Stephen Foster of litigation boutique Stewarts Law is set for a courtroom showdown with the queen of the celebrity divorce Fiona Shackleton (pictured) after he was formally instructed to act for Peter Andre in his split from Katie Price.

Stewarts recruited Foster from Lester Aldridge to launch its divorce practice in 2006. He recently brought in partners Debbie Chism from Manches and Emma Hatley from Withers to further boost the practice.

Payne Hicks Beach partner Shackleton is known for her high-profile client list which includes Princes Harry and William. Shackleton represented their father Prince Charles in his divorce from Diana, Princess of Wales. She was represented by Mishcon de Reya’s Anthony Julius.

Last year Shackleton was dubbed ‘Shacka’ by the tabloid press after she represented Paul ‘Macca’ McCartney in his divorce from Heather Mills. Pictures of a water-soaked Shackleton appeared around the world after Mills allegedly drenched her during their final divorce hearing.

By contrast, Foster prefers to keep his client list low profile. Despite having met with Andre in recent weeks the formal instruction came at the end of last week.

Andre and Price formerly announced their break-up last month after a four and a half year marriage. Despite pleading for privacy when they first separated, the pair have become increasingly acrimonious through the tabloid press.

Separately, Stewarts is aiming to diversify into banking litigation after taking Clive Zietman and Andrew Shaw from Manches (The Lawyer, 13 April).