Professional Practice

Nominated by Chambers and Partners for ‘Silk of the Year in 2016’, The Legal 500 'Family Silk of the Year in 2018' and Shortlisted for the Legal 500 'Family and Children Silk of the year 2020', Jonathan appears regularly in very highly complex financial remedy cases many of which are reported. He is very highly regarded by solicitors – and see Recommendations below.

• Recommendations

  "Jonathan Southgate is a fantastic courtroom advocate and commands the attention of the court. He's able to take on challenging points with a confidence that elevates the strength of his case."

  Chambers and Partners 2024

  "You cannot fault his advice. Whatever the issue in the case he's always right in what he says about how to manage it and get the best outcome."

  "He gives clients a fantastic run for their money and he's an iron fist in a velvet glove. He's charming but very gritty and determined when pursuing clients' cases to get the result that they want."

  "Jonathan is strategic and focused. He is calm and organised. He is incredibly good at managing difficult clients."

  Legal 500 2024

  "He's persuasive, intellectually agile and someone with a great head for numbers. He turns that to fabulous advantage when he's on his feet." "A robust advocate who's not scared to roll his sleeves up and get stuck in, no matter how difficult the case." "A numerical wizard who is always on top of the figures."

  Jonathan Southgate KC has a formidable practice representing household names and high net worth individuals in tremendously high-value matrimonial finance proceedings. He is commended for his tenacity in court and his commercial awareness during divorce.

  Legal 500 2023

  "Jonathan Southgate is a fantastic barrister, who's very tactical and strategic in his approach."

  "He's absolutely mind-blowingly brilliant; he completely taps into his cases, is very responsive and is a sensational advocate. In everything he does he's very calm and self-assured, but also quite tough. He's prepared to correctly push points that solicitors might not think are worth the trouble."

  Ranked as Star Individual

  Chambers and Partners 2022

  "Jonathan is at the top of his game: a highly intelligent, personable and extremely persuasive advocate who knows his case inside out. Judges listen to him and respect him"

  Ranked Tier 1 (Leading Silks)

  Legal 500 2022

  "At the top in terms of level of representation, advice and client care, he is a joy to work with." "Approachable, kind and fiercely intelligent, he is very respectful in court." "A highly strategic, tenacious and effective advocate."

  Chambers and Partners 2021

  ‘Is an excellent advocate. He is highly persuasive - taking time to address points made against him in a clear, and intelligent manner. He is a formidable strategist.’

  Legal 500 2021

  ‘Very commercial and highly strategic, with an ability to look at the big picture as well as attend to the minute detail,’ ‘Huge stamina, work rate, and a great team player.’

  2021 Spears Family Law Index

  "An absolute master of the detail in a case and a good advocate." "Incisive in his cross-examination, he's like a dog with a bone in cases and he's got a good command of the wider issues within them."

  Chambers and Partners 2020

  ‘The financial silk who everyone wants on their side – hugely in demand and for good reason – an extremely bright and persuasive advocate.’

  Legal 500 (2020)

  "Highly intelligent and forcefully charming. He's a fine strategist, who is extremely calm under fire." "He's a persuasive advocate, who will steer a case and deliver every time."

  Chambers and Partners 2018/19

  'Increasingly a go-to figure for the complex big money cases.’

  Legal 500 2018

  "Despite only having taken silk a few years ago, Jonathan is a match for any other QC at the Family Bar. Frighteningly bright but always calm, he can charm even the most difficult client."

  Chambers and Partners 2017

  ‘A very impressive Court performer, who is measured, astute and wise beyond his years.’

  The Legal 500 - 2016

  "So bright he almost shines." "He has made a seamless transition into silk. He's a tenacious advocate with the ear of the court. He is very tactical in his approach and reassuring for clients."

  Chambers and Partners 2016

  A dedicated matrimonial finance silk who has particular expertise in cases pertaining to substantial assets, premarital holdings and complex nuptial agreements. Expertise: "He's a wizard who has great judgement and offers fine client-handling and advocacy skills." "Good with figures, he makes the complex appear simple."

  Chambers and Partners 2015

  “Having made silk in 2013, Jonathan Southgate QC continues to rise in prominence in the matrimonial finance arena. He wins tremendous praise from fellow barristers and instructing solicitors … described as a great advocate and very thorough."

  Chambers and Partners 2014

• Notable Cases

  • CG v DL (No 2)
    [2023] EWFC 238
    
  • BL v OR
    [2023] EWFC 229
    
  • GA v EL (No.2)
    [2023] EWFC 206
    
  • GA v EL
    [2023] EWFC 187
    
  • TRNS v TRNK
    [2023] EWFC 133
    
  • AZ v AG
    [2023] EWHC 2014 (Fam)
    
  • Simon -v- Simon & Level
    [2023] EWCA Civ 1048
    
  • CG v DL
    [2023] EWFC 82 (Fam)
    
  • Gallagher v Gallagher (No.2)(Financial Remedies)
    [2022] EWFC 53
    
  • Gallagher v Gallagher (No.1)(Reporting Restrictions)
    [2022] EWFC 52
    
  • XZ v YZ
    [2022] EWFC 49
    
  • Simon v Simon & Level (no 3)
    [2022] EWFC 35
    
  • Simon v Simon & Level (Joinder)
    [2022] EWFC 29
    
  • MG v GM (MPS LSPO)
    [2022] EWFC 8
    
  • Mostyn-Williams v Mostyn Williams
    [2021] EWFC 123
    
  • LS v PS
    [2021] EWFC 108
    
  • Christoforou -v- Christoforou
    [2020] EWHC 43 (Fam)
    
  • WG v HG
    [2018] EWFC 84
    
  • Sharp v Sharp
    [2017] EWCA Civ 408
    
  • AB v FC
    [2016] EWHC 3285 (Fam)
    
  • Christoforou v Christoforou
    [2016] EWHC 2988 (Fam)
    
  • T v F
    [2016] EWFC 26
    
  • AE v BE
    [2014] EWHC 4868 (Fam)
    
  • JS and RS
    [2015] EWHC 2921 (Fam)
    
  • S v S
    [2014] EWHC 4732
    
  • Ahmed and Mehmet v Mustafa
    [2014] EWCA Civ 277
    
  • R v R (Financial Remedies: Needs and Practicalities)
    [2013] 1 FLR 120
    
  • DR v GR and Others (Financial Remedy: Variation of Overseas Trust)
    [2013] EWHC 1196 (Fam)
    
  • BJ v MJ (Financial Remedy: Overseas Trusts)
    [2011] EWHC 2708 (Fam)
    
  • Golubovich v Golubovich
    [2010] EWCA Civ 810
    
  • H v H
    [2009] EWHC 3739 (Fam)
    
  • McFarlane v McFarlane
    [2009] EWHC 891 (Fam)
    
  • P v P
    [2010] 1 FLR 1126
    
  • P v P (Financial Relief: Procedure)
    [2009] 1 FLR 696
    
  • Kimber v Kimber (Writ Ne Exeat Regno)
    [2006] EWCA Civ 706
    
  • Kimber v Brookman Solicitors
    [2004] 2 FLR 221
    
  • Reid v Reid
    [2004] 1 FLR 736
    
  • Corbett v Corbett
    [2003] 2 FLR 385
    

• Personal Information

  Married with 3 children. Lives in London.