
"Brilliant in all respects, especially on complex finance issues." Chambers Guide to the UK Bar
Overview
Gareth specialises exclusively in financial remedies and TOLATA applications and has been consistently ranked as a leading practitioner in the field by the Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 directories, describing him as “exceptional, approachable and extremely knowledgeable.”
Gareth regularly acts and advises in the most complex of financial remedies cases involving high net worth clients, high-profile individuals and issues relating to businesses and trusts
Gareth has a particular expertise and interest in acting in agricultural divorce cases across the country. Living in rural Lincolnshire, Gareth has a thorough understanding of the particular needs and intricacies of such cases.
Gareth sits regularly as a Private FDR evaluator and is one of the leading individuals in this field in the East Midlands. Gareth is a qualified Arbitrator under the IFLA Financial Scheme allowing him to arbitrate financial remedy, TOLATA and Schedule 1 disputes.
Practice Areas
Matrimonial Finance
Gareth regularly represents both husbands and wives following the breakdown of their marriage and the subsequent financial remedy proceedings before the courts. Gareth specialises in every aspect of family finance including (but not limited to):
- Applications under Schedule I of the Children Act 1989;
- Freezing injunctions and applications under s.37 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973;
- Applications involving Trusts and Intervenors;
- Applications for enforcement of orders;
- Applications to vary / suspend / terminate or capitalise maintenance;
- Civil Partnerships;
- Appeals;
- Cases involving high net worth individuals;
- Cases involving inherited or pre / post acquired assets;
- Cases involving businesses and trusts;
- Cases with an agricultural element;
- Conducting and representing clients at Private FDR’s and Arbitrations;
- Applications under TOLATA with respect of cohabiting couples.
Gareth is able to provide expert advice in conference before proceedings have been issued to advise the client as to a realistic settlement, in the hope of avoiding litigation.
Gareth regularly appears both in person and remotely before courts across the East Midlands, Yorkshire and East Anglia (and before High Court Judges of the Financial Remedies Court).
Gareth is known for the clarity of his advice and the sensible, client-focused way in which he approaches financial remedy cases and has been consistently ranked as a leading practitioner in the field by the Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 directories.
Cases with an Agricultural Element
Living in rural Lincolnshire and being a member of the local farming community, Gareth has a particular interest and expertise in advising and representing clients in financial remedy cases that have an agricultural element to them, be it property, land or livestock.
Gareth’s expertise in such cases has been recognised by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners Guide to the Bar and Gareth’s reputation across the East Midlands in relation to such cases is formidable.
In this niche practice, Gareth frequently represents both farmers and their ex-spouses in the most difficult and complex divorce case across the country.
Prenuptial / Cohabitation Agreements
Gareth advises on and drafts prenuptial, postnuptial and cohabitation agreements for people who wish to settle their financial matters in advance of any marriage, civil partnership or cohabitation.
He has given seminars to local solicitors on this evolving area of law and regularly provides clear written advice to clients on their proposed agreements.
Unmarried Couples
Gareth is skilled at representing unmarried couples that have separated and need to resolve their finances following the breakdown of their relationship under TOLATA proceedings. This area of law is complex, and Gareth’s analytical skills and knowledge of the procedure and law have helped guide many clients and solicitors through TOLATA proceedings.
Committal Applications
Gareth is skilled at the bringing and defending of committal applications financial remedy proceedings. Recent cases have seen Gareth secure the committal to prison of parties for breaching undertakings and failure to disclose assets in financial remedy proceedings.
Committal applications require a close attention to detail given the prescriptive nature of the rules that govern this particular area. Gareth is able to advise on and draft such documents that are required to have an effective committal or defence
Private FDR
Gareth was a founding member of our Dispute Resolution service and regularly sits as an independent evaluator at Private FDR’s, giving thorough and thoughtful indications to individuals using the service.
Gareth has represented numerous clients at Private FDR’s and is known as one of the leading individuals in this field in the East Midlands.
Arbitration
Gareth is a qualified arbitrator under the IFLA Financial Scheme. Under the scheme, Gareth can arbitrate financial remedy, TOLATA and Schedule 1 disputes allowing parties an alternative to having their dispute determined by the court for a fixed fee.
Cases & Publications
Recent cases
Gareth recently appeared in the High Court and successfully argued in front of Holman J for the setting aside of a divorce secured overseas by one party to the marriage which prevented the other side from applying for financial relief in England.
A further case involved representing a husband during agricultural financial relief proceedings following a 20-year marriage with assets of over £6.2 million. The husband retained the farm and land and an order was approved by the Court in line with his advice.
Articles
Testimonials
'Highly competent and eloquent advocate’ 'He has a pleasant client manner and is always prepared to go the extra mile.’ (The Legal 500 2023)
‘Gareth is incredibly committed with a very pleasant and empathetic client manner. Nothing is too much trouble. He works incredibly hard and is not afraid to “think out of the box”.' (The Legal 500 2022)
"Gareth is a detailed and knowledgeable counsel who never fails to deliver exemplary advice. He is extremely helpful and a true expert in his field." "He is sensible and focused with an excellent client manner."(Chambers Guide to the Bar 2022)
"He is exceptional: he is always approachable, pays massive attention to detail and has a really good financial knowledge and can be relied upon. He is committed to his clients" (Chambers Guide to the Bar 2020)
“Experienced in handling divorce cases involving large agricultural estates. "Brilliant in all respects, especially on complex finance issues." "Very smart and very personable." (Chambers Guide to the Bar 2019)
"Has excellent advocacy skills and is tenacious in cross-examination." "He is extremely knowledgeable on complex financial proceedings and his preparation is second to none." (Chambers Guide to the UK Bar 2018)

Contact Gareth
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