Our work covers all areas of family law, with particular expertise in the following areas:
Call: 1989
'Fiona is an exceptional barrister. She works supportively and collaboratively with those instructing her and delivers crystal clear advice to clients in a very human way.'
Chambers UK Bar 2025
Fiona is an experienced family law specialist with a reputation for measured pragmatism and calm authority in her advocacy. She focuses exclusively on financial remedy cases where she applies her widely recognised financial expertise to secure practical solutions for her clients, particularly in cases featuring disputes over pension entitlements. Her approach balances empathy and support for her clients with robust and skilful advocacy.
Fiona has a strong interest in Alternative Dispute Resolution. She is an experienced Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR) advocate and her calm, pragmatic approach has earned plaudits. Fiona also sits as a judge in Private FDRs – a mechanism that she strongly favours for its effectiveness in delivering workable agreements with minimal distress to the parties involved.
Since January 2013, she has been authorised to sit in the High Court, pursuant to s9 Senior Courts Act 1981 and she has been a Recorder on the Midland Circuit since 2009.
Fiona lectures for Jordan’s Family Law on issues relating to pensions and divorce and is author or co-author of several of the leading guides on this topic (see below).
She is also a panel member for Advocate, the Bar’s pro bono unit.
To instruct Fiona or for more information…
Call: 020 7353 6961
Email: clerks@harcourtchambers.co.uk
Fiona is an experienced matrimonial finance practitioner and has developed a particular expertise in cases featuring disputes over pension entitlements and family businesses following separation and divorce. She has a strong interest in Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Fiona is an accomplished FDR advocate and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. She is also available for private financial dispute resolution appointments and early neutral evaluations. She recommends the private FDR route as an effective and time-efficient means of resolving disputes away from the potentially intimidating and adversarial formality of the courtroom.
Her practice also boasts a strong international element, particularly with regards to Part III proceedings.
Represented Appellant husband. Appeal by husband against financial remedies order which awarded 90% of the assets to Wife, on the basis of her needs. Appeal allowed, and order made awarding Wife 60% of the assets.
Cohen J. Enforcement (committal and property transfer) and variation issues following financial remedy orders made by Baker J.
Roberts J judgment in financial remedy proceedings involving beneficial ownership of properties, intervenors, a pre-existing agreement in Egypt and meta data and handwriting evidence.
Judgment involving the impact of a party’s potentially substantially reduced life expectancy in financial remedy proceedings particularly with regard to pension sharing.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Fiona has a strong interest in Alternative Dispute Resolution. She is an experienced Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR) advocate and her calm, pragmatic approach has earned plaudits. Fiona also sits as a judge in Private FDRs – a mechanism that she strongly favours for its effectiveness in delivering workable agreements with minimal distress to the parties involved.
“A wise and experienced private FDR judge who understood the client and how to tailor her indication to maximise the chance of a settlement. Meticulously prepared, she offered to stay late into the evening to help the clients reach settlement. Both clients and both sets of lawyers were very impressed.” – Chambers UK Bar 2024
“She’s very good both at establishing an excellent atmosphere during the FDR and explaining to the clients what can be quite tricky concepts.” – Chambers UK Bar 2024
Fiona is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public under the Direct Access Scheme in appropriate circumstances.
'She really seems to to understand the dynamics in the case and the motivations of both parties. At the same time she's very technical and analytical.'
'She is meticulously prepared, persuasive in her indication and very able to communicate to the parties in a manner they will understand and taken on board, even if this is not what they want to hear.'
'She is a technically very gifted barrister, who is fast becoming one of the go-to tribunals for private hearings.'
Chambers UK Bar 2025
'Fiona is a consummate professional. Her advice is sound and to the point, which solicitors and clients really value.'
'Fiona is an excellent advocate. She gives very clear advice, is very user-friendly and has a great bedside manner.'
'Great with clients and someone who adopts a very sensible approach to cases. Her attention to detail is fantastic.'
'She has an incredible ability to remain calm and articulate in the most difficult of cases and circumstances.'
Chambers UK Bar 2025
‘Fiona is incredibly knowledgeable, calm and firm. A gentle assassin in court.’
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2025
‘Fiona is an exemplary evaluator. Her indications are clear and logical, she is on top of the law, and her judgement is excellent. She is a safe pair of hands for tricky and technical financial remedy cases.’
'Fiona is knowledgeable in complex financial remedy cases. She has great attention to detail, coupled with an excellent strategic vision.'
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2025
"Reassuringly confident and calm, and has the presence and clout of a KC. She's wonderful with clients and has a great eye for detail."
Chambers UK Bar 2024
"A wise and experienced private FDR judge who understood the client and how to tailor her indication to maximise the chance of a settlement. Meticulously prepared, she offered to stay late into the evening to help the clients reach settlement. Both clients and both sets of lawyers were very impressed."
"She's very good both at establishing an excellent atmosphere during the FDR and explaining to the clients what can be quite tricky concepts."
"She is succinct in the delivery of her submissions both oral and written, and has great experience and gravitas."
"She's very kind and sensitive, and also great on her feet in terms of her advocacy."
Chambers UK Bar 2024
This was a decision of Recorder Fiona Hay of Harcourt Chambers sitting as a s. 9 Deputy High Court Judge.
In a wide ranging judgment on financial remedies the learned…
We were delighted that three of our barristers — Fiona Hay, Siân Cox and David Marusza — spoke at the Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire Resolution Day yesterday.
It was a…
This list acknowledges those in the legal profession who have dedicated a minimum of 25 hours to pro bono legal work over the past year, this year’s inclusion features esteemed…