Our work covers all areas of family law, with particular expertise in the following areas:
Call: 2004
'Suzanne Syme is warm with the client but so fierce in her representation of them. She commands the court.'
Chambers UK Bar 2027
Suzanne specialises in financial remedy cases and all aspects of private family law, appearing before all tribunals up to the Court of Appeal. She regularly delivers lectures to professional clients and Chambers on current or topical issues in family law.
Suzanne has a loyal following from her professional clients. She has established a solid reputation for providing sensible, practical, pragmatic and, where necessary, robust advice to clients however complex or difficult the circumstances.
To instruct Suzanne or for more information…
Call: 020 7353 6961
Email: clerks@harcourtchambers.co.uk
Family Finance & Financial Remedy
Suzanne has specialised in matrimonial finance and the financial consequences of relationship breakdown since her pupillage, including Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 and the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996. She has extensive experience of cases where complexities arise due to the nature or location of the parties’ assets, the source of their income or where there is intervention by a third party, including trusts.
She has developed a particular interest in pension provision on divorce and regularly represents parties where there is a significant pension provision, both public sector and private sector pensions which require detailed investigation and analysis.
Suzanne has also acted as an expert witness in the field of matrimonial finance when there is an inter-relationship involving personal injury or other civil claim.
Suzanne was led by Edward Devereux KC in this complex case with cross-jurisdictional proceedings for both finance and children matters.
The financial elements were complicated as they involved a high net worth individual and assets outside of the UK.
After much negotiation, the substantive matter settled.
Suzanne was instructed on behalf of the husband for the first year of the proceedings.
Declaration as to marital status.
Suzanne appeared as junior counsel for the Respondent Wife in this matter. The Husband sought permission to appeal the decision of Bennett J relating to the variation of a school fees component of a consent order for ancillary relief. Bennett J had ordered the Husband to pre-pay the entirety of the school fees for the parties’ two boys until the completion of their secondary education by lump sum provision of £272,771. This is the first example of a substantial capitalisation of a school fees order.
The Husband’s appeal was allowed in part on the basis of fresh evidence adduced by him outlining his deteriorating health. However, the Court of Appeal reaffirmed the need for security for the future of the boys’ private education, in particular due to the Husband’s previous bad conduct.
'Suzanne listens to her clients' aims and objectives, and provides them with pragmatic and realistic advice. She's a pleasure to work with and has a brilliant bedside manner.'
'Suzanne Syme is tenacious and robust in court and also very personable. Her preparation was excellent.'
'Suzanne Syme is my go-to for all of my financial matters. She has an amazing way of putting clients at ease, making them comfortable and breaking things down into manageable pieces.'
'Suzanne is a leading expert in financial remedy work and a thoroughly good arbitrator as well.'
'Suzanne's skills, preparation and knowledge of the law mean she is able to achieve great outcomes.'
'Suzanne is a pleasure to work with. She is highly responsible and goes the extra mile for the client.'
'Suzanne gives practical, solid and commercial advice.'
Chambers UK Bar 2027
'Suzanne has an inner steel with the client's best interests front and centre; she does not shy away from making her client's case. Clients also leave court knowing they have been heard, yet Suzanne does this in such an eloquent and calm manner.'
Legal 500 UK Bar 2027
'Suzanne is a great advocate that is great at dealing with the most difficult cases. She is robust when necessary and will put the best case forward for the client.'
Chambers UK Bar 2026
'Suzanne's ability to work collaboratively with opposing counsel outside of court and her fierceness inside court is remarkable.'
'Suzanne is a great advocate, is on top of her papers and is sensible to deal with.'
'Suzanne is a fierce advocate; she fights for her clients and gives her all.'
'Suzanne is technically very capable and confident; she scrutinises her case papers and misses nothing.'
Chambers UK Bar 2026
‘Suzanne is a determined advocate who picks up on the smallest of details and will fight the client's corner until the end.'
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026
‘Suzanne is a very capable barrister who has a very engaging manner and is always brilliantly prepared. She does not take bad points and has very good judgement such that she fights her cases proportionately for her clients.’
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026
Harcourt Chambers is delighted to announce its impressive achievements in the latest edition of Chambers and Partners, published today. The 2027 rankings highlight Harcourt’s reputation as one of the leading…
Harcourt Chambers’ Suzanne Syme MCIArb will join Rachel Lemon and Corinne Parke, Partners at Keystone Law, for a live webinar exploring Family Law ADR in Practice: Mediation, Arbitration & Smarter…
