*WE ARE RECRUITING*

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If you are a member of the Bar seeking to leave the city hustle and bustle aside and relocate to practice in the scenic South West, we want to hear from you!

Magdalen Chambers is one of the largest sets in the south west outside of Bristol with members excelling in a wide range of areas of civil and family work. We were thrilled to achieve success for another year having been recognised by Chambers and Partners 2021 and be ranked once again to be recognised by the Legal 500 as a leading set on the Western Circuit in the Legal 500 UK Bar Guide 2021.

After a busy and successful 2020, we are looking to expand and wish to hear from members of the Bar that seek to share in our growing and busy workload. We are situated in the heart of Exeter which offers the city living alongside its close links to the beautiful countryside, Dartmoor and beaches – what more could you want!

Magdalen Chambers is proud to have a strong, supportive and leading clerking team who have been recognised by Chambers and Partners 2020.

We will happily consider applications for tenancy or 3rd six pupillages. Please direct any applications which will be treated in the strictest confidence to : Senior Clerk, James Basden.  James@magdalenchambers.co.uk

 

Domestic Abuse in the Family Courts: A Changing Landscape?

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The Court of Appeal has handed down judgment in 4 joined cases considering the approach of the Family Court to the issue of domestic abuse. In a case that attracted substantial comment in the media, and which was live tweeted to the public by legal bloggers (as well as being conducted entirely remotely on a live stream) the Conducted a wide-ranging review of the approach of the Family Court to cases involving Domestic Abuse.

Some context

For some time, there has been controversy about the perceived failure of the Family Courts to protect alleged victims of domestic abuse and their children from the dual harm of an abusive partner/parent and a traumatic court process. Some very public judgments criticising the way in which hearings were dealt with led to outrage in the media and wider public and, it must be said, to successful appeals and enhanced training.

Domestic abuse cases are far from rare. As the President observed, in 2019/2020 there were 55,253 private law children applications and at least 40% of them raised issues of domestic abuse. While the Court noted that the number of appeals in such cases is small it was still a cause of deep unease: in such cases the stakes are high but access to legal representation is limited since they were removed from the scope of legal aid by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO). While each of the appellants (all mothers and alleged victims of some form of domestic abuse) had legal aid, none of the respondents (fathers accused of being perpetrators of that abuse) did, and all were represented by lawyers acting for free (pro bono).

Against this background Re H-N and Others (Children) (Domestic abuse: finding of fact hearings) [2021] EWCA Civ 448 combined 4 different appeals against orders made by three different Circuit Judges into a single hearing. Various women’s rights organisations, Cafcass, Rape Crisis, Families Need Fathers and the Association of Lawyers for Children were all joined as intervenors. The Court roamed well beyond the facts of the individual cases and looked at the process, at Practice Direction 12J of the Family Procedure Rules 2010 which governs the procedure in domestic abuse cases, and at the wider approach to the fact-finding exercise.

The appeals

All four appeals involved domestic abuse. In all four cases there were issues raised about the findings or lack of findings which were made, with criticisms including the manner in which the Judges had dealt with the alleged victims and the impact of coercive and controlling behaviour.

The developing attitude of the Courts to domestic abuse

Having set out the historical development of English law’s approach to domestic abuse, the Court turned to the issue of coercive and controlling behaviour. The President cited with approval the judgment of Hayden J in F v M [2021] EWFC 4:

“4. …The nature of the allegations included in support of the application can succinctly and accurately be summarised as involving complaints of ‘coercive and controlling behaviour’ on F’s part. In the Family Court, that expression is given no legal definition. In my judgement, it requires none. The term is unambiguous and needs no embellishment. Understanding the scope and ambit of the behaviour however, requires a recognition that ‘coercion’ will usually involve a pattern of acts encompassing, for example, assault, intimidation, humiliation and threats. ‘Controlling behaviour’ really involves a range of acts designed to render an individual subordinate and to corrode their sense of personal autonomy. Key to both behaviours is an appreciation of a ‘pattern’ or ‘a series of acts’, the impact of which must be assessed cumulatively and rarely in isolation. There has been very little reported case law in the Family Court considering coercive and controlling behaviour. I have taken the opportunity below, to highlight the insidious reach of this facet of domestic abuse. My strong impression, having heard the disturbing evidence in this case, is that it requires greater awareness and, I strongly suspect, more focused training for the relevant professionals.”

