Call: 2009
Specialist Family Law Barrister – Financial Remedies & Cohabitation Disputes
Stuart specialises in financial remedy and cohabitation disputes. He is recognised for his clear, practical, and commercially astute advice, and is praised for guiding clients through complex financial proceedings with empathy, precision, and strategic insight.
Stuart is described in The Legal 500 (2025) as:
“An exceptional barrister. He is always brilliantly prepared and approaches difficult cases with the same time and care.”
“[He has] a great depth of legal and practical knowledge that reassures clients.”
Stuart works collaboratively with solicitors and places a strong emphasis on achieving negotiated settlements on the best possible terms. He actively encourages the use of Non-Court based Dispute Resolution (NCDR), where suitable. Stuart is known for his calm and confident courtroom presence, meticulous preparation, and robust advocacy.
His practice covers all aspects of financial remedy law, including cases involving substantial assets, business structures, third-party interests, and international elements. He also has extensive experience in cohabitation disputes under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TLATA) and Schedule 1 claims.
Stuart is available for instruction at all stages of proceedings and is committed to resolving disputes efficiently—whether through litigation, arbitration, negotiation, or private Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR). He is approachable, responsible, and focussed on achieving workable outcomes for clients.
Stuart has appeared in the Court of Appeal (Boys & Maugham (a firm) v Moore [2020] EWCA Civ 1860). He also accepts instructions on a direct Public Access basis where appropriate, allowing members of the public to instruct him directly without a solicitor in some cases.
Financial Remedies
Stuart advises and represents clients in a wide range of financial remedy disputes, regularly appearing at all stages of proceedings. He places particular emphasis on early settlement and works closely with solicitors to develop pragmatic, client-focused litigation strategies.
His expertise includes:
Recent work includes successfully securing an unequal division of the family home in a long marriage due to non-matrimonial contributions, securing a substantial discount on the value of a business at a pFDR resulting in settlement, and acting in a case involving assets in Dubai and India.
3-day final hearing. The case was complicated owing to the Family Home potentially having developmental opportunities, thus increasing its value. The Respondent Wife disputed the possibility of selling to a developer but secretly sought to sell to one. The Respondent also sought a significant departure from equality to meet, on the Applicant’s case, exaggerated capital and income needs. Stuart was successful in obtaining an Order for Sale of the Family Home as well as an equal division of capital assets on a “clean break” basis.
Delays with listing a final hearing meant that the parties chose arbitration to conclude their dispute. Stuart represented the Applicant Wife who had returned home to Australia following separation. The case was complicated by assertions of non-matrimonial property, a child with Special Educational Needs, a high earning Respondent Husband and the quantification of “needs” abroad (i.e. an uncertain and changing property market in Perth, Australian stamp duty and, purchase costs). Despite Husband seeking a departure from equality in his favour (cf. unevidenced non-matrimonial assets), Stuart successfully argued for a departure from equality and “invasion” of assets to meet the Wife’s needs on a clean break basis.
Stuart is available to act as a private FDR evaluator. He brings a balanced, commercially focused approach to settlement discussions and is committed to helping parties reach resolution without the need for a contested final hearing.
He highlights:
Cohabitation Disputes
Stuart regularly advises and appears in cohabitation disputes, including:
He has been involved in high-conflict cases involving disputed beneficial ownership, coercive control, and undue influence. In one such case, Stuart successfully set aside an express declaration of trust because of undue influence resulting in a declaration that the parties owned a property equally (rather than the 100% v 0% sought by the other side).
Stuart’s ability to manage both legal complexity and sensitive personal dynamics makes him a strong advocate in these hybrid family-chancery matters. He is trusted by clients and solicitors alike for his measured approach and attention to detail.
Stuart acted for the Claimant in a matter brought pursuant to the TLATA 1996. Stuart’s client was in a long-term cohabiting relationship. The parties had signed express declarations of trust in respect of their family home and an investment property which declared that they held both properties on trust for the Defendant as to 100% and 0% to the Claimant. Stuart was successful in setting aside both declarations of trust on the basis of his client having been presumed to have been unduly influenced by the Defendant. Stuart successfully established a relationship of trust and control between the parties arising from a coercive, controlling and physically abusive relationship. The Judge declared that the parties held both properties on trust for themselves in equal shares (subject to the ring fencing of the Defendant’s initial deposit contribution for the investment property). Stuart also successfully argued that the sale of the property should be delayed pending the parties’ child (who was 3 years old) reaching her majority on the basis that the purpose of the trust had not yet come to an end and her welfare needed to be considered per the s.15 factors.
Stuart successfully defended a claim brought by a former occupant of a property claiming a beneficial interest. Stuart successfully obtained an adverse costs order on the indemnity basis against the Claimant. The case was subsequently reported online here.
Stuart accepts direct instructions from members of the public under the Public Access Scheme, where appropriate. This allows individuals to instruct him without a solicitor in suitable cases. For further information or to discuss instructing Stuart directly, please contact his clerks, who will be happy to assist.
We are incredibly pleased that Pump Court and its members […]
To instruct Stuart or if you require help or advice please contact our clerking team.
Call +44 (0)20 7353 0711 or email clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com.
Stuart is (or likes to think he is) a successful long-distance runner; he has completed several marathons and countless half marathons all over Europe.
When Stuart is not running (or in Court), he and his wife spend most of their spare time travelling and exploring with their young daughter; they can often be found somewhere between Canterbury and Whitstable on the “Crab and Winkle way”.
French (Fluent)
London Chambers
3 Pump Court
Temple
London
EC4Y 7AJ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7353 0711
Fax: +44 (0)845 259 3241
Email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com
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Winchester Chambers
31 Southgate Street
Winchester
SO23 9EB
Tel: +44 (0)1962 868 161
Fax: +44 (0)845 259 3240
Email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com
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Swindon Chambers
3 Newbridge Square
Aylesbury Street
Swindon
SN1 1HN
Tel: +44 (0)1793 539 899
Fax: +44 (0)845 259 3242
Email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com
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Canterbury Chambers
6 - 8 Longmarket
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 2JS
Tel: +44 (0)1227 764 899
Email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com
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