Michael has extensive experience in all aspects of disputes involving children.  He spent many years acting in child protection / public law proceedings (representing local authorities, parents and children) including in cases involving sexual abuse, parental alienation and physical and psychological abuse.

Michael now exclusively applies his experience to private law disputes – often involving similar issues – but with the focus on the arrangements for the shared care of the children, schooling issues and when one parent is seeking leave to relocate with the children both within and outside the jurisdiction.

23rd April 2024 | [2024] EWHC 778

Re A and B (Schedule 1: Arbitral Award: Appeal) [2024] EWHC 778

PDF

17th January 2017 | Bailii

M v F (Travel to Non-Convention Country) [2017] EWFC 7

Mother’s application to vary a Prohibited Steps Order – preventing either parent from removing the children – granted, allowing her to remove the parties’ children to Iran, a non-Hague Convention country, temporarily for the purpose of holidays, subject to certain safeguards being in place

PDF

10th December 2014 | Bailii

A (A Child) [2014] EWCA Civ 1577

Schedule 1 case where the mother made an unmerited appplication to vary an order for periodical payments and subsequently appealed, again without merit. Mother ordered to pay a contribution towards the father’s costs.

PDF

21st December 2010 | Jordan's

T v T [2010] EWHC 3776 (Fam)

The Court considered whether an occupation order amounted to a maintenance order and the court was thus prohibited from making one under Brussels IIR.

PDF

1st December 2008 | Bailii

AB v JLB [2008] EWHC 2965 (Fam)

Application to transfer proceedings in relation to a child from the Hague to the High Court in London pursuant to Article 15(2)(c) Brussels II bis in light of ongoing matrimonial and financial remedy proceedings in the English courts. Application summarily dismissed.

PDF

Michael has appeared in the Court of Protection both in relation to complex welfare and financial cases.

This is the main area in which Michael practises (including matrimonial, civil partnership and cohabitation disputes in addition to Inheritance Act claims). He has unrivalled expertise in cases which have an added dimension such as trusts, bankruptcy, partnerships and companies.

Michael’s reported cases include F v F (S Intervening) (Financial Provision: Bankruptcy: Reviewable Disposition), where a husband’s bankruptcy was set aside and his award drastically reduced due to his conduct, and Rossi v Rossi in which an ancillary relief claim was successfully defended in its entirety, due to delay and non-contribution to the marital acquest.

Michael has acted in a number of other important reported cases including representing a husband in a ‘big money’ case involving wholly pre-acquired assets (R v R [2009] EWHC 1267 (Fam), a contested trusts of land case involving questions of sham transfers and illegality (Ashby v Kilduff [2010] EWHC 2034 (Ch)), a case where the Husband’s assets were said to be tied up in a Jersey Trust (D v D and I Trust ([2011] 2 FLR 29) and a successful appeal to the Court of Appeal reducing a ‘joint lives’ maintenance order to a term order (N v N [2011] EWCA Civ 940). Michael for many years represented HRH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum [2011] EWHC B27 (Fam) in the first case dealing with whether an Islamic marriage performed in this country would be valid for the purposes of a nullity petition. The facts of the case make interesting reading, however, the court agreed that an Islamic marriage, whilst it may have significance for the parties involved, would not be a route for a purported wife to obtain the raft of financial remedies which can be applied for following a nullity petition. He has also successfully enforced an arbitration clause in a foreign pre-marital agreement where the assets were $140m (T v T [2012] EWHC 3462 (Fam)).

More recently, Michael has successfully defended an allegation of sham trust (worth some £50m) and broken new ground regarding interim orders for sales of property.  He frequently acts in cohabitation disputes involving heterosexual and same sex relationships, appearing in the Family Court, the Chancery Division and the Lands Tribunal.

In addition to acting in high net worth cases, Michael frequently represents interveners in divorce matters (including acting for beneficiaries of trusts, such as children on settlement variations through the official solicitor), and parents involved in private law disputes including those with an international element such as relocation cases. As a result of his experience, both prior to being called to the Bar, and whilst at it, Michael brings a breadth of experience to his work.

1st March 2024 | [2024] EWFC 319 (B)

XP and YP

PDF

18th November 2021

Aldoukhi v Abdullah [2021] EWHC 3086 (Fam)

In this ground-breaking case, a Part III MFPA 1984 claim was founded solely on an interest in a matrimonial home in the jurisdiction.

