Introduction
Jonathan Nosworthy is head of the St Philips Family Finance Team. Jonathan is ranked in Band One in Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 as a specialist financial remedy practitioner. He provides advice and representation in cases involving all aspects of the financial consequences of marriage, civil partnership and other domestic relationship breakdown.
He has considerable expertise in dealing with very complex financial remedy claims involving large quantities of paperwork. He is particularly adept in dealing with cases involving substantial assets, business assets, overseas assets, pensions, trusts and the intervention of third parties. Further, he has significant experience in conducting cases involving applications to preserve assets (freezing orders) and involving applications to set aside transactions.
He also has extremely detailed knowledge of the law in relation to trusts of land and Schedule One of the Children Act 1989. Jonathan is one of the authors of “Cohabitation Claims – A Resolution Guide.”
He has provided seminars and lectures to other members of the legal profession on these topics.
His clients include business people, professional sportsmen, barristers, solicitors, medics, accountants, farmers, landowners and their spouses.
Jonathan receives instructions to sit as a private FDR judge.
Family Finance Team
Jonathan is a financial specialist. He undertakes work concerning the following:
• Divorce / dissolution of civil partnership (including jurisdiction and forum disputes);
• The financial consequences of divorce and dissolution of civil partnerships (including applications for financial relief following a foreign divorce);
• Nuptial and cohabitation agreements;
• Applications brought under Schedule One of the Children Act 1989; and
• Disputes over the beneficial ownership of property.
He is regular instructed in very complex cases involving substantial assets.
Recent Cases:
Examples of Jonathan’s current / recent cases (unless otherwise stated Jonathan has appeared alone in all of these):
• C v S [2024] – a complex financial multi-faceted remedy case involving assets worth more than £80 million (appearing with Harry Nosworthy). The opposing spouse is represented by Kings Counsel and Junior Counsel.
• A v G [2024] – a large financial remedy case representing a successful entrepreneur. There were significant allegations of non-disclosure. The opposing spouse is represented by Kings Counsel. Settled at a private FDR.
• Mclean v Mclean and others [2023] – a successful appeal before Roberts J (appearing with Davinia Riley and representing third party companies) mainly concerning the principles of joinder of third parties to financial remedy proceedings. The husband was represented by Kings Counsel and Junior Counsel.
• D v S [2023] – a matter involving assets of more than £20 million. There were significant conduct allegations. The opposing spouse is represented by Kings Counsel. Settled after a private FDR.
• H v H [2022] – a complex financial remedy case involving assets worth well in excess of £100 million. The matter concerned complex corporate restructuring issues. Settled at a private FDR (Led by Lewis Marks KC.)
• R v A Premiership Footballer [2022] – A substantial Schedule One case involving media issues. The opposing party was represented by Kings Counsel. Settled at a private FDR.
• M v M [2021] – A case involving assets in excess of £30 million which concerned the validity of nuptial agreement. The opposing spouse was represented by Kings Counsel and Junior Counsel.
• F v F [2021] – A case involving assets worth in excess of £65 million and complex valuation evidence.
• S v A Former Premiership / International Footballer [2020] – A difficult case involving complex tax issues. The opposing spouse was represented by Kings Counsel.
• K v K and another [2020] – A multi-faceted case involving issues of non-disclosure, overseas trusts and the beneficial ownership of property. It culminated in an 8-day final hearing where the opposing spouse with represented by Kings Counsel.
Non-court dispute resolution
Jonathan regularly acts as the adjudicator at private FDRs.
Publications/Training
Jonathan is regularly invited to give talks and seminars to ‘branches’ of the Law Society and Resolution and to solicitors’ firms.
