Stewarts has more rankings in the Chambers High Net Worth guide than ever before, with 12 individuals and two departments being listed.

The Divorce and Family department maintained its Band 1 ranking in the High Net Worth guide, emulating its position in the main Chambers guide, and has nine individuals ranked, including two who make their debut in the guide.

An interviewee quoted in the guide says Stewarts’ Divorce and Family department is “just top of the game”. Another source says it is “the best family law firm in London; they are incredibly good, the whole team is excellent.” The guide notes that “the litigation boutique’s family department has a reputation for acting on the highest-value and hardest-fought matrimonial matters”.

Emma Hatley and Helen Ward are both once again listed as ‘Star Individuals’.

Emma is described as “faultless” and having a style that is “elegant, determined and strategic”. One source describes her as “personable, pragmatic, but also a fighter when she needs to be”, while a peer says, “her practice has clearly gone from strength to strength and she just has this dignified presence in any interaction you have with her”.

Chambers says Helen is a “legend in her own lifetime”. The guide quotes a fellow family lawyer as saying: “Helen is the ultimate tactician. We know how good she is. She is absolutely phenomenal. I am just constantly respectful and in awe of her enormous work ethic.”

Debbie Chism and Stephen Foster both maintain their Band 1 rankings. The guide says Debbie is “an acclaimed family law specialist who market insiders say has ‘incredibly sound judgement’ and is ‘very calm and knowledgeable’”.

The guide says of Stephen: “As leader of the firm’s family department, Stephen Foster receives praise for ‘pulling together and assembling family lawyers and creating one of London’s premier teams’.” The same source highlights that he is a “very skilled people person with first-class judgement”. About his busy client practice, sources say “his knowledge about issues at the forefront of family law is great, and he can handle complex cases very well”.

Richard Hogwood is listed in Band 2 of the guide, which says that his “private client background means he is particularly adept at managing complicated international trusts issues in divorce proceedings”. One peer says they have been “absolutely blown away by his intellect” and another states: “He is extremely fair and is absolutely one of my favourite opponents. I’ve done lots of pre- and post-nuptial agreements with him over the last few years, and he deserves all the praise he gets.”

This year, Toby Atkinson joins Sam Longworth and Matthew Humphries in Band 3. One source says Sam “is definitely out there making a name for himself in the market”, with another saying he is “confident in his own abilities and you can have sensible conversations with him,” adding that he “gives the right advice and argues cases well”.

Matthew is praised for his skill at “dealing with the financial elements of relationship breakdowns” and for his “reassuring manner with clients”. One family barrister says: “He is always just nudging, pushing the envelope, asking ‘is there more in this? is there something else we can do?’ and for clients that is great.”

Toby makes his debut in this year’s guide, reflecting his position in the main Chambers UK guide. The guide says: “Clients love him because he’s unshowy but incredibly reassuring and sensible.”

Carly Kinch also features in the guide for the first time as an ‘Up and Coming’ partner. Carly is described as “reasonable and sensible” and as a lawyer who “works incredibly hard and is very good”. Another source says she is “very efficient, very much on top of her brief and very constructive”.

The Trust and Probate Litigation department moves up a ranking to Band 3 this year in the Private Wealth Disputes category. The guide quotes an international adviser as saying about the team: “It’s always a very good experience working with the firm. The lawyers are very careful and empathetic.”

Head of Trust and Probate Litigation James Price moves up to Band 1 this year. “He’s a fabulous litigator who is astute and sharp,” remarks one interviewee. Another notes: “He’s an excellent choice for offshore matters; he’s bright, has real trusts expertise and always makes the client feel safe.”

Emma Holland is once again ranked as an ‘Associate to Watch’ in the guide, and is recognised by a legal insider as “a rising star”. “She’s really hands-on and very responsive,” says one commentator. Another reports: “She’s highly recognised in this market. She’s smart, bright and polite.”

Head of Financial Crime, Richard Kovalevsky QC, moves up to Band 1 this year in the guide. The guide mentions him as acting for domestic and international high net worth individuals on matters relating to financial crime, including fraud, corruption and money laundering. “He is a good presence in this field. He is collegiate and shrewd,” says a source. Another source observes: “He is extremely able, very intelligent, a very good advocate and quick on the ball. He is extremely well thought of.”

The Chambers High Net Worth guide was launched in 2016 and covers private wealth management work and related specialisms in key jurisdictions around the world, featuring in-depth editorial about the leading lawyers and law firms for wealthy individuals and families.

The full guide can be found here, on the Chambers website, and is also available in hard copy.

You can find further information regarding our expertise, experience and teams on our Divorce and Family, Trust and Probate Litigation, and Financial Crime pages.

If you require assistance from our team, please contact us or request a call back from one of our lawyers by submitting this form.

Subscribe – In order to receive our news straight to your inbox, subscribe here. Our newsletters are sent no more than once a month.