PDF

21st June 2017

ND v SD & Ors [2017] EWHC 1507 (Fam) (21 June 2017)

Mrs Justice Roberts dismisses Wife’s attack of a trust owning shares in companies worth £50m

PDF

20th March 2017

Norman v Norman [2017] EWCA Civ 120

Court of Appeal dismisses proposed appellant’s application to set aside consent order made in financial remedy proceedings

PDF

8th February 2017 | Bailii

Norman v Norman [2017] EWCA Civ 49

Wife’s appeal in financial remedy proceedings in which she sought an anonymity order and argued that the law in this regard should change. Appeal refused

PDF

10th December 2014 | Bailii

A (A Child) [2014] EWCA Civ 1577

Schedule 1 case where the mother made an unmerited appplication to vary an order for periodical payments and subsequently appealed, again without merit. Mother ordered to pay a contribution towards the father’s costs.

PDF

26th March 2014

N v N [2014] EWCA Civ 314

Appeal against a decision that there had been material non-disclosure during the course of an appeal. Consideration of the circumstances in which a court may, on the grounds of material non-disclosure, set aside an order for financial provision following divorce.

PDF

29th November 2012 | Bailii

T v T [2012] EWHC 3462 (Fam)

Application for an Hemain injunction against Respondent Husband in respect of proceedings brought by him in the USA. An order was obtained providing for an arbitration clause in the pre-marital agreement to be upheld.

PDF

22nd December 2011 | Bailii

Nivin El Gamal v HRH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed al-Maktoum [2011] EWHC B27 (Fam)

Nullity petition: application to determine whether an Islamic wedding ceremony took place and, if so, its legal effect in English law (if any). Held: (1) that there was a ceremony; but (2) this was a non-marriage and not a void marriage. Nullity petition dismissed.

PDF

30th June 2011 | Bailii

N v N [2011] EWCA Civ 940

Appeal in respect of procedural flaws during the hearing of the husband’s against an order in financial remedy proceedings which had granted an extension of the term of a periodical payments order in favour of his former wife. Permission granted and appeal allowed.

PDF

21st December 2010 | Jordan's

T v T [2010] EWHC 3776 (Fam)

The Court considered whether an occupation order amounted to a maintenance order and the court was thus prohibited from making one under Brussels IIR.

PDF

30th July 2010

Ashby v Kilduff [2010] EWHC 2034 (Ch)

A contested trusts of land case involving questions of sham transfers and illegality and a former MP.

PDF

9th June 2010 | Bailii

Constantinou and Others v Wilmot-Josife and Others [2010] EWCA Civ 747

Appeal in the context of proceedings under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Appeal dismissed.

PDF

23rd October 2009 | Jordan's

D v D and Others and the I Trust [2009] EWHC 3062; [2011] 2 FLR 29

Financial relief – Post-nuptial settlement – Jersey trust – Whether court had jurisdiction to vary

PDF

9th July 2009

R v R [2009] EWHC 1267 (Fam)

A ‘big money’ case involving wholly pre-acquired assets.

PDF

1st December 2008 | Bailii

AB v JLB [2008] EWHC 2965 (Fam)

Application to transfer proceedings in relation to a child from the Hague to the High Court in London pursuant to Article 15(2)(c) Brussels II bis in light of ongoing matrimonial and financial remedy proceedings in the English courts. Application summarily dismissed.

PDF

28th May 2008

EJM-D v GLD [2008] EWHC 1929 (Fam)

Appeal against final order made in financial remedy proceedings after a relatively short and childless marriage. Principal issue of housing needs raised on appeal, with the wife arguing that the District Judge had provided inadequately for her needs. Appeal allowed and additional lump sum ordered

PDF

26th June 2006 | Jordan's

Rossi v Rossi [2006] EWHC 1482 (Fam); [2007] 1 FLR 790

Ancillary relief – Dealing with third party interests – Whether necessary to bring separate proceedings under the Partnership Act 1980 and the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996

PDF

29th November 2002 | Jordan's

F v F (S Intervening) (Financial Provision: Bankruptcy: Reviewable Disposition) [2002] EWHC 2814 (Fam); [2003] 1 FLR 911

Divorce – Wife applying for ancillary relief – Registered charge on matrimonial home by intervenor – Whether charge be set aside – Whether husband’s petition in bankruptcy be set aside – Legal Services charge

PDF

16th October 2002

Forder v Forder and Others [2002] EWCA Civ 1527

Application for permission to appeal against an Order made at the outset of a financial remedy application standing over an application for annulment of a bankruptcy order and pending the bankruptcy proceedings, pending the outcome of the financial remedy hearing. Application dismissed.

PDF

28th January 2002 | Jordan's

Kean v Kean [2002] 2 FLR 28

Financial provision – Consent order – Clean break – Application for leave to appeal out of time – Consent order made based on valuation of parties’ assets – Whether subsequent change in valuation of husband’s assets justifying appeal out of time

PDF

Re A and B (Schedule 1: Arbitral Award: Appeal) [2024] EWHC 778

Aldoukhi v Abdullah [2021] EWHC 3086 (Fam) In this ground-breaking case, a Part III MFPA 1984 claim was founded solely on an interest in a matrimonial home in the jurisdiction.

