Award-winning team with over seventy family law barristers practising across the UK
3PB is a highly respected family law chambers, with specialist family barristers advising and representing clients throughout the UK and overseas. Our family team, including trained mediators, those with part time judicial appointments, and King's Counsel, provide skilled advice and representation in all tiers of Court up to the Supreme Court.
We are known for our friendly professional approach and are recognised as experts in financial provision (divorce, cohabitation and death), child arrangements orders, property disputes, childcare / adoption, judicial review, professional negligence, regulatory matters, incapacity / Court of Protection welfare issues, international children’s issues and human rights.
The family law team acts for individuals, local authorities, care organisations and charities. The set boasts an outstanding reputation in both public and private law children work, including complicated care proceedings.
As a family chambers 3PB has an exceptional record in financial remedy cases, including business and farming assets, in partnership with 3PB’s specialist probate team including contentious probate. Details on 3PB’s probate specialists can be found here.
We are now able to offer a remote Private FDR (financial dispute resolution) Hearing using simple and secure technology. Find out more here.
We work hard to achieve the best possible result, whether through careful negotiation or contested trials, our preparation and excellent advocacy sets us apart.
Legal 500 lists 30 of the “exceptional” 3PB Family law team as Leading Juniors, with 3 leading Silks and 49 listings in total 3PB is acknowledged as the “go-to chambers for family work with a good range of practitioners from junior through to silks.”3PB is a "very professional, approachable and friendly set" and is described as a "solid chambers with good barristers," “The set as a whole provides excellent service with a wealth of knowledge and high caliber barristers”’ As well as counsel being “very friendly and down to earth.” In 2021 the team achieved a record 21 rankings across its Children Law and Divorce and Financial Remedies specialisms. Chambers & Partners states that 3PB Barristers is a “well-regarded set with a formidable reputation is matrimonial finance and children’s cases, encompassing both public and private mandates.” 3PBs Family barristers are known for their “meticulous preparation, robust advocacy and unrivalled client care.” 3PB is a highly reputed set with eminent advocates appearing in matrimonial finance and children law cases. "The Barristers at 3PB are a formidable bunch, they are extremely strong and able to grasp complex issues quickly. They are able to deal with any issues in a sophisticated and compassionate manner." Matters of a sensitive nature, including sexual abuse, FGM issues, non-accidental injuries, parental alienation and international abduction, are regularly handled. Chambers and Partners states that “The whole 3PB clerking team have an excellent reputation. The ability of 3PB to manage matters in a professional and comprehensive manner is second to none.” The set is also well versed in financial proceedings, such as representing clients in cases with complex business and trust arrangements. The set is "one of the best from the point of view of quality of counsel, good service and good administration, the knowledge and experience of the barristers is extraordinary."
Team members are available to work out of any of our six offices in London, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Oxford and Winchester; we also offer state-of-the-art technology for remote meetings.
The group's practice management team can be contacted by email here.
Our Family Barristers...
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His Honour Stephen Wildblood KC, who retired as a Circuit Judge on Tuesday 21st November, has announced that he is joining national chambers 3PB (3 Paper Buildings) with immediate effect as an associate tenant. Stephen will be accepting appointments as a Private FDR Judge and, in relation to finances and children, as a mediator and early neutral evaluator. He is also intending to qualify as family law arbitrator in the immediate future. He will continue...
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3PB family and private client barrister Luke Nelson (pictured here) successfully appealed an earlier judgment in financial remedy proceedings. Luke's client was the intervenor: the beneficiary of a charging order arising out of a personal injury award due to historical sexual abuse by her uncle, the husband in the present proceedings. He is now serving a custodial sentence for her rape. The appeal was heard in Birmingham before HHJ Ingram, and Luke was instructed by...
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3PB is proud to announce that family barrister Poonam Bhari (pictured here) has been re-appointed by The Lord Chancellor to the Family Procedure Rule Committee (FPRC). Poonam has been re-appointed for a further 3 years from 28 February 2024, alongside solicitor Graeme Fraser and fellow barrister Rhys Taylor. Poonam Bhari is a family law barrister, called in 1999, specialising in public and private family law cases involving children. Poonam is based at 3PB's Inner Temple...
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National chambers 3PB (3 Paper Buildings) continue their Birmingham expansion with the recruitment of senior family finance barrister Roger Thomas from St Ives Chambers in Birmingham. Roger Thomas is a busy family barrister who has been representing litigants in financial remedy cases for nearly 25 years in disputes under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, the Civil Partnership Act 2004 and cohabiting couples under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996. A financial...
