”She is an absolutely brilliant international lawyer, who thoroughly understands cases with a foreign dimension to them. Lily is head and shoulders above other barristers of her generation.”
”Her legal knowledge of tricky jurisdictional issues is encyclopaedic. Her advocacy is concise, persuasive and confident.”
Lily is a leading matrimonial finance senior junior ranked in Band 1 of Chambers & Partners. She practices all aspects of private family law, particularly the financial and cross-border elements.
She was named Family Law Junior Barrister of the Year at the Chambers and Partners UK Bar Awards 2023 (having been shortlisted once before in 2019) and was shortlisted International Family Lawyer of the Year at the LexisNexis Family Law Awards 2023.
She was junior counsel for the winning team in one the most cited financial remedy Court of Appeal cases of the last ten years, Waggott v Waggott [2018] EWCA Civ 727, and has appeared as successful sole counsel in two cases of particular significance, of SA v FA [2022] EWFC 115, a landmark jurisdiction and forum case concerning the UAE, and SC v TC [2022] EWFC 67 in which she challenged a postnuptial agreement procured by undue influence.
She is a sought-after advisor by overseas lawyers (Europe, USA, Singapore and further afield) and has been retained as shadow counsel in cases in the Bahamas and Isle of Man working closely with local counsel on HNW and UHNW matters.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Lily was an Analyst in the UK M&A team at Merrill lynch making her well-placed to advise in cases involving complex companies structures and valuations. She has experience of cases involving companies in green energy, food distribution, real estate, hospitality, professional services, medical/dental practices, music rights, and much more.
In addition to her experience in the financial sector, Lily has first-hand knowledge of the international art market making her a go-to in matters involving the valuation and division of world class art collections. In 2019, she completed the Diploma of Art Profession Law and Ethics at the Institute of Art and Law with Distinction.
As the author of the chapter on declarations of marital status and co-author of the chapter on the English court’s approach to the recognition of overseas divorces in the latest edition of the leading family law textbook, Rayden and Jackson, Lily is recognised for her additional expertise in matters concerning marital status and is a leading advisor and advocate on such issues.
”She is an absolutely brilliant international lawyer, who thoroughly understands cases with a foreign dimension to them. Lily is head and shoulders above other barristers of her generation.”
”Her legal knowledge of tricky jurisdictional issues is encyclopaedic. Her advocacy is concise, persuasive and confident.”
Lily is a leading matrimonial finance senior junior ranked in Band 1 of Chambers & Partners. She practices all aspects of private family law, particularly the financial and cross-border elements.
She was named Family Law Junior Barrister of the Year at the Chambers and Partners UK Bar Awards 2023 (having been shortlisted once before in 2019) and was shortlisted International Family Lawyer of the Year at the LexisNexis Family Law Awards 2023.
She was junior counsel for the winning team in one the most cited financial remedy Court of Appeal cases of the last ten years, Waggott v Waggott [2018] EWCA Civ 727, and has appeared as successful sole counsel in two cases of particular significance, of SA v FA [2022] EWFC 115, a landmark jurisdiction and forum case concerning the UAE, and SC v TC [2022] EWFC 67 in which she challenged a postnuptial agreement procured by undue influence.
She is a sought-after advisor by overseas lawyers (Europe, USA, Singapore and further afield) and has been retained as shadow counsel in cases in the Bahamas and Isle of Man working closely with local counsel on HNW and UHNW matters.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Lily was an Analyst in the UK M&A team at Merrill lynch making her well-placed to advise in cases involving complex companies structures and valuations. She has experience of cases involving companies in green energy, food distribution, real estate, hospitality, professional services, medical/dental practices, music rights, and much more.
In addition to her experience in the financial sector, Lily has first-hand knowledge of the international art market making her a go-to in matters involving the valuation and division of world class art collections. In 2019, she completed the Diploma of Art Profession Law and Ethics at the Institute of Art and Law with Distinction.
As the author of the chapter on declarations of marital status and co-author of the chapter on the English court’s approach to the recognition of overseas divorces in the latest edition of the leading family law textbook, Rayden and Jackson, Lily is recognised for her additional expertise in matters concerning marital status and is a leading advisor and advocate on such issues.
Vince v Vince (Re Transparency) [2024] EWFC 406 (before Mr Justice Cusworth) (High Court), led by Richard Todd KC in an application concerning the media’s rights to documents in financial remedy proceedings.
Vince v Vince [2024] EWFC 389 (before Mr Justice Cusworth) (High Court), led by Richard Todd KC in a highly publicised financial remedy matter concerning the extent to which there should be a departure from equality in the Husband’s favour on account of pre-marital endeavour in a well-known British green energy business.
