is also experienced in issues relating to pensions and has a particular interest in applications to set aside consent orders.

He also regularly advises in relation to applications under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996; under Schedule 1 Children Act 1989; and under the Inheritance Act 1975. Chambers Guide to the Bar says that he is acclaimed for his “measured and sound” approach to children law, trusts of land and ancillary relief cases.

The Legal 500 2017 - ‘Very intelligent, calm, personable, courteous, analytical and thorough.’

The Legal 500 2016 - ‘Excellent – his knowledge of family law is second to none.’

The Legal 500 2015 recognised his expertise in family law and described him as “effective in court, and good with clients from all walks of life.”

Family - Children

Christopher regularly represents Local Authorities, parents and other family members and Guardians in public law cases including

non-accidental injuries with contested medical evidence;
a range of other care work with disputed expert evidence.

He also undertakes private law children cases.

From Christopher:

I am in the Court of Appeal most years on cases relating to children.

I have the following cases which have located on Lawtel

Re F ( a child) [2010] EWCA Civ 375 (making final orders at IRH)
Re F (a child) [2007] EWCA Civ 810 (submissions of no case to answer)
Khalil v Bishieri [2007] EWCA Civ 837 (order for sale of former matrimonial home)
Re N (a child) [2006] EWCA Civ 357 (removal from the jurisdiction for a holiday)

I am currently working on two cases in the Court of Appeal :

Re R (children) : appeal against placement order which would have the effect of separating two children. (Permission to appeal granted)
Re Y (children) : appeal against placement orders where mother had always cared well for the children but where there was doubt about her ability to work with the local authority (appellant’s notice lodged)

Family Finance

He has a particular interest in applications to set aside consent orders.

He also regularly advises in relation to applications under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996; under Schedule 1 Children Act 1989; and under the Inheritance Act 1975.

Property & Chancery

Christopher is regularly instructed in applications under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996, in particular in disputes between former cohabitants. He regularly delivers seminars on establishing constructive trusts in family cases.

Wills, Trusts and Probate

He also advises and represents clients in claims under the Inheritance Act 1975.

Qualifications

LlB Hons Exeter University 1979

Professional Memberships

Family Law Bar Association
Western Circuit

Personal

Christopher is married with three adult children. He is an active member of his church and in his spare time enjoys walking and digging his wife’s allotment!