Professional Practice

Simon specialises in complex high value financial work, including matrimonial finance, inheritance claims, probate and Court of Protection work as well as civil disputes between family members, trusts claims and civil enforcement, Simon is also a specialist in professional negligence claims (Solicitors and Barristers). He provides advocacy and advisory services in England and Wales, Gibraltar, Jersey, the Cayman Islands and further afield.

• Recommendations

  "Simon is highly able at so many aspects of family law and willing to work hard to achieve the right result."

  Chambers and Partners 2025

  "Simon provides excellent service. His paperwork is good and his advice to clients strong. An excellent advocate, he's straight to the point and forceful." "He is good at unravelling complex cases."

  Chambers and Partners 2024

  Ranked in both Offshore and Matrimonial Finance categories

  “His legal knowledge and tactical expertise in family law are impressive. He is the tiger in your corner and a joy to instruct” (offshore)

  Legal 500 2023

  “‘Simon is incredibly bright and approachable. He is down to earth and has a lovely engaging manner with clients. He is thorough in his presentation and has encyclopedic knowledge of the law which enhances his presentation. His advocacy is calm and measured. He isn't afraid from complicated cases on either the facts or the law, indeed the more complex, the better.’”

  Legal 500 2023

  “Simon Calhaem gives incredibly robust advice, adopts a very commercial approach to his cases and is very good at giving the parameters of what a financial settlement should be. He's not afraid to run a case but is very pragmatic and always mindful of a potential settlement.”

  Chambers and Partners 2023

  "A very bright and effective junior, who develops a good rapport with clients and judges."

  Legal 500 2022

  "Simon's impressive intellect and considerable experience are evident in each instruction, bringing reassurance and inspiring confidence in clients." (offshore)

  Legal 500 2022

  "Good both on paper and in his oral advocacy." "He is particularly good at giving clear, straightforward advice to clients." "He's strategic, he thinks deeply about his cases and he's personable."

  Chambers and Partners 2022

  "Exceedingly clever, technically excellent and has a reassuring manner with clients." (offshore)

  Legal 500 2021

  "So quick on his feet in court, Simon often out manoeuvres his opponents and remains unflappable in the face of judicial pressure." (Family - Divorce and Financial Remedy)

  Legal 500 2021

• Notable Cases

  • Simon -v- Simon & Level
    [2023] EWCA Civ 1048
    
  • Zhaolong Li (known as Nathan Li) v Oliver Simons
    [2023] EWHC 1626
    
  • RA v KS (interim Order for Sale)
    [2023] EWFC 102
    
  • Villiers v Villiers
    [2023] 1 FLR 1316; [2023] 2 All ER 897 (CoA)
    
  • Xanthopoulos v Rakshina
    [2023] 1 FLR 388
    
  • TM v KM (compensation award)
    [2022] EWFC 155
    
  • Simon v Simon (Level intervening)
    [2022] EWFC 35
    
  • Simon v Simon (Level intervening)
    [2022] EWFC 29
    
  • Villiers v Villiers
    [2022] 1 FLR 513
    
  • LS v PS (Q Company (a litigation lender) intervening)
    [2021] EWHC 3508 (Fam)
    
  • Weisz v Weisz and others
    [2020] 2 FLR 95
    
  • C v C (Jersey)
    (2019) UKPC 40 [2020] 1 FLR 641
    
  • EB V LWB (and ors)
    [2017] EWHC 3624
    
  • Wyatt v Vince (No 2) (Settlement: Publicity)
    [2017] 1 FLR 1766
    
  • N v N
    [2016] EWCA Civ 945
    
  • A v B (Jersey Court of Appeal)
    [2016] JCA098
    
  • Wyatt v Vince
    [2015] UKSC 14
    
  • S V S
    [2014] EWHC 4732
    
  • Colborne v Colborne
    [2014] EWCA Civ 1488
    
  • L v M
    [2014] EWHC 2220
    
  • AM v SS (Legal Services Order)
    [2015] 1 FLR 972
    
  • Solomon v Solomon and Ors
    [2013] EWCA Civ 1095
    
  • Wyatt v Vince
    [2013] All ER (D) 109 (Jun), (CA)
    
  • McRoberts v McRoberts
    [2012] All ER (D) 12 (Nov), (Chd)
    
  • Foster v Foster (Cayman Islands Court of Appeal)
    [2011] (2) CILR 89
    
  • V v V (Divorce: Jurisdiction)
    [2011] 2 FLR 778
    
  • W v W (Financial Relief: Enforcement)
    [2011] 2 FLR 1268
    
  • K v B (Costs: Financial Relief)
    [2011] 1 FLR 1745
    
  • Bradley v Bradley (Security for Costs)
    [2008] 2 FLR 1433 (CA)
    
  • A v B (Damages: Paternity)
    [2007] 2 FLR 1051, [2007] 3 FCR 861 (QBD)
    
  • Kimber v Kimber (Writ Ne Exeat Regno)
    [2006] EWCA Civ 706, CA
    
  • Rowe v Clarke No2
    [2006] All ER (D) 124 (May)
    
  • Crossley v Crossley (TLATA)
    [2006] 2 FLR 813, CA
    
  • Rowe v Clarke (Probate)
    [2005] EWHC 3068 (Ch D)
    
  • LW v Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in England (OFSTED)[Legal Argument on appropriate disposal]
    [2004] 270.EYSUS
    

• Publications and Lecturing

  • Guest Lecturer, University of the West Indies (Barbados) 2013-

  • ‘The Writ Ne Exeat Regno’ Family Law

  • ‘Express Trusts and Ancillary Relief’ Family Law

  • ‘Divorce and Recession’ Family Law

  • Co-author of Divorce & Bankruptcy: A Practical Guide for a Family Lawyer

  • Contributor to Duckworth’s Matrimonial Finance & Taxation (Bankruptcy)

  • Contributor to Ross Inheritance Act Claims and Challenges

• Personal Information

  Simon was educated at Sir Thomas Alleynes School and then Mansfield College, Oxford (Jurisprudence MA). A member of the Denning Society he was called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn as a Sir Thomas More Scholar, and taught Constitutional Law at the University of East London whilst a Bar Student at the Inns of Court School of Law in 1999. Married with two children Simon enjoys the countryside and yacht racing.