Professional Practice

Following a decade in which Peter appeared in the Supreme Court twice (in Agbaje and Sharland) and in the Court of Appeal in a number of other leading cases (including Prest, Brack and Hart), Peter took Silk in 2020. He continues his high-profile appellate work, most recently leading the wife’s legal team in her successful and ground-breaking outing to the Court of Appeal in the latest stage of the decade-long Goddard-Watts litigation.

Peter specialises in all aspects of the law relating to relationship finance, with his work encompassing matrimonial finance and claims for financial provision for children, with an emphasis on complex financial cases involving substantial assets, trust structures, tax and valuation issues and/or requiring injunctive relief and/or third party disclosure; international jurisdictional disputes; and the drafting and enforcement of pre-nuptial, post-nuptial and cohabitation agreements. He has particular expertise in the law on setting aside orders for non-disclosure (the subject matter of Sharland and Goddard-Watts) and on proceedings for contempt of court (at issue in Prest and Hart).

Peter prides himself on providing top-quality client care. He considers it essential that his clients are given the information and time to understand the advice he is giving and that he is available throughout proceedings to assist, if called upon to do so. He is ranked as a leader in his field in Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and Spears 500. The 2022 volume of Legal 500 records that “Peter is the most charming intellect in the business. He is a wonderful advocate who makes every client feel special and in the right hands.” Whilst the 2023 volume of Chambers & Partners describes him as “a fantastic person to pick up the phone to and run issues by. He’s personable, charismatic, and excellent. He’s a nice man with a great intellect who delivers results” and as having “a quick brain and an easy rapport with clients”.

Peter has utilised his standing in the profession and rapport with clients to develop a busy additional practice as a Private FDR evaluator and has an enviable reputation for promoting settlement, even in the most contentious of cases.

• Recommendations

  "A persuasive advocate who keeps cases in proportion." "He cares passionately about both the law and the individuals caught up in the process." "A charming practitioner with a serious intellect who is adored by clients."

  Chambers and Partner 2022

  "A silk at the top of his game. He always prepares meticulously and brings the perfect combination of wit, charm and pure intellect to the table."

  Legal 500 2022

  "Working with Peter is an absolute joy, and a weight off any instructing solicitor's mind. He has a heart of gold, is always willing to help guide the case, and has an intellect and quickness on his feet that reassures you that you could not be doing a better job for your client."

  Chambers and Partners 2019

  ‘Leaves no stone unturned.’

  Legal 500 2018/2019

  Experienced in big-money cases

  The Legal 500

  Handles the examination and preparation of nuptial agreements alongside complex ancillary relief proceedings, including those involving special contributions and non-marital assets. Expertise: "A real character. He's a man with a great brain who is a brilliant strategic planner. A first choice for top-end work."

  Chambers & Partners 2015

  An expert in ancillary relief and TOLATA issues. He has particular knowledge of offshore wealth issues, trusts, companies and bankruptcy. Expertise: "An excellent advocate, who is strong on paperwork and shows great attention to detail. Clients feel he really fights their corner."

  Chambers & Partners 2014

  ‘Expertise in complex financial cases involving substantial assets.’

  Legal 500 2015

• Notable Cases

  • Goddard-Watts v. Goddard-Watts
    [2023] EWCA Civ 115
    
  • MB v EB (No 2)
    [2019] EWHC 3676 (Fam)
    
  • MB v EB
    [2019] EWHC 1649 (Fam)
    
  • Brack v. Brack
    [2018] EWCA Civ 2862 and [2020] EWHC 2142 (Fam)
    
  • Hart v. Hart
    [2016] EWCA Civ 497, [2017] EWCA Civ 1306 and [2018] EWCA Civ 1053
    
  • Prest v. Prest
    [2015] EWCA Civ 714
    
  • Sharland v Sharland
    [2015] UKSC 60
    
  • C v. C (Appeal: Hadkinson Order)
    [2011] 1 FLR 434
    
  • Agbaje v. Agbaje
    [2010] UKSC 10
    

• Personal Information

  Peter was a professional musician before coming to the Bar. He lives in London and loves his job – as well as his time away from work!