Briefs

The Lawyer kicks off its annual review of the family Bar by revealing the dream teams chosen by solicitors

Paul Coleridge QC with Tim Amos

Paul Coleridge QC - Queen Elizabeth Building (Ian Karsten QC)

Called to the Bar: 1968

Appointed QC: 1993 (made Recorder in 1995)

Professional achievements/associations: Member of the Family Law Bar Association (secretary 1992-94)

Practice areas: Predominantly matrimonial finance involving disputes between wealthy spouses as well as child disputes involving both public and private law

Recent cases: Not disclosed

What they say about him: "Applies a broader brush [than Singleton] and can be very effective when talking about millions of pounds. He presents such cases very well and is an easy advocate to listen to."

Tim Amos - Queen Elizabeth Building (Ian Karsten QC)

Called to the Bar: 1987

Professional achievements/associations: Fluent in German with German Court experience. Articles include Financial Injunctive Relief under the 1989 Act [1994] Fam Law 445. Member of Family Law Bar Association and British German Jurists Association

Practice areas: Principally family finance, Anglo-German cases and those with a foreign or international element

Recent cases: Not disclosed

What they say about them as a team: "They complement each other very well, they blend well. Coleridge has experience, courage, very good judgement and is very good with clients whereas Amos is very dynamic, thorough and good at drafting."



Judith Parker QC with Nicholas Francis

Judith Parker QC - 1 King's Bench Walk

Called to the Bar: 1973

Appointed QC: 1991

Professional achievements/associations: Member of SE Circuit; Family Law Bar Association; International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers; Chairman of Inter-Country Adoption Lawyers Association

Practice areas: All aspects of family law, including medico-legal issues, child care and adoption, divorce and matrimonial finance, international aspects of family law (including inter-country adoption and child abduction), and appellate advocacy

Recent Cases: Not disclosed

What they say about her: "She has a voice like Glenda Jackson," says one female solicitor. "She comes across as very persuasive and very concerned." "She is very nice to deal with from a solicitor's point of view."

Nicholas Francis - 29 Bedford Row (Peter Ralls QC)

Called to the Bar: 1981

Professional achievements/associations: Member of the Family Law Bar Association (committee member); Bar Council Professional Conduct Committee; Bar Council Legal Aid and Fees Committee

Practice areas: Principally matrimonial finance with a particular interest in pension issues and foreign asset cases but also recommended for child related matters

Recent Cases: Re P (A Minor) [1992] (Education); C v C [1994] (wasted costs order); S v S [1995]

What they say about him: "A creative thinker who inspires great confidence and has a very, very sound practice."



Barry Singleton QC with Lewis Marks

Barry Singleton QC - 1 King's Bench Walk (James Townend QC)

Called to the Bar: 1968

Appointed QC: 1989

Professional achievements/associations: SE Circuit; Family Law Bar Association

Practice areas: Predominantly matrimonial finance

Recent Cases: F v F (Duxbury Calculation: Rate of Return) [1996]; Dart [1996]; Phillips v Peace [1996]

What they say about him: "Very capable of creative lateral thought as well as detailed analysis."

Lewis Marks - Queen Elizabeth Building (Ian Karsten QC)

Called to the Bar: 1984

Professional achievements/associations: Family Law Bar

Association

Practice areas: Matrimonial finance

Recent Cases: F v F (Ancillary Relief: Substantial Assets) [1995]; Dart v Dart [1996]; H v H (Child Abduction: Acquiescence) [1996]

What they say about him: "Very incisive." "Understands a big money case and knows how to compromise or to win them."

What they say about them as a team: "Would use them for a complex big money case, since you can only justify trebling the cost in those cases where there is some level of complexity."