Miles Preston is one of the ‘leading and most highly respected specialist [firms] in the country’ (2024 - Court of Appeal) and a leader in international divorce and trusts cases

“He must be one of the most experienced family lawyers in London – especially now so many seniors are retiring.”

Client: Chambers High Net Worth UK 2023

“He’s probably the most experienced trusts family lawyer there is in the country.”

Third Party: Chambers High Net Worth UK 2023

“He’s well trained, well versed and well presented. He is organised and clever.”

Market Commentator: Chambers High Net Worth UK 2023

Marcus Dearle is a 26-year veteran of Withers in London and Hong Kong (1990-2016) and has over 35 years of experience acting in complex domestic and international family law cases. Marcus has specialist expertise, in particular, acting for trustees in HNW and UHNW divorce and trust cases, advising on HNW and UHNW pre- and post-nuptial agreements (PNAs) and dealing with international divorce litigation involving PNAs and trusts. He has recognised pioneering expertise in international surrogacy law and medico-legal/fertility law issues.

He is the Immediate Past Chair of the International Bar Association, Family Law Committee, and a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers.

In addition to being admitted in England & Wales, he uniquely practises in Hong Kong family law from London. He is also admitted, but not practising in, the BVI.

Marcus is ranked in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide in the Family/Matrimonial Finance: Ultra High Net Worth section and is recognised as a leading trusts and divorce litigation practitioner advising HNW and UHNW clients in ALM’s Private Client Global Elite directory. The directory is entirely reliant on peer nominations.

Marcus acted for the corporate trustee of an offshore Guernsey trust in a major and complex divorce and trust case which went to trial in the High Court in London in 2001, and then to the Court of Appeal in 2008: Judge v Judge [2008] EWCA Civ 1458. Lord Justice Wilson in the Court of Appeal found that the trustee had, ‘adopted a stance not only properly defensive of the interests of the trust, but also both neutral as between the husband and the wife and essentially helpful to the court.’

He is currently representing Sir Frederick Barclay in a leading high profile case relating to a web of highly complex overseas trust arrangements see: case reference [2022] EWHC 2026 (Fam) https://www.judiciary.uk/judgments/lady-hiroko-barclay-v-sir-frederick-barclay/. See also the judgment [2021] EWFC 40 https://www.judiciary.uk/judgments/barclay-v-barclay/.

During the 11 years he was based in Hong Kong Marcus led the family law teams acting in a number of groundbreaking international family law cases that went to the Hong Kong Court of Appeal and/or Court of Final Appeal, including the Florence Tsang case TCWF v LKKS [2014] HKEC 1593 (the largest Hong Kong divorce case), and the landmark divorce and trust, Court of Final Appeal, case of Otto Poon [2014] HKEC 1174, when he acted for the professional trustee, HSBC International Trustee Limited – a case involving a Jersey trust which the Financial Times reported as having ‘Rattled the Trust Industry’ in Hong Kong.

He also acted successfully for the financially stronger US husband in LCYP v JEK [2019] HKCFI 1588, which is now the leading PNA case in Hong Kong.

Marcus acted for the left-behind parent in the first Hague Convention Child Abduction case in Hong Kong (unreported – 2012) between Hong Kong and Singapore, after Singapore acceded to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

He was shortlisted as International Family Lawyer of the Year at the Lexis Nexis Family Law Awards 2018.

He wrote the chapter on Divorce and Trusts in Sweet & Maxwell’s 2010 publication ‘Family Law and Practice in Hong Kong’ and in the 2nd (2014) and 3rd (2018) editions.

He lectures widely at international conferences and has been interviewed on international TV news networks, including by the BBC and CNN.

“He’s the only lawyer who made my wife settle, I kid you not.”

Client

“He is now the go-to solicitor in family law cases in London with a connection in Hong Kong.”

Client: Chambers High Net Worth UK 2023

“When he speaks, you listen, as he always gets the case spot on.”

Chambers Asia

“When it comes to international trusts and family law cases, Marcus Dearle is in a class of his own.”

His “family asset protection team has quickly become recognised in the market for its prowess at handling complex, high-profile matrimonial cases for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients.”

“Recognised as ‘one of the pre-eminent practitioners of family law in Hong Kong’.”

“Marcus Dearle leads the team by example and has a ‘unique expertise in the really big cases, which stems from his having worked in London for many years doing such cases’, including in relation to a recent precedent-setting pre-nuptial matter.”

“He regularly represents not only spouses in divorce and trust cases, but also offshore trustees.”

“Dearle also advises on children dispute issues and has ‘cutting-edge expertise in international surrogacy law cases for which he does a considerable amount of pro bono work’.”

Legal 500 Asia

Harriet has been a specialist family lawyer since qualifying in 1993. At the start of her career, she worked with Peter George at Charles Russell and then moved as a partner to Payne Hicks Beach in 2004. She joined Miles Preston in October 2013.

She is experienced in all areas of family law with a particular focus on pre- and post- nuptial agreements, complex international divorce and separations and disputes over children. She has also had experience of Sharia law, nullity proceedings and Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 (unmarried parents) proceedings.

Harriet is also a trained mediator with Resolution and her aim is to serve her clients in the best and most cost-effective way. She is known to be fair but firm and her constructive approach usually pays considerable dividends in a negotiated outcome. However she can be tough when required and will take all appropriate steps to try to ensure her clients’ needs are met.

Harriet believes that family law goes beyond a strict 9 to 5 approach. She is contactable outside these hours. She is known for her direct approach and sense of humour. She understands that sometimes clients are faced with an extremely difficult and distressing situation and she is there to help.

She is well known and highly regarded in the profession.

“Harriet is the go-to person for anyone in need of care and advice at a particularly vulnerable time. She deftly picks her way through complicated and emotionally charged circumstances with diligence and professionalism. She provides a support system that you didn’t realise was possible.”

Rahanna Choudhury is a 6-year qualified senior associate

Rahanna has significant experience in all aspects of family law, with a particular focus on HNW and UHNW financial cases. Many of Rahanna’s cases have an international element, such as dealing with complex asset structures, trusts and family businesses.

Rahanna also has extensive experience of dealing with the most challenging aspects of private children’s work, often involving safeguarding and welfare issues. She has particular experience of dealing with cases involving the appointment of guardians and allegations of domestic abuse.

Rahanna joined Miles Preston in January 2023, having spent her time upon qualification at a leading regional boutique practice, under the mentorship of Claire Hamilton-Russell who was formerly a partner in the family law team at Farrer & Co. Rahanna is valued by her clients for giving clear, pragmatic advice at what is the most difficult of times. Rahanna is tenaciously committed to ensuring that her clients feel supported throughout the legal process and will always try to find a way to resolve matters outside of court if possible, if this is in her clients’ best interests.