Christopher is a fearless and persuasive advocate, combining formidable strategic and tactical thinking with a keen forensic insight. He is a specialist in all areas of international law, with the knowledge and experience to take on complex issues of jurisdiction, finance and movement of children.

Christopher’s practice involves resolving difficult international issues concerning both children and substantial financial resources, routinely tackling novel jurisdictional dilemmas in the Court of Appeal and the High Court whether this be in private or public law children, divorce or financial remedies cases.

He is one of the leading lights in international child abduction in the country. His case-work involve the Hague 1980 and 1996 Conventions, Wardship and the inherent jurisdiction and the enforcement of foreign orders. He appears both at first instance and appeals: he has appeared in both the CJEU and the UKSC. He also has a considerable practice in relocation and international adoption cases.

Christopher has extensive experience in matrimonial finance with substantial assets, often with an international element or involving off-shore or domestic trusts or where criminal confiscation and restraint orders have been made. Having been involved in the leading case on Legal Service Payment Orders, he is much in demand for all types of applications for legal funding orders.

Through the Direct Access Scheme, barristers provide tailored expertise at a lower cost due to their self-employed status. Fixed fees are agreed upfront, ensuring budget control.

Barristers’ roles mirror those under solicitor instruction – offering advice, representation and document drafting. Most cases can be managed under this scheme, though some may require solicitor involvement.

Unit Chambers eases the challenges of cases involving children, prioritising clear communication and understanding. While we don’t handle administrative aspects like court document delivery, we guide and support clients. Our fee structure is transparent with upfront agreements.

Get started with a free online consultation to assess direct instruction suitability.

He was Chair of the CALA since 2018 and regularly participates at international conferences. As Chair, he has been involved in extensive consultations about practice and procedure following the President’s Guidance and on the post Covit-19 lockdown court environment. In February 2020 he gave evidence to the House of Lords EU Justice Sub-Committee on behalf of the Bar Council on “Civil Justice Co-operation after Brexit. His evidence ranged over both divorce/finance and children.

He regularly chairs and participates in seminars and conferences on a variety of practice areas.

He is a trustee of CFAB and reviews cases for Advocate.

He sits as Recorder on the NE Circuit and is approved for the Financial Remedies Court. He is authorised to sit as a deputy High Court Judge. He is a qualified arbitrator in both children (now including international relocation) and money work.

He is an author and contributory editor of 2 chapters of Rayden & Jackson on the Hague 1980 Convention and committal.