Our work covers all areas of family law, with particular expertise in the following areas:
Call: 1989
"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
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.
"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
'Fiona has great gravitas and brings her forensic expertise to cases, particularly her knowledge of pensions. She is also kind and empathetic with clients.'
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2024
‘Fiona has a stellar brain, and attention to detail and grasp of the technical issues, particularly regarding pensions. She is also very calm while being empathetic and strong in her advocacy when needed.’
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2024
“Fiona is extremely able and experienced. She is very adept in front of judges and has excellent client-handling skills.”
Chambers UK Bar 2023
‘Fiona is extremely able and experienced. She is very adept in front of judges and carries excellent client handling skills. High intellect combined with humanity which is a rare combination.’
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2023
"An extremely polished advocate, erudite and analytical. An iron fist in a velvet glove. Even the most demanding clients warm to Fiona's serene but powerful style." "An elegant advocate with gravitas. Calm, considered, wise and astute."
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2022
Family Law News recently posted an older case of Fiona’s in which she achieved a very good result.
Fiona, instructed by John Welch & Stammers solicitors, for the successful Appellant husband…
We are delighted to have been ranked in Band 1 – Family/Matrimonial on the South Eastern circuit in the Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2024 where we are described…
We are delighted to have been ranked as a top tier set in The Legal 500 where Harcourt is described as an ‘…an excellent set. They have a great number…