Nicola Saxton KC works exclusively in the field of Family Law on the North Eastern Circuit, Northern Circuit and London. She has become known as one of the leading counsel in the field of financial remedy.

Clients warm to her “understanding and approachable manner” and report that “she is always impeccably well-prepared… a great listener and someone you feel is never less than 100% on your side.”

A First Class graduate in Law from the University of Cambridge, Nicola first set her sights on becoming a barrister at the age of 14. She says that she has a particular affinity for family law because: “It’s an area where I feel I can make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Nicola lectures on Circuit to both the FLBA and Resolution and has been a participant in exhibition debates on circuit.

Expertise

Nicola undertakes financial remedy work for high net worth individuals and is regularly involved in high court cases where the assets exceed £10m and has acted as junior in cases of substantial value and complexity. Nicola has been involved in a number of high net worth high court matters, typically listed from 3 – 9 days and involving assets of £5m – £25m. Her cases involve family businesses and privately owned companies. She has experience of both foreign and domestic trusts.

Notable Financial Remedy cases


Representation of wife on 9 day high court preliminary application to set aside disposition of assets into Hong Kong trust.


Junior in 5 day case in the high court involving complex business and personal assets value circa £30m and thereafter successfully represented the husband on appeal on a “Barder” point.


Representation of wife in 3 day high court matter involving assets circa £7.5m including complex family trust and business assets.


Farming/inherited wealth ancillary relief – assets circa £25m.


Successfully represented a wife on a need based claim involving partially non matrimonial assets £4.5m and pension assets £4.1m. The wife received capital and pension assets of just under £3m following a modest length childless marriage; £1.5m more than the husband offered.


Successfully resisted wife’s claims for equal pension sharing order upon variation of maintenance claim. Wife seeking pension share 44% of husband’s pension post retirement. Received 11.1%.


Successfully represented a husband against his wife’s claims for over £5m and a joint lives maintenance order on the basis of a company valuation of £6-10m. After a 2 week High Court hearing the judge awarded the wife just 43% of the assets and limited term maintenance based upon a company valuation of £1.2m. The departure from equality reflected both costs in view of the wife’s litigation conduct and 50% of the reduction in the value of the company since the husband‘s open offer.


In a case with assets of between £22-£27m (depending upon the valuation of the company) and trust assets of £5m, on behalf of the husband at a private FDR Nicola negotiated a settlement of £7m by instalments in favour of the wife based upon needs rather than sharing to reflect the provenance of the assets.


At a 12 day preliminary hearing representing the wife, Nicola successfully resisted claims by the wider family to assets of c. £800,000 based upon trust, estoppel and gift and succeeded in recession claims and set aside to a value of over £750,000. Overall assets were restored to be divided between the parties of over £1.5m.


A case involving assets of over £25m following a 5 day high Court hearing on behalf of the husband, Nicola successfully established the ring-fencing of £3m of the assets based upon the provenance of the assets, notwithstanding that entire sum had been vested in the family home throughout the 15 year marriage and was properly classified as matrimonial property.


On behalf of a wife involving limited capital but a high income of over £750,000 gross p/a, Nicola successfully negotiated a settlement based upon a sharing of future income on a stockpiling basis.


MF v SF (Financial Remedy: Financial Conduct) [2016] 2 FLR 622


FS v PS [2015] EWhc 2797


AR v AR [2011] EWHC 2717 (Fam)


Richardson v Richardson [2011] EWCA Civ 79

In addition to financial remedy cases work Nicola regularly undertakes schedule 1 claims and Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996TOLATA applications.

Notable Trusts cases


Representation of wife on 9 day preliminary application to set aside disposition of assets into Hong Kong trust. High Court.


Junior in 5 day case in High court involving complex business and personal assets value circa £30m. Presently on appeal on “Barder” point.


Representation of wife in 3 day high court matter involving assets circa £7.5m including complex family trust and business assets.


Farming / inherited wealth ancillary relief – assets circa £25m.


