Chambers & Partners UK Bar Guide on 1 Hare Court

Chambers & Partners 2016

"No one needs reminding that 1 Hare Court has many of the leading matrimonial finance barristers in its ranks." A predominantly matrimonial finance set, it is extremely highly regarded and undertakes high-profile, high net worth and complex money work of the best quality. Its members are also experienced in dealing with associated private law children matters. Its roster of recent reported cases includes Cooper v Hohn and the recent Supreme Court case of Vince v Wyatt. The set also hosts a yearly seminar which is described as "really informative and really quite fun."

Client service: One solicitor said: "The clerking is really responsive. They know I use them all the time but even so if I need something they move heaven and earth to make sure I get it. And they’re really entertaining." Steve McCrone is the senior clerk and is "outstanding and very helpful in every way you could think." (Chambers & Partners UK Bar Guide, 2016)

Chambers & Partners 2015

Members at 1 Hare Court are "specialists in their field, who give great quality advice, produce sterling written work and are excellent in court." "Prompt and efficient in all their dealings," they tackle the most high-value and complex matrimonial finance cases, such as Prest v Prest, but also cater to a client base that ranges across all classes and income brackets. The set is active across the country and is noted not just for the top-quality work it undertakes but also for its provision of an annual seminar. Commentators also praise its specialist private dispute resolution practice – it has 18 mediators, eight arbitrators, two collaborative lawyers and ten senior barristers and previous members of the judiciary, all of whom are available for private FDRs.

Client service: "The clerks, headed by Steve McCrone, really do bend over backwards to help us, and they always turn up with something. They are always lovely to deal with." (Chambers & Partners UK Bar Guide, 2015) 1 Hare Court is without doubt in the very top rank of matrimonial finance sets in the country. Its superb complement of leading silks, backed up by a tremendous stable of juniors, comes in for consistently high praise from solicitors, clients and competitors. Specific praise is reserved for its clerking team, headed by Steve McCrone: "The set has a very well-run clerks’ room; the clerks are extremely businesslike." Referring to the set as a whole, one commentator stated:"1 Hare Court is the best. There is a consistency there that you don’t get at other chambers; you will always get talent there whomever you instruct." Also worthy of praise is the fact that the set has expanded its private dispute resolution practice. It now offers 12 mediators, two arbitrators, two collaborative lawyers and five senior barristers, who are available for private financial dispute resolutions."

Chambers & Partners 2014

1 Hare Court is without doubt in the very top rank of matrimonial finance sets in the country. Its superb complement of leading silks, backed up by a tremendous stable of juniors, comes in for consistently high praise from solicitors, clients and competitors. Specific praise is reserved for its clerking team, headed by Steve McCrone: "The set has a very well-run clerks' room; the clerks are extremely businesslike." Referring to the set as a whole, one commentator stated: "1 Hare Court is the best. There is a consistency there that you don’t get at other chambers; you will always get talent there whomever you instruct. Also worthy of praise is the fact that the set has expanded its private dispute resolution practice. It now offers 12 mediators, two arbitrators, two collaborative lawyers and five senior barristers, who are available for private financial dispute resolutions."
Client service: "Steve McCrone is a very fine senior clerk who runs a very impressive ship. You always feel you can rely on the words of the clerks there." (Chambers & Partners UK Bar Guide, 2014)

Chambers & Partners 2013

In the eyes of many observers, 1 Hare Court is the leading set for matrimonial finance. The chambers has a troupe of heavyweight silks at the peak of their profession and an equally impressive array of leading juniors, prompting one source to comment that "they really are the best and biggest players." The clerking team, headed by Steve McCrone, also receives strong plaudits from instructing solicitors, with one interviewee commenting that "the clerks ring you back promptly and look for solutions – if the right barrister isn’t available they will even look at other sets for someone to assist. There is nothing they could improve upon." (Chambers & Partners UK Bar Guide 2013)

Chambers & Partners 2012

This pre-eminent family set continues to be at the forefront of high-end ancillary relief work, and is increasingly involved in cases with international dimensions. Many of its members are also specialists when it comes to drafting pre- and postnuptial agreements. With three of its juniors taking silk this past year, it now houses more silks than any other set exclusively dedicated to family law. Because of the "strength in depth of the barristers," it remains the set of choice for many of London’s top solicitors, who are attracted to it not just because of the consistently high quality of its members but also because it is "totally in tune with developments in the law and keeps everyone up to speed." (Chambers UK Guide 2012)

Chambers & Partners 2011

1 Hare Court is known nationally for its depth of expertise in matrimonial finance. It has a glut of leading silks and extensive junior talent, as well as a clerking team that has been together for nigh on a decade now. Solicitors from London and further afield treat it as a first port of call because "whoever you instruct they will be experienced and well thought of." (Chambers UK Guide, 2011)

Chambers & Partners 2010

Always at the forefront of the major cases, they constitute "the crème de la crème of the Family Bar" (Chambers UK Guide, 2010)

Chambers & Partners 2009

1 Hare Court’s "clerking squad has no equal" and "its family team is one of the best there is." It houses experienced silks and juniors in abundance, who handle some children work but are at their busiest tackling matrimonial finance matters. The set is home to some of the foremost names at the Family Bar … (Chambers UK Guide, 2009)