Imogen Robins MCIArb

Imogen is a distinguished family law specialist renowned for her expertise in family finance, serving high-net-worth (HNW) divorcing couples. Her practice centres on handling complex financial cases, which include inherited wealth, property portfolios, family businesses, significant pensions, trusts, and pre-nuptial agreements. She is also instructed in cases under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989.

Imogen stands out for her adept management of international family cases, which frequently involve foreign assets, with recent examples including Nigeria, USA, and Mauritius. Her written documents are persuasive and she produces compelling arguments on her clients’ behalf.

Imogen’s commitment to responsive client care is exemplary. She prioritises her clients’ needs, offering guidance and support throughout the legal process. Imogen is a solutions-focused barrister, she aims to work collaboratively with solicitors and clients to achieve the optimum outcome. Her advocacy skills come to the fore during negotiations and final hearings, where she skilfully and  robustly represents her clients’ best interests. A recent client described her as “absolutely brilliant, both professionally and personally”. She is happy to advise at the commencement of a case and act as a sounding board in the initial stages.

In addition to her core practice, Imogen has a keen interest in non-court dispute resolution. She is an arbitrator, carefully resolving family disputes through the alternative dispute resolution process. She undertakes the role of evaluator in private Financial Dispute Resolutions (pFDR).

Imogen was instructed as appellate counsel to appeal an arbitral award, following the decision in Haley v Haley [2020] EWCA Civ 1369. She achieved a successful outcome.

In private law children cases, Imogen’s work is centred on representing clients in complex and significant cases. These include allegations of coercive and controlling behaviours, domestic abuse, parental alienation and intractable contact disputes, where expert evidence is required from psychologists or other professional experts.  Her cases often have an international and cross-jurisdictional element. Imogen’s work includes both internal and external relocation cases, where permission is sought to take a child to another part of the country or abroad.

Imogen regularly writes and lectures in her field of expertise.

Recent Client Testimonials

Unsolicited recommendation from a partner in a leading law firm, following a final hearing in a contested financial remedies case with assets outside of the jurisdiction – February 2024

“I just wanted to say that Imogen did a fantastic job. She came alive in court and did an excellent job. I would definitely instruct Imogen again.”

Unsolicited testimonial from a client following a financial remedies case 2023.

“I am so grateful for all the hard work you put into my case. I thought you were absolutely brilliant, both professionally and personally. You really took time for me and made me feel safe and comfortable. I also thought you did brilliantly in front of the judge.” 

Unsolicited testimonial from a client following settlement of a financial remedies case – 2023.

“Thank you for all your guidance during 2023 it made a big difference.”

Testimonial from a client following the settlement of  financial remedies case  – 2022.

“Whilst playing only a relatively small part in the process of my divorce Imogen made a huge difference in achieving a positive outcome for me. She was very clear about what could realistically be achieved so there would be no surprises. She went out of her way to make me feel supported and understand the process I was going to experience during the court hearing. She had taken the time to fully understand what had been happening in my case and went above and beyond to clarify to the judge what I was asking for and why. It really did make a huge difference and her preparation, I feel, was the major factor in finally reaching an agreement with my now ex-husband.

She made sure that I wasn’t on my own at the end of a zoom call, booking me into her offices where I could be fully supported. It also meant that we could have face-to-face discussions and come to rapid agreements that brought about a swift end to what had turned into an extremely long, emotional and difficult process.

I cannot speak highly enough of her or thank her enough for the compassion she showed me on that exceptionally difficult day.” 

Reference from a client in a contested fact-finding hearing where findings were made of domestic abuse – 2023.

“”Imogen was at first just the name of a barrister with a good reputation and wealth of experience recommended as just what I needed for my case; a barrister that two separate solicitors—from two completely different firms—had mentioned as their first choice for the family court I would be attending. 

My case was a complex and difficult one. The bundle was in excess of 1.5k A4 sheets of paper; much of it was not easy reading. Yet despite all of this, Imogen took her duty of care very seriously and seized the task with both hands, getting to work, diligently acquainting herself with the case. It would have been impossible to do this without dedicating a great deal of time and effort. At times it felt like it was her own personal case, one that she cared genuinely about. This goes a long way when it feels like your whole life and the well-being of loved ones are at stake. More than that, Imogen shared her wealth of knowledge in a timely and relatable fashion, explaining the process in just the right amount of detail as she went. During the actual hearing, I was deeply thankful for the way Imogen commanded the courtroom, while all the time remaining respectful and cordial to the other party. It really is an art that Imogen has perfected. 

I felt understood; as explained earlier, my case felt like her own; yet Imogen did not spare me the reality of my situation and of the possible outcomes, both positive and negative. I found Imogen’s open demeanour attentive, kind and considerate at all times. The hearing lasted over half the week and Imogen remained reassuringly consistent in her approach with everyone around her. Although it is often said that you are your own expert in the case since it is yours, there were times Imogen picked up on a point even I, with all my knowledge of the case (since I was the one who lived it), had overlooked. Her tireless attention to detail and ability to pull threads together was remarkable and made all the difference to the outcome. Imogen is a credit to her profession and I will always be grateful that she took my case on and gave it her all the way she did. I would highly recommend Imogen to anyone who wants the best of both worlds; compassionate, clear communication, combined with wealth of knowledge and experience, second to none.”

She is a regular contributor to Family Law LexisNexis: The evolution of spousal maintenance – where are we now? February 2020 and financial remedies after Covid-19, what can we expect? The founder of the Pump Court Breakfast Briefing she hosts lively and informative events for family law professionals.