Coercive and controlling behaviour has been a central part of the definition of domestic abuse within PD12J for some years now and will be a familiar concept to anyone who practices in this area of law. The President acknowledged that:

“31… coercive and/or controlling behaviour by one party may cause serious emotional and psychological harm to the other members of the family unit, whether or not there has been any actual episode of violence or sexual abuse. In short, a pattern of coercive and/or controlling behaviour can be as abusive as or more abusive than any particular factual incident that might be written down and included in a schedule in court proceedings (see ‘Scott Schedules’ at paragraph 42 -50). It follows that the harm to a child in an abusive household is not limited to cases of actual violence to the child or to the parent. A pattern of abusive behaviour is as relevant to the child as to the adult victim.”

At the same time, the Court recognised that “not all directive, assertive, stubborn or selfish behaviour will be ‘abuse’ in the context of proceedings concerning the welfare of a child; much will turn on the intention of the perpetrator of the alleged abuse and on the harmful impact of the behaviour”. No marriage is perfect, and where some bad behaviour is alleged which is not ‘used to harm, punish or frighten’ or make the victim subordinate it is unlikely to be relevant.

However, a failure to consider the potential impact of coercive and controlling behaviour, and to look at the allegations in the round to establish a pattern, led to two of the appeals against findings of fact to be upheld – an unusual outcome, as did an undue focus on the intention of the perpetrator as opposed to the impact of the behaviour on the victim in another.

The Court’s approach

The issue that the court sought to address in the context of coercive and controlling behaviour, however, was how to approach those cases where what is alleged is a pattern of behaviour which can be somewhat nebulous and not capable of summing up in a series of distinct index events. The Court routinely lists separate ‘fact-finding’ hearings to establish the truth or otherwise of allegations. Where there are specific and serious individual allegations of physical or sexual violence the approach is straightforward: set them out as if an indictment and then address them in turn. The allegations are often so serious individually that their relevance is obvious. Where coercive and controlling behaviour is alleged it is less straightforward. The incidents alone may be relatively minor, but together they have a cumulative affect over time. It was suggested that the standard practice was no longer fit for purpose in dealing with such cases.

Fact-finding hearings

The Court reviewed the guidance within PD12J on when it is appropriate to hold a separate fact-finding hearing in cases where domestic abuse is raised as an issue. The President observed that the Court should only determine those issues which it is necessary to determine in order to dispose of the case – there is not a right to litigate every issue which each party wishes to be heard. The proper approach to the decision on whether to hold a fact-finding is therefore (paragraph 37 of the judgment):

  • Consider the nature of the allegations and the extent they are likely to be relevant to any order which is made (PD12J.5);
  • Keep in mind that the purpose of the exercise is to assess risk and the impact of the alleged abuse on the children (PD12J.16);
  • Consider whether a separate hearing is ‘necessary’ and in particular whether there is other evidence which addresses the point adequately without such a hearing (such as a conviction or admission), and the relevance of the issues at hand (PD12J.17);
  • Consider whether a separate hearing is necessary and proportionate, with reference to the overriding objective and the President’s Guidance in ‘The Road Ahead’.

This is, essentially, a restatement of the law as it stands. It is obvious that some forms of behaviour will be highly relevant and should be at the centre of the Court’s consideration of risk. Identifying and addressing the risks posed by a range of abusive behaviours is key to child welfare. But it is equally obvious that the Court is not ‘a Court of morals’ in the position of passing judgment on every ill-considered or objectionable act by a party to a relationship which inevitably has fallen apart in some acrimony.

