Spear’s Review

James Stewart of Penningtons Manches Cooper has a formidable record of getting results in even the most difficult of family law cases. He describes his role as bringing ‘real added value’ to complex financial cases, applying a creative and solution-orientated approach. ‘I focus on securing a fair settlement from the very outset – and complexity should never be a bar to an early settlement,’ he adds.

He tells Spear’s he wants clients to ‘feel at ease’ that they will receive the benefit of a service which is ‘second to none’. His approach is friendly but professional, and he has a proven track record of finding fair solutions in even the most contentious of cases, particularly where children are involved.

He is the general editor of Family Law: A Global Guide – also known in the industry as the ‘Blue Book’ – which is described as ‘a definitive comparative guide to family law in 62 major jurisdictions’. 

Notable cases

• IR v OR [2022] EWFC 20
• NN v AS & Ors [2018] EWHC 2973 (Fam)

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Adviser Profile

James is top ranked in all the major legal directories and is described as having ‘astonishing skills in international financial matters’ and being ‘undoubtedly one of the leaders in family law globally’. 

He is a visiting Professor at Ulster University, a Fellow of the IAFL and General Editor of ‘the Blue Book’ (Family Law: A Global Guide), the definitive comparative guide to international family law. His expertise extends to advising on conflict of laws, disputes in relation to choice of jurisdiction for divorce as well as international and domestic marital agreements. 

A warm and engaging family lawyer, and a formidable negotiator, James shines in complex cases that need strategic vision and a motivated team.