Chambers & Partners comments:
Regarded as "legends in the Midlands," Michael Keehan QC is a top silk at St. Ive's Chambers. Keehan is a "superb" practitioner who is highly respected for his care practice, “He knows the area inside out, is good with the facts of each case and is approachable.”

Margaret Hodgson who is head of the family group, has a well-established children's practice and is ready and willing to fight her client's corner. She is highly recommended for her work on children and “comes into her own on difficult cases.” "Knowledgeable and confident,"

Paul Lopez is admired for his “authoritative presence in court.” And is a "well-prepared" lawyer who is "on top of his brief." Jayne Mullen specialises in complex and high net worth ancillary relief. She is widely admired as "hugely organised and a brilliant advocate."

Nicholas Cole, who continues to impress the market, is singled out by interviewees as one to watch and duly makes his first appearance in the tables. He has "a great eye for detail," which he applies to money and children's cases. He is a "measured and controlled" advocate who commands a "strong presence" and is “hard-working”.

The “charming” Jeremy Weston is new to the guide and has been singled out by his peers for putting up a good fight in court. He takes on cases across a broad range of family law.

St. Ive's Chambers boasts junior talent in the guise of Peter Carr and
Peter Cooper, both of whom secured market respect for being “excellent across the broad spectrum of criminal offences".

St Ive’s Chambers has a plethora of counsel practising different aspects of family law. Towering over them is Michael Keehan QC, who is “just superb for public law family cases - the one you'd want if it was your family,” according to one senior source. He sits part-time as a deputy high court judge and has a national profile for shaken baby cases. He also undertakes some private children law cases and ancillary relief work. Paul Lopez also handles private law family cases, but his centre of gravity is firmly in serious public law cases involving complex medical or other expert evidence. “Very well prepared and authoritative,” according to interviewees, “he comes along to court and just tells them how it’s going to be.” Also well regarded and authoritative, Margaret Hodgson combines heading the family group at the set with a broad family practice that includes private and public children’s law. Nicholas Cole’s practice is even broader, as he applies his pre-legal scientific training to a range of practice areas. “Very reliable and great on detail,” he is increasingly in demand for both financial and public law family cases. Somewhat more experienced, Jayne Mullen impresses the market as “a very sensible barrister who is always well received by the court.” She focuses exclusively on ancillary relief, across all asset ranges. Finally for St Ive’s, Jeremy Weston continues to get the thumbs up from instructing solicitors practising in all areas of family law. He is described as “confident, able and always properly prepared.”

The UK Legal 500 comments:
St Ive's Chambers has expanded to some 54 members under new head
Michael Keehan QC; former head Julia Macur was appointed to the High Court Bench in October 2005. Well known for its excellent family practitioners, St Ive's Chambers also fields strong criminal, ,ancillary relief, employment and housing groups.

Individually;

Michael Keehan QC, is universally respected and 'has a generous approach'. Margaret Hodgson, head of the family group, is sought for difficult children cases and Jayne Mullen is an excellent choice for divorce where family businesses or complex pension splitting is involved. Stefano Nuvoloni is an experienced junior who has proved his mettle in some complex cases. Catherine Rowlands has established a formidable reputation for her housing work. David Jackson is commended for his serious crime work and ex-CPS prosecutor Peter Cooper is a "quality performer".