MN v AN [2023] EWHC 613 (Fam) (before Mr Justice Moor) (High Court), led by Deborah Bangay QC, a case concerning the weight to be attached to a prenuptial agreement.
SA v FA [2022] EWFC 115 (before HHJ Hess) where she sought a stay of divorce and financial remedy proceedings in England and Wales on forum non conveniens grounds in favour of proceedings in the Abu Dhabi Family court for Non-Muslims and was successful.
SC v TC [2022] EWFC 67 (before HHJ Hess) where she successfully set-aside a post-nuptial agreement on the grounds of undue influence and failure to meet needs on behalf of a vulnerable client who had lost litigation capacity during the proceedings.
AG v VG [2020] EWHC 1847 (Fam) (High Court), led by Deborah Bangay QC, defending the Wife in the Husband’s application for disclosure of her previous solicitors files on the grounds that she had waived legal professional privilege in her pleadings.
Waggott v Waggott [2018] EWCA Civ 727 (Court of Appeal), led by Nigel Dyer QC in the Husband’s successful resistance to the Wife’s appeal and his cross-appeal in a substantial financial remedy case concerning spousal maintenance, capitalisation, clean breaks and section 28(1) bars.
Quan v Bray and Others [2017] EWCA Civ 405 (Court of Appeal), led by Richard Todd QC in the Wife’s appeal of the first instance decision.
Quan v Bray and others [2015] EWCA Civ 1253 (Court of Appeal), led by Richard Todd QC in the Wife’s successful application for permission to appeal.
Quan v Bray and others [2014] EWCA 3340 (Fam) (High Court), led by Richard Todd QC, a four-week preliminary issue hearing concerning whether an offshore trust is post-nuptial settlement and/or a resource pursuant to the Thomas v Thomas line of cases.
B v B [2014] EWHC 4857 (Fam) (High Court), without a leader, in a two day contested jurisdiction dispute concerning jurisdiction under Articles 3 to 7 of the EU Maintenance Regulation 2009 in which she was successful.
AI v MT [2013] EWHC 100 (High Court) where the High Court gave effect to an agreement (both finances and children) reached following a non-binding arbitration in the New York Beth Din (whilst at Manches LLP prior to joining chambers, reported after Lily joined chambers).
Alyami v Musallam [2012] EWCA Civ 898 (Court of Appeal), led by Nicholas Cusworth QC, concerning the applicable cost principles in financial remedy proceedings.
El Gamal v El Maktoum [2011] (High Court) EWHC B27 concerning the recognition of an Islamic marriage (marriage/non-marriage) (whilst at Manches LLP prior to joining chambers).
When is a divorce jurisdiction, a forum non conveniens? Stay applications in England and Wales, International Family Law Journal, December 2024.
Hemain Injunctions: How to get them and when not to resist them, Financial Remedies Journal, November 2024.
Author of chapter on declarations of marital status in the current edition of Rayden & Jackson on Divorce and Family Matters.
Co-author of the chapter on the recognition of overseas divorces in the current edition of Rayden & Jackson on Divorce and Family Matters.
Bankers’ Bonuses – how the divorce capital of the world treats the rewards reaped from the financial capital of Europe.
Asaad v Kurter: The latest round in ‘non-marriage’ cases – is the tide turning?
Scholarships and awards
Chambers & Partners (Band 1):
2024
“A trusted advocate, well respected by both instructing solicitors and clients.”
“She is an absolutely brilliant international lawyer, who thoroughly understands cases with a foreign dimension to them. Lily is head and shoulders above other barristers of her generation.”
“Lily is quite exceptional. She is thorough, detailed and very knowledgeable about a wide range of tricky aspects of family law and associated financial matters.”
2023
“A gifted advocate.”
“She’s very eloquent, meticulous and someone with a really bright future.”
2022
“A bright, determined, thorough cross-examiner who is well informed about the strengths and weaknesses of her case.”
“Gets on top of obscure areas of law quickly.”
“She has the ability to think on her feet.”
2021
“Quick on the uptake, numerate and has good client management skills, proving kind but firm.”
“She provides comprehensive, well-reasoned advice and insight into the French divorce processes.”
Previous editions
“She is very dynamic in her approach to cases and very personable with clients.”
“Hard-working, presents well and is an effective advocate.”
“Her advocacy is very precise.”
“Very tenacious…she isn’t frightened of anyone.”
Legal 500
2024
“Her legal knowledge of tricky jurisdictional issues is encyclopaedic. Her advocacy is concise, persuasive and confident.”
Lily is married and has two daughters. She enjoys tennis, skiing, and all of the arts. She is fluent in French and Persian.