Spear’s Review

Matthew Humphries, a partner in Stewarts’ busy family law practice, specialises in HNW divorce and separation.

In addition to acting for married individuals, Humphries also advises on high-value Schedule 1 claims for unmarried couples. Many of these cases also have an international or offshore element to them, with added tax complexities.

In all cases, he ensures that his clients are well informed about the legal process and prepared for the likely outcome of a case. ‘You may not be able to give them an absolutely definite answer as to what a judge is going to say, for example, but they will always know what the likely parameters are,’ he tells Spear’s. 

‘Getting divorced and having an argument over the allocation of finances is never a pleasant experience for the people that are involved. That experience can be made so much worse if things happen that they were not expecting.’

In recent years, Humphries has acted in ‘some very substantial cases’, including those involving assets in excess of £70 million.

Notable cases

• DR v UG [2023] EWFC 68 
  
• IR v OR [2022] EWFC 20 

Adviser Profile

Matthew Humphries has over 25 years’ experience advising on the financial and children issues arising from divorce and family breakdown. He acts for high-net-worth individuals and their spouses or partners, often in cases involving complex international financial structures or sensitive disputes concerning children.

A senior partner in Stewarts’ divorce and family department, Matthew is recognised for his expertise in complex litigation and his pragmatic, solutions driven approach. He is described as a ‘calm, authoritative adviser’ who earns a high degree of client trust, as well as a ‘top matrimonial litigator’ with ‘brilliant’ case strategy and a deep understanding of clients’ needs.