While the Courts have not always had the most enlightened approach to domestic abuse, and while continual attention to the changing understanding of its impact is needed, not everything which one party to a relationship found upsetting will pose a risk to the welfare of children. Nor is the Court there to lay blame for the sad disintegration of intimate relationships. That can lead to the elevation of petty misdemeanours but also (as in one of the appeals) to an exercise in excusing abusive behaviour because the other party was not blameless. The court should assess the allegations which are relevant to the issues at stake.

Indeed, one of the appeals failed because while the disputed allegation was serious, the mother made clear that she did not seek to overturn the order for contact – only to address a finding that had been considered and rejected in the original proceedings. The issue was therefore academic, and it was not necessary to resolve the appeal. Another succeeded in part because the judge had engaged in an exercise of laying blame on one or other party and thereby minimising the abuse which had been found to have taken place.

Scott Schedules

One significant part of the judgment for practitioners is in the Court’s guidance on how to plead domestic abuse. During the parties’ submissions to the Court there was a universal feeling that the Scott Schedule was no longer suitable. For the uninitiated, a Scott Schedule sets out in tabular form each alleged incident of abuse, the response of the other party, the evidence they each rely on and the findings of the Judge. Originating from building disputes it is designed to include single items on which there is a dispute in an accessible form. Imported into Children Act proceedings a common practice is for a judge to direct a limited number of ‘incidents’ (often 6 is considered proportionate) sometimes described as the first, last, best and worst – i.e. how it all started, the most ‘serious’ incident(s), the final incident that led to protective action being taken and those with the strongest supporting evidence.

The Court of Appeal looked at two criticisms: the inability of a schedule to address the cumulative impact of coercive and controlling behaviour, and the tendency to limit the number of items to be considered.

The criticism of the more limited approach is obvious – if the allegation is of daily low-level coercive and controlling behaviour consisting of perhaps many thousands of incidents over perhaps decades of a relationship, how is that to be pleaded? Is 6 incidents of name-calling or mutual pushing and shoving during arguments in the last weeks of a relationship worse than daily ritual belittling and controlling of a person so as to destroy their spirit and make them dependent?

And how is a pattern of behaviour to be assessed if limits are placed on the number of incidents to be pleased? In a building claim each faulty item is easily identified and the Court will allow you to address each aspect of your claim. If you are a pair of Hollywood stars arguing over a libel claim you can have 16 days with a High Court Judge. But if you are a victim of domestic abuse dealing with a perpetrator who poses a risk to you and your children you are limited to only a small number of issues and potentially criticised if you then stray outside the schedule. The focus on index incidents, it was argued, skews the picture and limits the Court’s assessment of risk – the argument will always be that ‘only’ 3 or 4 or whatever number of incidents were proven, where they may be part of a pattern which is what really poses the risk.

The Court of Appeal agreed with the criticism of Scott Schedules:

“46. For our part, we see the force of these criticisms and consider that serious thought is now needed to develop a different way of summarising and organising the matters that are to be tried at a fact-finding hearing so that the case that a respondent has to meet is clearly spelled out, but the process of organisation and summary does not so distort the focus of the court proceedings that the question of whether there has been a pattern of behaviour or a course of abusive conduct is not before the court when it should be.”

As to what that format might be – pleadings as in a civil case or a threshold style document identifying types of harm and the causes of them were suggested – that issue was left to another day. In my personal experience it is now common for Scott Schedules to identify ‘coercive and controlling behaviour’ or similar patterns as one of the index allegations, followed by a series of stated examples. This is sometimes criticised as a way of ‘getting around’ the limit on the number of allegations pleaded. This criticism seems inappropriate in light of the Judgment of the Court of Appeal and the recommendations in similar terms of the Harm Report. Until further guidance is received it is likely that the Scott Schedule will need to be adapted to allow a wider view of the narrative.

Controlling and Coercive Behaviour

Perhaps the most important part of the judgment relates to the approach of the Courts to controlling and coercive behaviour allegations. The Court observed that the vast majority of domestic abuse cases were underpinned by coercive and controlling behaviour. It is likely, therefore, to be central to the Court’s exercise in most domestic abuse cases. Even where there was violence it was likely to be part of a pattern of intimidation and control.