Co-author of Cohabitation Claims – A Resolution Guide
Reported Cases
McLean v Mclean & Ors [2023] EWHC 1735 (Fam)
BF v LE [2023] EWHC 2009 (Fam)
Education
University of Birmingham – Bsc (hons)
College of Law – Dip Law
College of Law – BVC
Harmsworth Scholar (Middle Temple)
Appointments and Memberships
Deputy District Judge (sitting in Civil and as a Specialist Financial Remedies Judge)
Testimonials
“Jonathan is much sought after and he’s adored by his clients and admired by professionals.” Chambers & Partners 2025
“He’s absolutely phenomenal in court.” Chambers & Partners 2025
“He gets excellent results for clients and is extremely intelligent.” Chambers & Partners 2025
“Jonathan is an extremely persuasive and gifted advocate who has impeccable instincts. He is phenomenally well respected and regularly goes up against the top silks and is more than a match, often outmanoeuvring them. He is a first-class operator that provides a Rolls-Royce level of client care.” Legal 500 2025
“Jonathan is always meticulously prepared, incredibly sensible and pragmatic. He is an excellent negotiator and equally effective advocate who always seems to hit the right note with the judges.” Legal 500 2024
“Jonathan is an outstanding barrister in every respect. He is sharp, commercial, human and skilled.” Chambers & Partners 2024
“Jonathan is exceptionally bright, his technical ability is phenomenal and his client care skills are second to none.” Chambers & Partners 2024
“Jonathan stands out as being unbelievably clever, both with his knowledge and creativity in resolving complex cases. Jonathan is a brilliant advocate who commands the attention of the court.” Chambers & Partners 2024
“Jonathan is always very well prepared and has great manners with clients. He has a great style when he delivers his advocacy and is able to deal with the most difficult opponent or opposition.” Legal 500 2023
“Jonathan has a great manner and provides accurate advice.” Chambers & Partners 2023
“A knowledgeable barrister for higher-end matters.” Chambers & Partners 2023
“Jonathan is just brilliant. He has a great skill for advocacy, client care and preparation detail.” Chambers & Partners 2023
“He has a lovely manner and is excellent with clients. He’s down-to-earth and straightforward, not wasting time on silly points and gives clear advice.” Chambers UK 2022
“He’s a brilliant matrimonial finance specialist and has now reached a point where he just commands the courtroom.” Chambers UK 2022
“Jonathan is the expert on cohabitation disputes and it is hard to find better than him.” Chambers UK 2022
“Jonathan combines his incredible intelligence with charm and gravitas making him a first-class operator. He is meticulous in his preparation and polished in his advocacy without being unnecessarily tendentious. Jonathan has it all.” Legal 500
“He’s extremely well regarded for financial remedy work. He’s very well prepared, extremely personable with solicitors and clients, and very effective in terms of cross-examination.” Chambers UK
“His knowledge of family law is outstanding, and he’s a masterful and impressive advocate who is a joy to watch in action.” Chambers UK
“Extremely popular with clients and a highly effective advocate.” Chambers UK
“He is bright and has an extensive and detailed knowledge of the law.” Chambers UK
“A formidable advocate with excellent knowledge of family law.” Legal 500
“An exceptional cross-examiner, who is brilliant with clients; a silk in the making.” Legal 500
“An expert cross-examiner, who provides great client skills and second-to-none preparation.” Legal 500
“He is the best barrister I have ever used. His knowledge and preparation are brilliant, his cross-examination is fantastic, he is proactive and he cares.” Chambers UK
“He is absolutely brilliant, well respected in the community, and has a knack of being able to simplify the detail. Clients really like him and I couldn’t speak more highly of him.” Chambers UK
“Approachable and pragmatic, with an outstanding ability to understand and prepare a case which is used to great effect in cross-examination.” Chambers UK
“Forms strong working relationships with instructing solicitors.” Chambers UK
“He is one of the most well-prepared, knowledgeable and approachable of counsel I instruct.” Chambers UK
“Particularly adept in complex ancillary relief matters. Sources praise him as a rising star because of his impressive advocacy skills and strong dedication to his clients.” Chambers UK
