Ben has been consistently recognised by the Legal 500 as a Rising Star in this field. Clients value him as a robust, emotionally sensitive and pragmatic practitioner. They appreciate his approachable manner. Ben is often sought out for instructions on behalf of vulnerable people and his skillset makes him particularly suitable for vulnerable clients and emotionally sensitive work, and those cases where another party is acting as a litigant-in-person.
He is an experienced trial advocate and is regularly instructed in Enforcement/Committal matters and Fact-Finding Hearings with difficult and emotive subject matter, including rape and abuse towards children.
Ben regularly deals with cases involving particularly complex elements such as:
– Applications by grandparents;
– Parental influence/alienation;
– Cases involving Children’s Guardians;
– Relocation both within the UK and abroad;
– Cases where a child or party has been examined by an expert.
Case examples include:
- H (2024): Securing contact beyond the recommendations of Cafcass for a Grandmother in a case involving a Covid-cautious lifestyle.
- K (2023): Successful enforcement application for a Father involving 54 breaches.
- R (2023): Unusual Final Hearing focussed upon the appropriateness of two costs orders previously made against Ben’s client. One was set aside, and the other reduced with the effect that his client’s costs liability halved.
- M (2022): Securing the return of children to a party whose former partner had sexually abused the children.
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)
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