Importantly, just as the antiquated approach from the 1970s and 1980s of looking at ‘violence’ as something between the adults had rightly been left behind, so too should the approach of viewing coercive and controlling behaviour as incidents that are between the adults and ‘in the past’ and therefore irrelevant.

That the parties are separated and therefore not in a position where physical or sexual violence can be perpetrated does not address the underlying patterns of behaviour that are the foundation of domestic abuse. The Court observed that the patterns and attitudes that lead to abusive behaviour are likely to find a different outlet if not addressed and therefore to pose a risk, even if the route to a repetition of the past behaviour is closed off by separation or injunctions. A judge who fails to consider the issue of coercive and controlling behaviour is therefore likely to fall into error and expose themselves to an appeal.

The Courts should, it was held (paragraph 56), look less at individual incidents (unless they are obviously of significant concern in their own right) and more at the pattern of behaviour. The Court of Appeal considered this may restrict the length of the exercise and ease the burden on the courts. How a judge is to find as a fact that a pattern of behaviour has occurred without establishing a series of examples of that behaviour remains to be seen. The Court’s guidance was that:

  • The focus should be on issues relevant to the proceedings, and necessary to provide a basis for the assessment of risk and the overall welfare analysis;
  • Only those allegations which it is necessary to resolve should be listed for determination; and
  • In every case where domestic abuse is alleged the parties should be asked to describe (orally or in a statement) the overall experience of being in a relationship with each other.
  • Where coercive and controlling behaviour is alleged, that should be the primary issue for determination. Any specific factual allegations should be selected because of their potential probative relevance to that issue unless they are so serious as to require resolution (for example rape allegations).

The relevance of the criminal law

Since the case of Re R (Children) (Care Proceedings) [2018] EWCA Civ 198 there has been debate about the relevance of criminal law concepts to Children Act cases. In many cases the allegations made could easily constitute a criminal offence. In some cases, there will have been criminal proceedings resulting in acquittal – a cause of consternation to some that the allegations can be resurrected in a different court with a different standard of proof.

In Re R the Court of Appeal held that it was wrong for the Family Court to engage in debates about whether the alleged abuse constituted a criminal offence. The focus should be on the broad canvas of narrative not the specific detail of an alleged crime. In criminal proceedings no findings of fact per se are made – the jury decides whether a person is guilty or not in relation to the offence as pleaded in the indictment. The issue in Family Proceedings is very different. The Court needs to establish what has happened and how and then assess the risks arising from that.

So far so sensible. The result, however, has been a degree of confusion. As Cobb J observed in F v M [2019] EWHC 3177 (Fam) it is the focus on the ingredients of an offence (for example defences to an established offence or the constituent aspects making up the offence of rape) which was the error envisaged in Re R. The Family Court is ill-placed to consider whether some specific legal defence would be available to a charge in the criminal court, and even where a party may not be guilty of an offence, their conduct may be such as to give rise to genuine risk and real harm. As such it would remain relevant to the welfare exercise even if not a criminal act.

In some cases, however, the Court has become focussed on the language and this was addressed by the Court of Appeal. The contortion of a judge stating that a party or a legal representative let alone a judge is not allowed to use the word ‘rape’ for example but rather must refer to ‘non-consensual sex’ so as to avoid straying into criminal concepts is troubling. What does it say to the victim? They will understand their experience as rape, but a judge is telling them that it is not. They will be left with the understandable feeling that their experience is somehow not so serious. It is artificial, insulting and harmful to victims and was deprecated by the Court of Appeal, who stated that nothing in Re R should cause the courts to shy away from the use of such colloquial language to describe behaviour found to have taken place. The restriction on the consideration of criminal concepts should also not prevent the consideration by the court of procedural matters drawn from the criminal law, such as the relevance of past sexual conduct of the accuser.

The Future

This is not the end of the story for Domestic Abuse cases. In the past 12 months both the Harm Panel Report (MOJ: Assessing Risk of Harm to Children and Parents in Private Law Children Cases) and the President’s Private Law Working Group have published detailed reports that are being piloted in Family Courts. They reflect a move away from the adversarial contest between two parties towards a more investigative approach.

