Mark practises exclusively in family law and specialises in matters relating to children. He has a busy practice and a reputation for providing excellent client care and being thoroughly prepared. Mark aims to provide realistic and pragmatic advice whilst always being prepared to fight his client’s case.
Mark is a care specialist and in recent years has regularly appeared in lengthy and complex proceedings. He has been instructed in cases involving the most serious of allegations including the death of a child, brain injuries and inter-familial sexual abuse. Mark is regularly led by Queen’s Counsel.
Mark accepts instructions on behalf of children in private law proceedings.
He has particular experience of protracted proceedings involving intractable disputes and serious allegations of sexual and physical abuse.
Outside of his practice, Mark is the Secretary of the West Midlands Family Law Bar Association. As such he is responsible for organising training events and functions for the local family Bar.
MA (Oxon)
Graduate Diploma in Law, Manchester Law School
Bar Vocational Course, Manchester Law School
Midland Circuit
Family Law Bar Association
Secretary of the West Midlands Family Law Bar Association
The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
Birmingham City School of Law Advisory Board
Local Family Justice Board (representative for the Birmingham family bar)
FreeBar
Chambers and Partners 2023: “Mark quickly grasps both the minute detail and the whole picture in cases. He is extremely organised, well-mannered and a pleasure to work with.” “Mark has the ability to come to terms with a case very quickly and his written work is always succinct and very persuasive.” “He is a very good tactician in complex matters and has good client care skills too.”
Legal 500 2023: “Mark is extremely thorough, with an exceptional eye for detail. He is passionate about ensuring the very best outcome for every one of his clients. His client care skills are remarkable, always making sure that the client is at ease. He always remains calm and collected, yet his advocacy is powerful and effective. He is extremely methodical and organised.”
Chambers & Partners 2022: “Mark goes the extra mile with his client care and has sound legal knowledge. He is passionate about those he represents and is eloquent in his oral presentation and drafting.” “Mark brings to his advocacy brilliant writing skills and sensible, clear advice.”
Legal 500 2022: “Mark is adept at grasping big cases quickly. His ability to distil a complex case is impressive and indicative of his intellect.”
Chambers and Partners 2021: “He prepares extraordinarily well and has a wonderful client manner. It does not matter whether it is the most sophisticated person or the most vulnerable person that he is representing, he has the ability to talk to them in a language that they understand.” “He is graceful and calm on the surface but you know that he has put the work in to get to that point. I am always impressed with the speed of his work and the quality of his position statements.”
Legal 500 2021: “A well-rounded barrister who goes above and beyond for his clients.”
Chambers and Partners 2020: “He is personable, extremely well prepared and very focused on the right outcome.”
Legal 500 2020: “He provides first-class client care.”
Chambers and Partners 2019: “Calm and compelling, he grasps the issues in a case and wins the confidence of judges.” “His cross-examination has a pinpoint accuracy which leaves the court in no doubt as to who is in control of the case.”
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St Ives Chambers is particularly well known for its family law expertise, which spans family finance, children and care matters………. Other key areas include crime and regulatory, commercial, Chancery and banking matters……Legal 500
