Welcome from the Head of the Family Group

St Philips Family is one of the largest specialist family law groups in the country, offering exceptional depth of experience across children, finance and domestic abuse work.

Our barristers advise and represent clients across three core practice areas: family finance, private law children and domestic abuse, and public law care and adoption. Whether the case involves complex financial structures, the most serious allegations in care proceedings, or an intractable contact dispute, we provide the calibre of advocacy and advice that these cases demand.

Family cases are uniquely complex. They require looking backwards into the past and forwards into the future, often at the same time. The decisions made can affect families for generations. That complexity calls for barristers who are not only exceptionally able, but accessible and approachable. Our clients, the legal directories and the reported cases all confirm that St Philips Family delivers on both counts.

“St Philips family law group are regularly in the most complex care cases, private law children cases and financial remedy cases in the Midlands.” — Chambers & Partners 2026

“St Philips is the go-to chambers in Birmingham with top-class barristers, but having top class barristers do not make the chambers alone – it is also having top class clerks.” — Legal 500 2026

“St Philips Chambers is a strong set with an excellent reputation on complex cases.” — Legal 500

Our Family Barristers:

Please get in touch with our dedicated family clerking team with any questions regarding our service and expertise.

Mark Mansell, Anthony Burgess, Kelly Fullwood, Sarah Doyle and Ellie Hogan-Evans.

family@st-philips.com +44 (0)121 246 1600
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Lauren Starmer
Family
15/04/2026

Finalising at IRH: robust resolution or forfeited fairness? A reflection...

Introduction In his judgment of Re S-W (children) [2015] EWCA Civ 27, Sir James Munby quoted the age-old maxim that ‘justice delayed is justice denied’ but went on to make...

Care Conference 2026 - Save the Date
Events
15/04/2026

Public Law Proceedings in the Age of Tech & AI: Care...

We are delighted to announce further details concerning our upcoming Annual Care Conference – Public Law Proceedings in the Age of Tech & AI. A full-day programme featuring external speakers and Barristers...

Hannah Jarvis
Family
01/04/2026

Standard of Living and Financial Needs: Invasion of Non-Matrimonial Assets...

Pupil barrister Hannah Jarvis explores how the courts approach financial needs in short marriages, focusing on when non-matrimonial assets may be brought into play. Distribution of Assets The objective of...

William Horwood & Lauren Starmer
Family
20/03/2026

Court of Appeal Hands Down Judgment in Re J, Re...

The Court of Appeal has today handed down judgment in Re J, Re M, Re P (Loss of Parental Responsibility) [2026] EWCA Civ 344, three conjoined appeals dealing with legal parentage. The...

Care Conference 2026 - Save the Date
Family
12/03/2026

Care Conference: Public Law Proceedings in the Age of Tech...

We are delighted to confirm that our Annual Child Care Conference will be returning on Friday, 12th June 2026 at the Library of Birmingham. Following last year’s success, we are...

Katie Stephens
Family
18/02/2026

Personal Conduct in Financial Remedy Proceedings: What Cusworth J’s Recent...

Katie Stephens has had an article “Personal Conduct in Financial Remedy Proceedings: What Cusworth J’s Recent Decisions Tell Us” published by Financial Remedies Journal. In the article, Katie discusses two...

Family
05/02/2026

Anna Peaston to Return to Chambers following Maternity Leave

We are delighted to inform you that Anna Peaston will return to the St Philips Family Team on Monday 16th February 2026 following her Maternity Leave. Anna is a specialist family...

St. Philips Chambers
Family
26/01/2026

Vacancy: Senior Family Clerk

We are recruiting for a senior leader, responsible for the strategic direction, commercial performance, and long-term development of Chambers’ Family Practice. Working closely with the Chief Executive and Director of Clerking,...

William Horwood & Lauren Starmer
Family
21/11/2025

William Horwood and Lauren Starmer to appear in landmark appeal

The Court of Appeal will next week hear three conjoined appeals dealing with legal parentage. The court will consider the impact of a declaration of non-parentage in the case of...

Sara Lewis KC & Carolyn Jones
Family
17/11/2025

Sara Lewis KC & Carolyn Jones Appeared for 1st Respondent...

Sara Lewis KC and Carolyn Jones appeared for the first respondent in Re N (A Child) (Death of Sibling) [2025] EWFC 325. The case concerned care proceedings brought by a...