It is worth noting that the current position is itself an evolution. The Court observed that as recently as 1976 the Domestic Violence and Matrimonial Homes Act required evidence of actual bodily harm before a power of arrest could be attached to an injunction. In the 1980s ‘domestic violence’ was considered a matter between the adults which was irrelevant to the welfare of children. In 2000 the conjoined appeals in Re L (Contact: Domestic Violence); Re V (Contact: Domestic Violence); Re M (Contact: Domestic Violence); Re H (Contact: Domestic Violence) [2000] EWCA Civ 194 brought heightened awareness of the importance of domestic abuse and its relevance to child welfare, and since then the introduction of PD12J has codified the required best practice, within which domestic abuse is given a wide definition including coercive and controlling behaviour. As society’s approach to domestic abuse evolves, so too does the Court’s.

It is also worth noting that the Courts currently face unprecedented resource restrictions, exacerbated by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Fact-finding hearings are routinely listed for 1 or 2 days, perhaps 3 at most. At least one party is often unrepresented. Lists are busy and the number of judges available restricted. Establishing patterns of coercive and controlling behaviour through many relatively ‘minor’ incidents takes time and care. The challenge for the courts will be to undertake the forensic exercise envisaged by the Court of Appeal within these constraints. Time will tell whether that is possible.

Rupert Chapman

Magdalen Chambers

31 March 2021

A Practical Guide to Non-Party Costs Orders – Author Charles Shwenn

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Chambers would like to congratulate Charles Shwenn on the publication of his book by Law Brief Publishing: A Practical Guide to Non-Party Costs Orders. This is a valuable tool for practitioners as well as companies, insurers and commercial litigation funders. Family practitioners who practice in the area of TOLATA may also find this guide of use.

Orders that a non-party to litigation shall pay the costs of that litigation have become increasingly prevalent since the court’s power to make them was confirmed in 1986. Though judges have a wide discretion in this regard, the jurisprudence that has developed on this topic offers important guidance as to its exercise. It is important for practitioners to understand these principles so that they can be alert to the possibility of recovering their costs from a non-party and when their clients might themselves be susceptible.

Charles Shwenn is a member of the civil team in chambers and maintains a broad commercial chancery practice. He has a particular interest in the law of costs and civil procedure, on which he regularly writes and advises.

This book can be purchased from Amazon using the following link. Practical Guide to Non-Party Costs Orders

It’s business – but not as usual.

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Since the situation became increasingly troubling our team have worked hard to be in a position to assist our professional and lay clients, the Courts, and the Ministry of Justice to keep the system running in these unprecedented circumstances.

All of our members are trained on using the main cloud-based video platforms considered by Macdonald J in his recent guidance (CVP, Sykpe for Business, Zoom and Microsoft Teams), and we have been conducting remote hearings from home since Friday 20 March 2020. Members are able to accept instructions and papers electronically. Our clerking team will be happy to help you with any advice about the best ways to send bulky documents.

Our clerking team are also fully set up to work remotely, and our phone lines and diary systems mean that you will continue to experience the same high standard you have come to expect from Magdalen Chambers.

The situation is still evolving on an almost daily basis, but Magdalen Chambers is at the forefront of the efforts to keep the justice system running. Our Heads of Chambers and Teams are in contact regularly with the Senior Judiciary to ensure that we are able to provide the best assistance possible, within the guidelines. To that end we can provide:

