Professional Practice

Broad experience and interest. A particular emphasis on family law cases with an international dimension. Reported cases on jurisdiction, child abduction, matrimonial finance, inheritance, surrogacy and international Family Law. 2014 - Forced Marriage Commission Fully Accredited Mediator - 2015 2018 - Jordans Family Law Awards: Short-listed International Family Lawyer of the Year

• Recommendations

  “Clare Renton has a unique combination of experience, flair, and passion. She will drill deep into authorities. She has the breadth of knowledge that comes from many years’ practice coupled with experience of wider areas of family law which enables her to bring extra value to complex international finance cases The solicitors and lay clients may be sure that she is totally committed to finding all of the points of domestic and overseas law that will achieve the desired result.”

  Pamela Collis - Family Law in Partnership

  “I have had the pleasure of working with Clare for many years now, and have always been impressed by her knowledge in International cases whether involving money children or jurisdiction. . Her expertise is combined with the vital ability to give straightforward practical advice on strategy and likely outcome Clare is quick to respond to requests for input at every stage, which is extremely comforting in stressful situations. Clare is my “go to” person” on jurisdictional matters.”

  Mary Kaye - Shakespeare Martineau

  “Clare has exceptional expertise and experience in international family law. She is also very approachable, always ready to discuss cases when needed . She is invaluable to those of us working in this complex and challenging area of law. This firm has instructed her regularly for about 7 years”

  Jane Chanot - The Family Law Co

  “Clare is an exceptional international family lawyer and a pleasure to instruct. I have instructed Clare in a number of High Court children matters and her confident yet calm demeanour instantly put my clients at ease. Clare is an excellent strategist on cross border and complex jurisdiction issues.”

  Alexandra Tribe - Expatriate Law

  “Clare Renton is the go-to international family law counsel. She has an impressive knowledge of the law of other jurisdictions. Always kind and helpful to her instructing solicitors, she is on their speed dial for many, never afraid to take on the complex of cases. She has the ability to provide pinpoint accuracy with her analysis. I can confidently rely on her to provide clear and concise advice whenever I call upon her.”

  Graeme Fraser - Partner & Head of Family - OGR Stock Denton

• Notable Cases

  • Re S Hague Convention 1980 habitual residence consent article 13(b)
    [2023] EWHC 2717 (Fam) Cobb J
    
  • Re J Hague Convention 1980 (Habitual Residence: Acquiescence)
    [2023] EWHC 3141 (Fam) Cobb J
    
  • K v K (Pensions)
    [1995] 1 FLR 35
    
  • Re W
    [1995] 1 WLR 159 (adoption surrogacy)
    
  • K v D
    [1998] 1 FLR 700 (discretionary stay of ancillary relief)
    
  • Re R (child abduction)
    [1997] 1 FLR 663
    
  • M v M
    [2003] 2 FLR 636 Wall J (implacable hostility)
    
  • Norris v Norris
    [2003] 1 FLR 1142 Bennett J (ancillary relief – overspend addback)
    
  • Norris v Norris
    [2003] CA 2 FLR 1124 – (Costs )
    
  • Re G
    [2004] 1 FLR 378 (Brussels II and European Convention Article 11)
    
  • E v E
    [2007] 1 FLR 1977 Hague Convention (Habitual residence Comity)
    
  • Klentzeris v Klentzeris
    [ 2007] 2 FLR 996 CA Hague Convention/ Brussels 2 revised
    
  • Re G
    [2008] 2 FLR 351 President (Habitual residence )
    
  • M v M
    [2010] EWHC 982 Baron J Sept Fam Law Magazine (Domicile and Forum Conveniens Divorce)
    
  • M v T
    [2010] EWHC 1479 Charles J Sept Fam Law Magazine 2 FLR (B2R Article 11 (7) Hague Convention Article 11 return order)
    
  • Re T
    [2010] EWHC 3177 2011 1 FLR Peter Jackson J (Hague Convention 1980 Article 13 habitual residence Neulinger HRA principles)
    
  • Rana v Manan
    [2011] EWHC Parker J All England Reporter 2011 AER (D) 179 (May) validity of foreign marriage
    
  • T v B
    [2013] Holman J (to be reported) habitual residence employment
    
  • S v S
    [2014] EWHC 575 (FAM) Wardship
    
  • Re N
    [2014] EWHC 749 (EU enforcement Spanish child return order)
    
  • C (Children)
    [2014] EWCA Civ 705 (Relocation to Brazil)
    
  • Re E-R (A Child)
    [2015] EWCA Civ 405 - welfare -( biological parent-child arrangements)
    
  • Re E-R
    [2016] EWHC 805 child arrangements -costs award children case
    
  • BK v NK
    [2016] EWHC 2496 (Fam) Macdonald J - rights of custody Poland. Relevance of father’s deportation
    
  • Casey v Cervi
    [2017] EWHC 1669 (Fam)
    
  • E-R (Child arrangements order - Costs no 2)
    [2017] EWHC 2535 (Fam)
    
  • Re: L-S
    [2017] EWCA 2177
    
  • V v M
    [2019] EWHC 466 Williams J forum conveniens child dispute; antisuit injunction
    
  • KJC v GRC (Hague convention)
    [2019] EWHC 3170 (Fam)
    
  • C v B
    [2021] EWHC 1369 Cobb J Hague Convention 1980 consent
    
  • Re A-M (a child) (1980 Hague Convention)
    [2021] EWCA Civ 998 Article 13(b)
    
  • TMB v PLB
    [2021] EWFC 66 Cohen J EU maintenance regulation : defences
    
  • Borg v Zubaidy
    [2021] EWHC 3227 Poole J contempt of court
    

• Publications and Lecturing

  • 2016 B2R  Proposed Recast  : the FLBA s response (joint author)  

  • 2016 Brexit: the Bar’s response (joint author )

  • Jordans Conference international children issues 2014

  • Editorial Board journal of Centre for Family Studies

  • International Aspects of Ancillary Relief FLBA  annual conference 

  • Relocation the English perspective International Bar Association (2012)

  • Regular lectures to solicitors on family law

  • Editorial board, Centre for Family Policy Studies

• Personal Information

  Mencap worker; Bencher, Lincoln's Inn; 3 adult childen.