Chris is ranked as a specialist family finance barrister in both the Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 directories of leading barristers. He specialises in financial disputes when relationships end, whether through divorce or separation. His cases will typically involve complex financial and legal issues, and those which require excellent client care and witness handling skills. He is generally instructed in cases in which there is high net worth, businesses, partnerships, trusts, allegations of hidden assets and income, or an international dimension.

Chris lectures on family finance to fellow barristers and solicitors, and is a contributing author to the Practical Law Company website on family law. Chris is a member of the FLBA and Resolution.

Key cases & testimonials

D v G

This case involved significant assets held in the UK, Italy and central Asia valued at over £10 million. Chris acted for a senior and successful director in a private equity firm whose income was well over £1 million per annum. The case involved consideration of whether substantial investments in private equity co-funds were matrimonial in character and the disputed ownership of substantial property investments abroad.

K v K

Chris acted for the husband in the CFC in a case involving a complex financial services business valued at over £30m, owned in large part by the husband, and with the husband earning a significant income from post separation endeavour. Chris appeared against King Counsel.

Arbitration

Chris appeared in this three day arbitration where both parties were high profile, household names with a substantial income derived from work in Europe, the US, Asia, and Australia.

B v L

Chris represented the husband at the four day final hearing in the CFC. The husband was a successful trader with a substantial income, with assets held in the UK and the US, whose former spouse suffered a severe disability which prevented her working following separation and who was represented by the Official Solicitor.

He has all the hallmarks of a future finance KC.Chambers UK, 2025
Chris is a very persuasive and calm advocate. He takes the heat out of situations and makes points fairly.Legal 500, 2025
He is very good at the technical side of things and comes up with creative solutions.Chambers UK, 2025
A favourite with the clients, who has a reassuring manner in conference.Chambers UK, 2025
Cool and calm in his demeanour yet deadly effective in a private FDR, arbitration or trial setting. The legal equivalent of James Bond.Chambers UK, 2025
Chris prepares thoroughly and picks up on detail. He is knowledgeable, sensible and pragmatic in his approach and will be robust where needed. He is a strong advocate, is tactical, and superb in cross-examination and summing up, leading the judge through the evidence and his client’s case. He is good with clients, approachable, down to earth, sensitive and gives clear advice. He is always helpful with his instructing solicitor and goes above and beyond to assist. Chris is praised for his 'measured and authoritative advocacy'. Legal 500, 2024
Chris Carr is an excellent advocate, who provides very considered and thoughtful advice on tricky matters. He's extremely well prepared and has sound judgement. Chris is really good at cross-examination and the overall preparation of cases. He's really good with clients too.Chambers UK, 2023
Chris has an amazing eye for detail with a calm and thoughtful approach. He is very good in court if the matter proceeds to trial, and always fights hard for a client.’ Chris is ‘a creative strategic thinker who focuses on delivering a solution in complex and demanding circumstances’ and specialises in family finance cases, mostly in the Central Family Court. Legal 500, 2023
He is unflappable, stealthy in his approach and fantastic on his feet. Superb client manner. Extremely thorough, well prepared, efficient and user-friendly. Chambers UK, 2021
Chris is a secret assassin – unassuming in his mannerisms and approach, but really lethal. He's never intimidated even against very experienced counsel, and his attention to detail is second to none. If he doesn't know it, it isn't worth knowing. Chambers UK, 2019

Areas of expertise

Chris regularly advises and appears in cases involving complex legal and factual disputes including:-

  • substantial assets and income
  • business assets
  • partnership assets
  • foreign assets
  • farming assets
  • trusts, both onshore and offshore
  • complex tax issues
  • disputes involving third parties
  • conduct
  • disputes over the matrimonial character of assets
  • complex pensions issues
  • personal injury awards
  • child maintenance disputes
  • disclosure issues

He is highly experienced in all areas of financial remedy work including injunctive relief, jurisdictional disputes, and issues in respect of enforcement.

Chris regularly appears in cases involving an international dimension. He has experience in dealing with cases involving offshore trusts, companies, and pensions. He regularly advises and appears in cases involving jurisdictional disputes.