  • A fully set up, dedicated video suite which is sufficiently spacious for Counsel and client to be the recommended distance apart if it is necessary and safe for them to be in the same room providing the security and confidentiality required by the Court in sensitive Children Act proceedings;
  • Smaller conference rooms in which a representative can sit alone in order to participate remotely in proceedings without the need to sit in the same room as a client, minimising risk to each individual;
  • This also provides the facility for clients who require the assistance and support of an intermediary or interpreter, allowing them to be in the same building, accessing the same video platform, but not the same room;
  • A fully trained team to conduct Private FDRs, including retired District Judges Arnold and Waterworth and Retired Circuit Judge HHJ Tyzack QC, alongside our wealth of fee paid judges in Chambers (Deputy District Judges and Recorders) as well as our well-respected team of finance practitioners. The Courts have been clear that FR cases are likely to be significantly delayed whilst priority is given to Children Act cases: Our clients do not need to wait for the Court to catch up with the inevitable and significant delays which will follow this crisis;
  • Our Direct Access barristers and clerking team remain fully set up and able to offer advice to clients in all disciplines. If you are struggling with the particular difficulties of cohabiting under the current Public Health guidelines and fear that you are unable to seek advice about a difficult situation then please contact us. We have experience of working remotely and discretely to ensure that you can still access advice and support.
  • We can also ensure that urgent applications designed to provide safeguarding for yourself and vulnerable dependents are made properly and promptly.

To talk to us please call – 01392 285 200

To email us please use – clerks@magdalenchambers.co.uk

Our hours are 8.30-6 Monday to Thursday and until 5.30 on Fridays.

Christmas and New Year opening times 2020/2021

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Wednesday 23rd – 8.30am – 6.00pm

Thursday 24th – Closed

Friday 25th – Closed

Monday 28th – Closed

Tuesday 29th – 10.00am -4.00pm

Wednesday 30th – 10.00am – 4.00pm

Thursday 31st – 10.00am – 4.00pm

Friday 1st – Closed

Monday 4th – 8.30am – 6.00pm

For Emergency Out of Hours contact please call our main telephone number and you will be transferred to our Out of Hours cover.

Members of Chambers and staff send very best wishes for a safe and happy festive period.

We welcome Liberty Crawford as a tenant of chambers.

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Members and clerks of chambers are delighted to congratulate Liberty following the successful completion of her specialist family law pupillage and we welcome her as a tenant of chambers.

Christian Gape, Head of the Family Team:-

“Liberty has very quickly gained a reputation as a skilled advocate with a client focused manner.  Liberty has attracted particular praise in family finance and private law children work where her robust but level-headed approach has gained plaudits from clients and colleagues alike.  I am very pleased to welcome her to Magdalen Chambers where she will add strength and depth to our busy family team.”

Chambers continued success with rankings in Chambers and Partners 2021

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Chambers are thrilled to achieve success for another year having been recognised by Chambers and Partners 2021. Over three areas of law, Employment, Family and Planning, six members have also been individually ranked together with recognition for the clerking team.

“The clerks are friendly, very helpful and will liaise directly with the court and other clerks regarding hearings if there is a clash. They are easy to deal with.” “Grainne McGovern, senior family clerk, is an excellent clerk providing information regarding fees and availability of counsel in a quick and efficient manner.”

Employment

Nigel Moore (Band 3)

“He is technically excellent, very experienced and a high-quality advocate.”

Family/Matrimonial

Christopher Naish (Band 1)

“He is articulate and gently persuasive, grabbing the ear of the judges, and his witness handling is second to none.” “He quickly and easily establishes an excellent working relationship with clients.”

Rupert Chapman (Band 2)

“He is very easy to deal with, extremely thorough and always has a good rapport with clients.”

Carol Mashembo (Band 2)

“She is a firm favourite to instruct in financial remedy proceedings given her great client care, bedside manner, her thoughtful preparation and her availability to deal with queries in a timely manner.” “She always adopts a meticulously thorough approach in dealing with matters, which puts everyone involved at ease.”

Elizabeth Willsteed (Band 3)

“She brought balance and insight into the case and was perceptive and unflappable.” “She’s a class act. She knows family law inside out and she is excellent in her knowledge.”

Planning

Gavin Collett (Band 2)

“Gavin is great for regulatory and prosecution matters.” “He is very personable and knowledgeable.”

Many congratulations to all involved.

Read more

Magdalen Chambers ranked as Leading Set by the Legal 500 2021

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Magdalen Chambers is delighted once again to be  recognised by the Legal 500 as a leading set on the Western Circuit in the Legal 500 UK Bar Guide 2021, with eight members of chambers individually ranked in their areas of expertise. Chambers is a recommended set on the Western Circuit in three categories – , Family and Children Law, Planning and Environment law and Property and Construction Disputes.

