Overview
Ben is a Civil and Family Barrister who has appeared in courts of all levels up to the Court of Appeal. He has been consistently ranked in the 2022, 2023 and 2024 editions of the Legal 500 as a Tier 1 Rising Star in both ‘Family: Children and Domestic Violence’ and ‘Social Housing’. He was also shortlisted for the Rising Star of the Year Award at the 2023 Private Client Modern Law Awards.
He is well regarded for his impeccable manner with vulnerable clients, eye for detail, and ability to grasp complex legal and factual themes. He has a friendly, welcoming and understanding approach which helps clients feel listened to. He fosters a culture of trust helping client be open with him and feel properly advised and supported in respect of their position.
His broad ranging practice across the spectrum of housing, trusts, private children law and matrimonial finance allows him to provide holistic and practical advice to clients across the multiple legal matters their case gives rise to. He has unique expertise in all aspects arising from relationship breakdowns, whether married or not. His caseload regularly includes complex features, such as domestic abuse (including rape and abuse towards children), parental alienation, relocation, occupation of the home, and homelessness.
Ben has an impressive and growing reputation amongst Public Access clients who are seeking to manage their own litigation with bespoke advice and advocacy assistance from a barrister.
He is committed to work involving human rights elements and champions access to justice. He supports Advocate, the Bar’s Pro Bono charity. He was a co-founder of the pro bono legal education programme ‘inFrinGeMent’ raising awareness of FGM. He has developed training for NGOs working with human trafficking survivors in South East Asia and has trained a Police Force in awareness around Travellers and Gypsies.
Growing up Ben had a number of real-world jobs from working on a market stall, to working behind a bar, through to being a Duty Manager in Boots advising on healthcare.
Outside of work, Ben enjoys cooking, hot curries, and a wide variety of music (including rock, indie, lofi and instrumental). He regularly travels with his family in search of new foods and experiences. He also keeps a tiny dog named after a very large and hairy Star Wars character.
Qualifications
LLB Law (Hons.): First Class
LLM International Human Rights Law and Practice: Merit
Bar Professional Training Course: Very Competent
Recommendations
Tier 1 Rising Star in the Legal 500 consistently since 2022 in the ‘Family: Children and Domestic Violence’ and ‘Social Housing’ categories.
Shortlisted for the Rising Star of the Year Award 2023 at the Private Client Modern Law Awards 2023.
Quotes
“Ben has excellent communication skills. He is prompt, clear, accurate and helpful. He has a lovely, calm and reassuring manner with clients. He inspires the utmost confidence that he has read everything and is on top of their case.”
Legal 500 2024
“Well regarded for his ‘extensive knowledge of occupation orders’ and ability with vulnerable clients.”
“Ben has a great manner with clients and always gives a full note of the hearing and quickly updates following hearing.”
Legal 500 2023
‘Extremely good with clients, understands their concerns and ensures they understand even the most complicated of circumstances. Excellent attention to detail in a case.’
Legal 500 2022
“The client commented that Counsel was very professional and that his knowledge of his case was great. This case involved many issues and we were very pleased with how Ben has managed the progression of the case. The client has been provided with clear advice and I feel that he has managed the client’s expectations really well.
Ben was prompt to provide a detailed note of the Hearing and has kept us fully informed regarding the drafting of the Order. His aftercare of the client has also been really good as he has contacted him to go through the Order which I think has been really helpful for this particular client. Overall we are really pleased with Ben’s representation and look forward to his ongoing assistance.”
Joanne Wilbraham, Ellis-Fermor & Negus
“I thought Ben was excellent and handled a very nervous client extremely well.”
Local Managing Partner & Solicitor
“I recently instructed Ben to represent a wife, who had previously been a litigant in person, at a final financial remedy hearing. The outcome was excellent. Ben is an effective advocate, able to listen to client’s instructions/
needs and then deliver the same in an engaging and considered way. The client was so pleased and commented that Ben was “amazing” and that she felt so relieved to have him representing her. I would not hesitate to recommend Ben.”
Florence Ashcroft-Lane, Stowe Family Law
“Ben demonstrated excellent client care and explained complex legal matters to the client clearly and concisely. Very down to earth, thoroughly prepared and great attention to detail. I would not hesitate to instruct Ben again!”
Sarah McLoughlin, Stowe Family Law
Appointments
Judge of the Employment Tribunal.
Judge of the First-Tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber).
Memberships
Family Law Bar Association.
The Honourable Society of Middle Temple.
Awards
Sir Joseph Cantley Memorial Prize, Middle Temple.
Nottingham Law School Scholarship, NLS.
1st Place, Lex Senior Negotiation Competition, NLS.
NSLS Best Plea in Mitigation Award.
Jeremy R Hyde CBE Award for the Legal Advice Centre, University of Hull.
Reported Cases
Housing
Rogerson v Bolsover District Council [2019] EWCA Civ 226 (Court of Appeal): Instructed as junior representing Claimant in a Defective Premises Act matter. The CoA used the opportunity to re-confirm the law in this area (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2019/226.html).
Regulatory
Teaching Regulation Authority (“TRA”) v (1) Talbi (2) Bernhardt (2022): Mr Nacerdine Talbi: Professional conduct panel outcome (publishing.service.gov.uk); LON_LIB1\26332993\1 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Teaching Regulation Authority (“TRA”) v Smith (2021): CAR_LIB1\18833464\1 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Teaching Regulation Authority (“TRA”) v Walker (2021): CAR_LIB1\19322017\1 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Teaching Regulation Authority (“TRA”) v Marshall (2020): CAR_LIB1\17215851\1 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Teaching Regulation Authority (“TRA”) v Marhsall (2020): CAR_LIB1\17215851\1 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Privacy Notice
Click here to view the Privacy Notice for Ben Chapman.