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3PB Barristers’ Family Law team has been rewarded with 22 individual rankings in this year’s Chambers and Partners edition published today. The team is once again rewarded with Band 1 rankings for both Family Children and Family Finance in the Midlands. Our barristers also retain their Band 2 ranking in Western. To well-deserved accolades in the London Bar, the team now also adds a ranking in South Eastern. 3PB’s national team thanks the clients and...
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3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings) breaks another record in the latest edition of Chambers and Partners with a total of 81 accolades. The national set is rewarded with rankings in 18 areas of law, in the London Bar as well as in the South Eastern, Western and Midlands Circuits and exceptional comments on its service delivery, including praise for its “sublime service” and its "ability to manage matters in a professional and comprehensive manner second...
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3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings) are delighted to announce that former family solicitor David Beatson – who qualified as a solicitor in 2017 with a well-known law firm in the South-West of England - has become a tenant with the national chambers. David will continue to specialise in family law, principally public and private law disputes concerning children. Family barrister David Beatson (call:2022), pictured here, was a solicitor-advocate before becoming a barrister and completed a...
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Senior family barrister Susan Todd, pictured here, has joined 3PB (3 Paper Buildings) from St Philips Chambers today and will work from the national chambers' Birmingham office. Called to the Bar in 1991, Susan has specialised in public and private law children cases for over thirty years. She works in the Family Court and the Family Division for parents, grandparents, intervenors and children's guardians. She prides herself on providing a committed service to every client,...
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3PB’s Family Law team now tops 3 categories in the Legal 500. The team has been awarded TOP TIER – in the Midlands, for Family: children and domestic violence and for Family: divorce and financial remedy as well as TOP TIER – in the Western circuit for Family: children and domestic violence. The Western team’s family finance barristers are awarded tier 2. 36 of our family barristers have been awarded a total of 51 rankings...
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3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings), the UK's third largest chambers, is delighted to report this year again an outstanding number of rankings - totalling 145 - in the Legal 500 2024’s edition published today, a 12% increase on last year’s 130. The set has achieved its rankings across 5 large UK regions - or Circuits (London, South Eastern, Western, Midlands and Chester and Wales) - in 21 areas of law. 3PB is also ranked in...
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The four pupils starting their twelve-month pupillages, pictured left to right from the top, are: former global brand strategy director and behavioural science researcher Alice Horn who be focusing on commercial litigation and arbitration; former legal assistant Jack Felvus who will be focusing on public law and regulatory matters and criminal law; fellow legal assistant Laurie-Elizabeth Ketley will be focusing on family law and civil disputes; and former City financial analyst Suffian Hussain who will...
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3PB are pleased to announce that their four 12-month pupil barristers - Poppy Watson, Liz Adams, Emma Greening and Dr Angel Matoke-Njagi (pictured left to right from the top) - have all successfully completed their pupillages today and become tenants with the 240-barrister, national chambers. Former in-house energy lawyer Poppy Watson (call:2021) is joining 3PB's London office and will be focusing on commercial litigation and arbitration. Former in-house lawyer and domestic violence and disability campaigner...
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3PB Family's Second Annual Private Law Children and Financial Remedies Conference
Date: Thursday 25th Apr 2024 Time: 8:45 am - 5:00 pm Venue: The Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 2EP 3PB's Family Law Group invite you to our second annual full-day Private Law Children & Financial Remedies Conference on Thursday 25th April 2024 at The Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Centenary Square, Birmingham. We are pleased to announce our keynote speaker on Financial Remedies is Mr Justice Peel. Mr Justice Peel is a High Court Judge of the Family Division and National Lead Judge of the Financial Remedy Court. Other presentations during the day will come from…
Recommendations
Chambers UK 2022 - Midlands
3PB Barristers is a well-regarded set with a formidable reputation in matrimonial finance and children cases, encompassing both public and private mandates. Its members act for private individuals and local authorities in children matters concerning non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse, religious indoctrination, parental alienation and placement orders. Practitioners offer expertise in a range of matrimonial finance mandates, including financial remedies featuring complex portfolios and cross-border assets, in addition to culturally sensitive matters involving Shari'a law and dowries. A source notes that "you are offered a personal and prioritised service" at 3PB.
Client service:
"Practice director Ian Charlton is a well-known and respected clerk, often going above and beyond to assist in any way that he can." "The clerks offer the barrister they believe is genuinely right for the case." "The clerks are always helpful, polite and willing to assist." Robert Leonard and Ian Charlton are the family practice directors.
Chambers UK 2022 - Western Bar
3PB has a well-recognised family and matrimonial practice which takes in both children and finance work. Its barristers routinely undertake children law mandates involving sexual and domestic abuse and non-accidental injury, and also handle relocation and adoption matters often before the High Court. Members also receive instructions in complex financial disputes. One source reports: "The set has great depth of counsel and so there is always someone available with the right skills and experience. All the counsel provide excellent client care."