Norman v Norman [2017] EWCA Civ 120 Court of Appeal dismisses proposed appellant’s application to set aside consent order made in financial remedy proceedings.

Norman v Norman [2017] EWCA Civ 49 Wife’s appeal in financial remedy proceedings in which she sought an anonymity order and argued that the law in this regard should change. Appeal refused

M v F (Travel to Non-Convention Country) [2017] EWFC 7 Mother’s application to vary a Prohibited Steps Order – preventing either parent from removing the children – granted, allowing her to remove the parties’ children to Iran, a non-Hague Convention country, temporarily for the purpose of holidays, subject to certain safeguards being in place

ND v SD & Ors [2017] EWHC 1507 (Fam) (21 June 2017) Mrs Justice Roberts dismisses Wife’s attack of a trust owning shares in companies worth £50m.

A (A Child) [2014] EWCA Civ 1577 Schedule 1 case where the mother made an unmerited appplication to vary an order for periodical payments and subsequently appealed, again without merit. Mother ordered to pay a contribution towards the father’s costs.

N v N [2014] EWCA Civ 314 Appeal against a decision that there had been material non-disclosure during the course of an appeal. Consideration of the circumstances in which a court may, on the grounds of material non-disclosure, set aside an order for financial provision following divorce.

T v T [2012] EWHC 3462 (Fam) Application for an Hemain injunction against Respondent Husband in respect of proceedings brought by him in the USA. An order was obtained providing for an arbitration clause in the pre-marital agreement to be upheld.

Nivin El Gamal v HRH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed al-Maktoum [2011] EWHC B27 (Fam) Nullity petition: application to determine whether an Islamic wedding ceremony took place and, if so, its legal effect in English law (if any). Held: (1) that there was a ceremony; but (2) this was a non-marriage and not a void marriage. Nullity petition dismissed.

N v N [2011] EWCA Civ 940 Appeal in respect of procedural flaws during the hearing of the husband’s against an order in financial remedy proceedings which had granted an extension of the term of a periodical payments order in favour of his former wife. Permission granted and appeal allowed.

T v T [2010] EWHC 3776 (Fam) The Court considered whether an occupation order amounted to a maintenance order and the court was thus prohibited from making one under Brussels IIR.

Ashby v Kilduff [2010] EWHC 2034 (Ch) A contested trusts of land case involving questions of sham transfers and illegality and a former MP.

Constantinou and Others v Wilmot-Josife and Others [2010] EWCA Civ 747 Appeal in the context of proceedings under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Appeal dismissed.

D v D and Others and the I Trust [2009] EWHC 3062; [2011] 2 FLR 29 Financial relief – Post-nuptial settlement – Jersey trust – Whether court had jurisdiction to vary.

R v R [2009] EWHC 1267 (Fam) A ‘big money’ case involving wholly pre-acquired assets.

AB v JLB [2008] EWHC 2965 (Fam) Application to transfer proceedings in relation to a child from the Hague to the High Court in London pursuant to Article 15(2)(c) Brussels II bis in light of ongoing matrimonial and financial remedy proceedings in the English courts. Application summarily dismissed.

EJM-D v GLD [2008] EWHC 1929 (Fam) Appeal against final order made in financial remedy proceedings after a relatively short and childless marriage. Principal issue of housing needs raised on appeal, with the wife arguing that the District Judge had provided inadequately for her needs. Appeal allowed and additional lump sum ordered.

Rossi v Rossi [2006] EWHC 1482 (Fam); [2007] 1 FLR 790 Ancillary relief – Dealing with third party interests – Whether necessary to bring separate proceedings under the Partnership Act 1980 and the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.

F v F (S Intervening) (Financial Provision: Bankruptcy: Reviewable Disposition) [2002] EWHC 2814 (Fam); [2003] 1 FLR 911 Divorce – Wife applying for ancillary relief – Registered charge on matrimonial home by intervenor – Whether charge be set aside – Whether husband’s petition in bankruptcy be set aside – Legal Services charge.

Forder v Forder and Others [2002] EWCA Civ 1527 Application for permission to appeal against an Order made at the outset of a financial remedy application standing over an application for annulment of a bankruptcy order and pending the bankruptcy proceedings, pending the outcome of the financial remedy hearing. Application dismissed.

Kean v Kean [2002] 2 FLR 28 Financial provision – Consent order – Clean break – Application for leave to appeal out of time – Consent order made based on valuation of parties’ assets – Whether subsequent change in valuation of husband’s assets justifying appeal out of time