We are particularly proud that our family team has been promoted to Tier 2 in this year’s guide, reflecting as it does the continued growth and development of the team’s reputation and coverage.The authors of the guide wrote that:

“Magdalen Chambers has ‘an extremely strong family team‘ and offers ‘a wide range of barristers who without fail are top quality, therefore, they are usually my first phone call as they are helpful and friendly‘. Areas of expertise include private and public law children law, adoption, and financial remedy on divorce. At the senior end, Susan Campbell QC is an experienced silk, ‘popular with clients and has a gentle but persuasive manner; intellectually sharp‘. With a broad practice covering most areas, Christopher Naish is ‘calm, and approachable but has a rapier-sharp advocacy style which he can adapt to suit cases‘. Carol Mashembo is praised for having ‘attention to detail that is second to none‘ and for delivering ‘detailed and precise presentation in court‘, whether it be in relation to children matters or financial. Elizabeth Willsteed is a go-to for children law matters; for family financial dispute resolution matters and TOLATA cases, Rupert Chapman is ‘always meticulous in his preparation‘.”

Five members of the family team have been ranked as leading individuals:

  • Susan Campbell QC is ranked as a leading silk in Child Law (Public and Private): ‘She has an innate ability to put clients at ease in the most upsetting and trying situations. She goes the extra mile to ensure that clients feel that they have had their say but also that they understand the process.’;
  • Christopher Naish is ranked in Tier 1 for both Child Law and Financial Remedies: ‘In terms of numerous strengths, Mr Naish is technically excellent, has a quick mind and a very personable manner with clients. Such is his ability, I have complete confidence in whatever area of Family Law I instruct him in.’;
  • Joint head of chambers Rupert Chapman is ranked at Tier 2 for Financial Remedies: ’Rupert has a sharp analytical mind that suits him particularly well to complex and technical cases; in particular cases involving trusts and business assets. He is friendly and approachable and easy to work with as an instructing solicitor. Clients like him.’;
  • Carol Mashembo is rated as Tier 2 for both Child Law and Financial Remedies: ‘Good affinity with clients, gives clear and firm advice. Clients find her pleasant to work with. Excellent preparation and analysis of facts, issues and law. Detailed and precise presentation in court. Always prepared to go the extra yards to get the case right.’; and
  • Elizabeth Willsteed, ranked Tier 4 for Child Law: ‘a highly skilled and effective advocate in the courtroom producing concise written legal documents and excelling in submissions and cross examination. She is highly regarded amongst clients and solicitors alike.’

“Magdalen Chambers’ commercial, property, and Chancery team handles national cases as well as those on the Western Circuit. Russell James specialises in housing and homelessness work, acting often for clients with disabilities, as well as taking on landlord and tenant, as well as boundaries and easements work. Natasha Bellinger has particular expertise in social housing, specialising in possession claims, injunctions, and committals. She uses her practice in personal injury and environmental law to take on cross-discipline matters, such as occupier’s liability. Also of note, the set recently introduced a direct access platform.”

Three members of our civil team are individually recognised:

  • Natasha Bellinger is ranked at Tier 2 for Property and Construction: ‘Always very thoughtful and responsive. Pragmatic, thorough, and great with clients. Friendly and approachable and always willing to look into matters early on. Great on her feet.’
  • Gavin Collett is described as ‘highly experienced in planning, highways, and rights of way matters’; and
  • Russell James is rated as Tier 2 for Property and Construction: ‘Russell is our first choice for complex housing work.’;

Joint head of Chambers Rupert Chapman said ”While it is always encouraging to read positive reviews in the legal directories, this year’s edition of the Legal 500 reflects Magdalen Chambers’ continuing growth as one of the prominent sets in the South West for all forms of civil and family work. It is a testament to the hard work and adaptability of our barristers and clerks that chambers not only receives such positive feedback from our clients but that they show how we continue to go from strength to strength in even the most challenging of legal markets.”