Client service:
"They are the most approachable clerking team I have ever worked with and hugely helpful with regard to communications and management of papers and arrangements." "They have a very efficient clerking team. Always on the ball and never let you down." Robert Leonard and Ian Charlton are the family practice directors.
Legal 500 2022
‘3PB is a spectacular set of chambers with so much strength and depth.’
‘Very good set for family law, with some very experienced counsel. A number of training programmes have been provided and these are always very engaging and informative.’
‘The set exudes calm, personable professionalism. Second to none training and CPD programs for solicitors.’
'3PB's members have solid expertise across the range of family law matters'
‘A highly professional set‘.
‘A good set of chambers for care proceedings‘.
‘A good, solid set‘.
‘The quality of counsel at all levels is always excellent‘.
Chambers UK 2021- Midlands Circuit
3PB Barristers is a highly reputed set with eminent advocates appearing in matrimonial finance and children law cases. Many of its practitioners offer valuable expertise in both public and private law matters. Matters of a sensitive nature, including sexual abuse, FGM issues, non-accidental injuries, parental alienation and international abduction, are regularly handled. The set is well versed in financial proceedings, such as representing clients in cases with complex business and trust arrangements. The set is described as "one of the best from the point of view of quality of counsel, good service and good administration."
Client service: "The knowledge and experience of the barristers with the support of their clerking team is extraordinary." "The clerks are excellent and trustworthy in their recommendations." "The clerking at 3PB is excellent. The clerks are efficient and proactive. They work well as a team and give second-to-none customer service." Robert Leonard and Ian Charlton are the family practice directors.
Chambers UK 2021 - Western Circuit
3PB has a well-recognised family and matrimonial practice that takes in both children and finance work. Its barristers routinely undertake children law mandates involving sexual and domestic abuse and non-accidental injury, and also handle relocation and adoption matters often before the High Court. Members also receive instructions in complex financial disputes. Sources laud the barristers' "integrity, approachability and high quality of advice and advocacy." One interviewee says: "It is a well-respected, organised set of chambers and its barristers all complement each other very well."
Client service: "The set is a very efficient and well-oiled machine in how it operates. The clerks are always warm and friendly and work hard to manage diaries and provide counsel to suit instructing solicitors' needs, whatever the case." "They are very responsive and always willing to go the extra mile in terms of finding counsel in urgent situations."
Legal 500 2021
"a family team with ‘high-calibre barristers’"
Legal 500 2021 - Midlands
3PB is primarily known in the Midlands for its contingent of care-focused barristers, whose practice involves serious non accidental injuries, sexual abuse allegations, adoption orders and more for the full range of parties including local authorities, parents and children. However, the set also houses several barristers with experience in financial remedy proceedings.
Legal 500 2021
"Members of 3PB receive instructions from family members, local authorities, deputies, protected parties as well as the Official Solicitor, with areas of expertise including deputyship order matters, deprivation of liberty applications and broader mental capacity issues. In particular, the set has been 'traditionally focused on community care through judicial review, however the addition of Matthew Wyard to the team has given real fire power to their Court of Protection offering in Wales.'"
Legal 500 2021 - South Eastern
"The set, whose members are instructed by both well-respected private client and Legal Aid firms alike, has 'great depth of knowledge and a greater ability to cover matters around the country'. "
Legal 500 2020
Legal 500 UK Bar Directory 2020 - Midlands circuit says: 3PB is rapidly developing its presence on circuit, with some viewing it as 'a go-to set for family finance work'. Members are also instructed on complex public law proceedings involving non-accidental injuries, care arrangements, and fabricated or induced illnesses, as well as private law proceedings dealing with contact, alienation, and relocation. 3PB (Birmingham) is ranked Tier 3.
Legal 500 UK Bar Directory 2020 - South Eastern circuit says: 3PB is praised for its ability to 'meet a variety of client needs from the basic to the complex' and its 'very knowledgeable' members. Nicola Martin is instructed on both financial remedy claims and children act cases, with a particular specialism in applications for international relocation, while James Legg is particularly notable for his work in public law children cases.
Legal 500 UK Bar Directory 2020 - Western circuit says: 3PB has 'exceptional depth in family law', and is praised by clients as 'an exceptional set' which 'overshadows its peers'. The set is home to members who specialise in all areas of family law, including complex care proceedings and high-value financial disputes. Hamish Dunlop, as junior to Nigel Dyer QC, represented the husband in Supreme Court Case Owens v Owens, which considered the legal requirements for divorce without spousal consent.
Legal 500 2020
A family team with ‘high-calibre barristers’.
In Birmingham, practice director Ian Charlton is ‘the warmest, most caring clerk – he will do everything possible to help solicitors find appropriate counsel’.
