Award-winning team with over seventy family 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 Queen’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 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.
Chambers & Partners 2021 directory - Band 2 - Midlands Circuit says: 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 & Partners 2021 - Band 2 - Western Circuit says: 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."
The Legal 500 UK Bar Directory 2021 acknowledges "3PB has a family team with ‘high-calibre barristers’", ranking the set in Tier 2 in Western and the Midlands and Tier 3 in South Eastern. This year, the team achieved a record 21 rankings across its Children Law and Divorce and Financial Remedies specialisms.
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 - a family team with ‘high-calibre barristers’.
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 UK Bar Directory 2018/19 - Western circuit says: "‘Excellent set’ 3PB’s family team is ‘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."
Legal 500 UK Bar Directory 2018/19 - Midlands circuit says: "3PB’s team has expertise across a broad range of family law matters, including matrimonial finance, international child abduction and relocation, as well as cases of fabricated and induced illnesses. Vanessa Meachin QC took silk in 2018."
Legal 500 UK Bar Directory 2018/19 - South Eastern circuit says: "At 3PB, members are adept at handling cross-jurisdictional cases, financial remedy matters and public and private children law issues, including cases of abduction and relocation."
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...
-
3PB's specialist family law practitioner Michael George (pictured here), was delighted to be asked to speak at the recent Brewin Dolphin Family Law Dinner. Held at St Anne's College, Oxford, the event was an enjoyable evening of drinks, food and stimulating conversation among peers in the family law community. Michael was one of three speakers who gave thoughtful updates in their field of expertise, with Michael offering insights on variation applications in financial remedy proceedings,...
Continue reading -
3PB's financial remedy specialist Michael George, pictured here, is featured in this month's Counsel magazine alongside Andrew Donaldson head of the Forensic Accounting Team at Dains Accountants. From the world of forensic accountancy, they present a checklist for barristers on valuing a business asset. With analogies relating to dogs and bones, this article really highlights the key areas to consider, including tips such as treating the company accountant's valuation with scepticism and considering quasi-partnerships carefully....
Continue reading -
3PB family barrister Luke Nelson, pictured here, will shortly see his review entitled "FRC efficiency statement – an update from the trenches" published in the June 2022 issue of Family Law. This article surveys the ‘lay of the land’, three months after the FRC Efficiency Statement. At its launch, the Efficiency Statement was heralded by some as a necessary step towards collaborative working in financial remedies. Others queried whether the front-loading brought about by its...
Continue reading -
Ahead of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 coming into force on 6 April this year, Hamish Dunlop and Poonam Bhari (pictured here), both senior juniors within 3PB’s family law team, hosted a webinar on the topic, aiming to provide background, context and guidance on the new legislation. The event attracted over one 1000 registrants. Hamish and Poonam have put together a Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 resources page where practitioners who might...
Continue reading -
3PB’s specialist family finance barrister Amy Beddis (pictured here) has been invited to contribute to the Financial Remedies Journal’s new Blog which recently launched. Headed by HHJ Edward Hess, the journal aims to promote serious and high-level debate and thought about the workings of the world of financial remedies, both substantively and procedurally and inside and outside of court. Read Amy’s first post, entitled “Armed Forces Pension Scheme: Points to Consider…”. View Amy Beddis' profile here....
Continue reading -
Specialist family barrister Amy Beddis explores how society can support single parents ahead of National Single Parents’ Day on 21 March. In this article she looks at how society can support single parents and separated families, what practical support is available and how finances can be affected causing additional challenges. The need (and wish) to work plays a huge part in those additional pressures; no more so than at the Bar. Amy looks at how...
Continue reading -
3PB’s specialist family and education law barrister Aimee Fox examines a number of cases in which recordings have been admitted and their impact on the proceedings for LexisNexis Family Law Journal. Aimee takes a closer look at the outcomes of the following high profile cases: Medway Council v A and Others (Learning Disability: Foster Placement) [2015] EWFC B66 Re F (Care Proceedings: Failures of Expert) [2016] EWHC 2149 (Fam), [2017] 1 FLR 1304 C (A...
Continue reading -
3PB’s specialist family law barrister, Lola-Rose Avery, pictured here, sees the courts likely to have to officiate in disputes arising from the UK Government approving COVID-19 vaccinations for children over the age of 5. In a highly-topical review of current case law and regulations, Lola-Rose looks at potential family law disputes between parents, grandparents and guardians over conflicting views about a child being given the vaccination. Recent cases have established the specific considerations that the...
Continue reading -
3PB family law barrister Lola-Rose Avery, pictured here, has published an article on the importance of role models for the Bar Council to coincide with International Women’s Day yesterday. In this article for the Bar Council's Women in Law blog series, Lola-Rose reflects on her own experiences looking up to and working alongside inspirational women throughout her journey to becoming and practising as a barrister in the UK. Lola-Rose also reflects upon her career as...
Continue reading -
Two barristers from 3PB's Financial Remedy Team, Michael George (pictured left) and Aimee Fox (pictured right) - have penned a review on variation applications for the latest issue of Family Law, contrasting the treatment of the applications for variations in income awards with those for non-income/capital provision. The feature reviews two key cases of BT v CU and T v T, offers a postscript on PAG Report 2019 and suggests several lessons learnt from these...
Continue reading -
3PB specialist family law barrister, Adeo Fraser (pictured here) has been shortlisted for ‘‘barrister of the year’’ at the 2022 Legal Awards by the Birmingham Law Society. Adeo Fraser is a busy family law barrister working from its ever-expanding Birmingham office. He advises and represents various parties on the full range of financial remedies, public and private law children disputes and is known for his pragmatic, robust approach and keen attention to detail, whilst remaining sensitive...
Continue reading -
3PB is delighted to announce that four of its barristers – Lydia Pemberton, Emma Southern, Nicola Talbot-Hadley and Steven Howard have been appointed as Recorders in today’s announcement (26 January 2022) from the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. Emma, who was called to the Bar in 2006, and Steven, called in 2009, are members of 3PB’s 75-strong team of family barristers at the national chambers. Lydia is a chancery and contentious probate barrister called in 2006 whilst...
Continue reading
-
The Family Court User’s Guide to DOLS and Allegations of Sexual Abuse
Date: Thursday 15th Sep 2022 Time: 4:45 pm - 6:30 pm FULLY BOOKED Please note this session is now fully booked. Please check back for details of an additional date or email us to be added to the waiting list. An in-person seminar from Duncan Lewis Solicitors in collaboration with 3PB Barristers and No5 Barristers Chambers alongside guest speaker District Judge Stephen Parker. Orla Grant, Barrister, No5 Barristers Chambers Sexual Abuse Allegations in Care Proceedings - From her extensive experience in cases involving allegations of sexual…
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.
The clerks are outstandingThomson Reuters