Nicholas Cusworth KC
- Call
- 1986
- Silk
- 2009
Highly respected practitioner who specialises in large-scale financial remedy proceedings for high-profile and high net worth individuals worldwide. He has additional experience in complex proceedings involving trusts. Cusworth also sits as a deputy High Court judge, and is further praised for his proficiency as an FDR judge. Strengths: "He's pragmatic, excellent at cross-examination and someone who knows how to lead a case." "A persuasive, hard-hitting advocate and a tough negotiator." "He's approachable and has impressive intellectual rigour." Recent work: Acted in Giusti v Ferragamo, an appeal by an applicant wife against an order staying her petition on the grounds that proceedings were continuing in Italy. ‘One of the top financial silks at the money Bar. He is the complete package: outstanding judgement; first class advocacy skills; a powerful, authoritative court presence; and a great bedside manner with clients.’
Chambers and Partners 2022 and Legal 500 2022
Practice
A top ranked matrimonial finance silk with an extensive practice in high net worth financial remedy cases, augmented with significant part-time judicial experience. In addition to the significant international aspect to the vast majority of his cases, he also has a significant practice at the Cayman Islands Bar.
He has conducted many private FDR hearings, in which he is able to draw on his extensive judicial experience to assist in the settlement process.
He conducts financial arbitrations, both as advocate and as arbitrator.
Nicholas was head of chambers at 1 Hare Court from 2011, when he succeeded Philip Moor QC, until the expiry of his term in October 2017.
He spent 15 years as an elected committee member, officer and finally chair of the family Law Bar Association, finishing his term in 2013.
Since 2007 he has sat as a recorder in Family cases, and since 2011 he has sat as a Deputy High Court Judge, in which post he has delivered a number of reported decisions, notably in the areas of nuptial agreements and the treatment of pre-acquired assets.
In addition to dealing with all aspects of financial work in family cases, he has also conducted a number of International Child relocation cases both in the High court in London and in the Grand Court of the Cayman, where he was the successful advocate in the leading Cayman Islands Court of Appeal authority.
High value financial remedies, Part III applications, Schedule 1 applications, International leave to remove applications.
Work v Gray (2017) EWCA Civ 270
WW v HW (2015) EWHC 1844 (Fam)
Hopkins v Hopkins (2015) EWHC 812 (Fam)
JB v MB (2015) EWHC 1846 (Fam)
Ville de Bauge v China (2014) EWHC 3975 (Fam)
Work v Gray (No.2) (2016) EWHC 562 (Fam)
J v V (Disclosure: Offshore Corporations)[2003] EWHC 3110 (Fam)
TL v ML [2005] EWHC 2860 (Fam)
AH v PH [2013] EWHC 3873 (Fam)
Sharbatley v Shagroon [2012] EWCA Civ 1507
BP v KP & NI (Financial Remedy Proceedings: Res Judicata [2012] EWHC 2995 (Fam)
S v S (Financial relief after lengthy separation)[2006] EWHC 2339 (Fam)
Norris v Norris; Haskins v Haskins [2003] EWCA Civ 1084
Currey v Currey (No.2) [2006] EWCA Civ 1338
Re Child X (Residence and contact – rights of media attendance) [2009] EWHC 1728 (Fam)
Rayden & Jackson on Divorce and Family Matters – 18th Edition
Financial Provision in Family Matters
- Head of chambers – 1 Hare Court 2011 to date
- Chair of the Family Law Bar Association - 2012-2013
- Deputy High Court Judge
- Recorder – Central Family Court
- St. Paul’s School, London
- Christ Church, Oxford (MA Juris.)
Chambers and Partners 2022 "He's pragmatic, excellent at cross-examination and someone who knows how to lead a case." "A persuasive, hard-hitting advocate and a tough negotiator." "He's approachable and has impressive intellectual rigour."
Legal 500 2022 ‘One of the top financial silks at the money Bar. He is the complete package: outstanding judgement; first class advocacy skills; a powerful, authoritative court presence; and a great bedside manner with clients.’
Chambers and Partners 2018 "He is cordial, and has top-notch advocacy and excellent client skills. Calm, authoritative and pragmatic."
Legal 500 2018 'Always well prepared.’
Chambers and Partners 2017 'He's technically brilliant, commercially astute and someone whose advocacy is second to none. One of the country’s leading experts in high-value financial remedy cases.’
Legal 500 2017 'Devastating in cross-examination, fabulously well prepared and clearly highly respected by judges.‘Excellent. He has a lovely manner with clients and you get superior advocacy when you instruct him.’
Chambers and Partners 2016 ‘Extraordinarily articulate with huge compassion and patience. He’s an excellent all-round silk. He’s a tough fighter, a very effective advocate but he’s not histrionic. He also has gravitas.'
Legal 500 2016 ‘Fantastically good client management skills and brilliant advocacy skills – rather breathtaking when he gets going. An absolutely fantastic negotiator, as well as his ability to pitch a strong strategy from the start.’
Chambers and Partners 2015 "He's technically brilliant, commercially astute and someone whose advocacy is second to none. His preparation is completely meticulous so his cross-examinations, even when he's confronted with the most fiendishly complex sets of documentation, are ruthless in setting out the simplest way in which his client's case is correct."
Married – 2 children