Practice director Robert Leonard ‘runs a tight ship and will always bend over backwards when solicitors need counsel at short notice’.
"The combined clerks’ room across the set’s six offices is a ‘well-oiled machine’."
Chambers UK 2020 - Midlands Circuit
3PB Barristers has built a notable presence in the Midlands, advising across the full spectrum of family and matrimonial law. Their barristers provide comprehensive advice on private law matters, including issues involving parental alienation and residency, as well as counsel on obtaining non-molestation orders. The set also houses public law specialists who act in cases regarding the death of a child, fabricated illness and sexual abuse, including those involving complex medical evidence and issues of human rights. Its members also provide comprehensive experience across matrimonial finance disputes, regularly acting in cases involving multi-jurisdictional proceedings and assets.
Client service: "In the professionalism of their clerking and the range of counsel available, I have never failed to be impressed by 3PB." "They are well organised and forward-thinking." "My overall impression is excellent, from clerks to counsel and everything in between. They have fantastic teamwork." Robert Leonard and Ian Charlton are family practice directors.
Chambers UK 2020 - Western Circuit
3PB houses a strong family law team whose experience spans all aspects of the market. Barristers at this set have particular expertise in Court of Protection matters, and frequently work with vulnerable clients. The set also takes on financial disputes, with members appearing at all levels of the judicial system. The last year has seen the group grow even further, with three new barristers added to the family team. "They are certainly my first choice for chambers when I am looking to instruct counsel, "confirms one source, while another highlights their "good range of expertise, which you need to be able to function well."
Client service: The clerking team is lead by Mark Heath. "The clerks are very helpful and are always willing to go the extra mile to help." "I have a very high opinion of the whole set. The clerks are always friendly and helpful."
Chambers UK 2019
3PB has a substantial team of family law barristers specialising in matrimonial finance as well as public and private law children matters. Members provide parents, guardians, local authorities and other clients with representation in litigation and ADR proceedings, including cases with international components. Their instructions touch on a vast array of topics including TOLATA, abuse, injury, addiction and mental health. Barristers at the set are effective at obtaining and resisting court injunctions such as freezing orders and non-molestation orders. A source affirms that 3PB has "a good range of experience" and that the counsel are "of very good quality."
Chambers UK 2019
Client service: "The clerks are helpful and efficient and have a can-do attitude." "I have always had a very good and reliable service from 3PB."
Legal 500 2018/19
"3PB's team has expertise across a broad range of family matters, including matrimonial finance, international child abduction and relocation, as well as cases of fabricated and induced illnesses. Vanessa Meachin took silk in 2018. This is an "excellent set" with the family team being 'very strong on both financial specialists and child law specialists'.
Key areas of instruction include matrimonial finance, child abduction, non-accidental injuries, domestic and sexual abuse cases and care and placement applications, among others. In a major highlight for the set, Hamish Dunlop appeared in the Supreme Court in the high-profile Owens v Owens divorce case; the key issue is whether the current divorce laws should be reformed to allow no-fault divorce. In June 2018 Simon Lillington joined from College Chambers.
Chambers UK 2018
3PB Barristers is noted in the region for its expertise dealing with family matters at all levels of courts. Members regularly represent authorities, parents and guardians in public law cases involving matters such as non-accidental injuries, domestic abuse and mental health issues. The set is also acknowledged for its strength in matrimonial financial cases, including cases arising from divorce or the separation of unmarried couples. Private children law is also part of the regular practice. One instructing solicitor reports: "3PB are the most efficient, friendly and professional set that I have worked with, and this includes the clerks as well as the barristers themselves."
Chambers UK 2018
Client service: "3PB is a well-renowned set covering all areas of family law. Their clerks are helpful and friendly, and I have not had any criticisms of them." "The clerks are very professional and all try to help."
Legal 500 2017
“You always get a great service from [the family team at] this set.”
Legal 500 2017
The family law counsel at 3PB are ‘always the right choice’. The set is able to handle the full range of family and children law matters including family finance, property-related disputes, and private and public law children cases.
Chambers UK 2017
3PB Barristers enjoys a strengthening reputation in the area of family law, and fields an experienced group with a history of acting for clients in a wide range of matters. Members are engaged on significant public and private children law cases and the set also offers a dedicated family financial and property team. In addition to its litigation prowess, 3PB is also skilled at taking clients through the process of ADR.
Chambers UK 2017
The clerks are always ready and willing to help." "If there is anything that concerns me, I know I can bring it to the clerks' attention and it is dealt with discreetly and efficiently.
Legal 500 2017
The ‘very approachable team’ at 3PB, which is one of the largest on circuit. The set deals with the full range of cases and has a growing Court of Protection practice.
clerks are totally dependableLegal 500