Andrew Venables

Andrew Venables

Family Finance & Property, Court of Protection

Andrew undertakes a mix of private client work, from matrimonial finance to estate administration. Andrew is praised for his attention to detail, his ability to analyse complex issues from multiple angles and his rigorous analysis of the legal issues.

Andrew has acted in a wide range of financial remedy proceedings, including Schedule 1 and Part III proceedings. He has experience of cases involving allegations of non-disclosure of assets, misconduct by company directors, misappropriation of funds held on trust, and enforcement. He is skilled at combining a rigorous legal analysis of any contractual, company or insolvency law issues with a pragmatic family law approach.

Andrew is regularly instructed in cases proceeding under TOLATA, whether as between cohabitees or between members of the broader family. He is regularly instructed at all stages from pre-action advice, settling letters before action, drafting statements of case and witness statements, and advocacy through to trial.

Prior to specialising in Family law, Andrew was a tenant at a large civil and family set where he developed significant experience of the tactics and practice of civil litigation.

Andrew is regularly instructed in a wide range of private law disputes about children. He regularly deals with international issues, cases of alleged parental alienation, allegations domestic violence and fact-finding hearings, drug and alcohol misuse. Andrew is praised for his ability to put nervous parents at ease and for being able handle vulnerable litigants sensitively.

Andrew appeared for one of the parents in one of the very first arbitrations under the IFLA Children Scheme. He is an advocate for greater use of arbitration in family law cases and is always happy to discuss whether he thinks a case is suitable for arbitration.

In addition to his work acting on behalf of cohabitants in Trusts of Land disputes (see Family Finance and Property), Andrew also accepts instructions in probate cases and in matters concerning the administration of estates. Andrew has advised and appeared on behalf of both claimants and defendants in proceedings challenging the validity of wills and in applications under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

Andrew also has experience in advising the personal representatives of estates in matters concerning the administration of estates (and advising persons contemplating making claims against an estate).

Accreditations

BMus, Music, First, Newcastle University

GDL, Distinction, Northumbria University

BPTC, Distinction, Northumbria University

Family Law Bar Association

Honourable Society of Middle Temple