Successfully represented a wife on a needs based claim involving partially non matrimonial assets £4.5m and pension assets £4.1m. The wife received capital and pension assets of just under £3m following a modest length childless marriage; £1.5m more than the husband offered.


Successfully resisted wife’s claims for equal pension sharing order upon variation of maintenance claim. Wife seeking pension share 44% of husband’s pension post retirement. Received 11.1%.


Successfully represented a husband against his wife’s claims for over £5m and a joint lives maintenance order on the basis of a company valuation of £6-10m. After a 2 week High Court hearing the judge awarded the wife just 43% of the assets and limited term maintenance based upon a company valuation of £1.2m. The departure from equality reflected both costs in view of the wife’s litigation conduct and 50% of the reduction in the value of the company since the husband‘s open offer.


In a case with assets of between £22-27m (depending upon the valuation of the company) and trust assets of £5m, on behalf of the husband at a private FDR negotiated a settlement of £7m by instalments in favour of the wife based upon needs rather than sharing to reflect the provenance of the assets.


At a 12 day preliminary hearing representing the wife, successfully resisted claims by the wider family to assets of c. £800,000 based upon trust, estoppel and gift and succeeded in recession claims and set aside to a value of over £750,000. Overall assets were restored to be divided between the parties of over £1.5m.


In case involving assets of over £25m following a 5 day high Court hearing on behalf of the husband successfully established the ring-fencing of £3m of the assets based upon the provenance of the assets, notwithstanding that entire sum had been vested in the family home throughout the 15 year marriage and was properly classified as matrimonial property.


On behalf of a wife involving limited capital but a high income of over £750,000 gross p/a, successfully negotiated a settlement based upon a sharing of future income on a stockpiling basis.

Nicola is a qualified arbitrator and is a member of CIArb and of a Yorkshire based arbitration group, Family Financial Arbitration.

Nicola has a holistic and commercial approach to litigation and, in addition to her advocacy in court she has concluded negotiated settlements with assets up to £450m and regularly represents clients at joint settlement meetings, private Financial Dispute Resolution hearings and Arbitrations.

News & Insights

"Nicola Saxton of St Pauls Chambers is a star senior junior with a vast amount of experience in complex finance matters. She regularly advises high-net-worth individuals on cases involving corporate assets and trusts as well as farms."

Chambers & Partners 2024 - Star Individual Family - Matrimonial Finance

"Arguably the best barrister in the North of England. Her ability is second to none in terms of how she thinks on her feet"

Chambers & Partners 2024 - Family Matrimonial Finance

"On family financial matters, she is at the top of the game. Her attention to detail is phenomenal."

Chambers & Partners 2023 - Family / Matrimonial

"She is more than capable of holding her own against silks."

The Legal 500 2023

"A money silk in the making."

The Legal 500 2022

"Recommended for high-value matrimonial finance cases."

The Legal 500 2022

"You can breathe a sigh of relief when you dispatch your brief to her."

The Legal 500 2021

"Nikki is exceptional in cases. She is frequently up against QC opponents and holds her own."

Chambers & Partners 2023 Family / Matrimonial

"A first-class advocate with immaculate preparation. She grasps the issues in a case very quickly."

Chambers & Partners 2022 - Family / Matrimonial

"Her attention to detail and performance on her feet are outstanding, as is the rapport she is able to build with clients and instructing solicitors."

Chambers & Partners 2021- Family / Matrimonial

Memberships

  • CIArb
  • Family Financial Arbitration

News & Insights

Contact Us

Chambers is centrally located within walking distance of the train station, secure car parks and the Courts.

Contact Us

St Pauls Chambers
Park Row House
19-20 Park Row
Leeds
LS1 5JF

For out of hours assistance please call the senior clerk on 07854170429.

The switchboard will open from 08:30 until 17:30

Phone: +44 (0)1132 455 866
Email: [email protected]
CJSM: [email protected]

Portfolio Builder

Select the expertise that you would like to download or add to the portfolio

Download    Add to portfolio   
Portfolio
Title Type CV Email

Remove All

Download


Click here to share this shortlist.
(It will expire after 30 days.)