Christopher Wall

Christopher is a highly experienced barrister who has specialised in all areas of Family Law, at every level, for over 35 years. His focus is on divorce and matrimonial finance and Private Law – children cases, but he also has extensive experience of care cases under the Children Act. He is known for his commitment to getting the best possible outcome for his clients, whether through negotiation or expert representation in court, as well as for his calm, reassuring manner and ability to help his clients understand the reality of their situation.

In financial remedy, (i.e. dealing with financial arrangements as part of a divorce) Christopher’s far-reaching experience covers everything from multi-million-pound cases involving complex asset structures to the particular challenges facing low-income families. He also regularly represents parents, grandparents and children in applications for child arrangements orders and in care proceedings, as well as cases where one parent or the other wishes to take their child/ren abroad. He has particular experience of cases involving abuse or neglect, as well as expertise in cases where either parents and/or children have disabilities.

Christopher’s clients value his sensible and realistic advice, appreciating the way that he ‘tells it how it is’, and works with them to reach their desired outcome. His experience as a qualified mediator and arbitrator also allows him to help his clients to resolve matters through negotiation and avoid the expense and distress of lengthy court procedures. Although he aims to reach a resolution through negotiation where possible, he also has a reputation for being a persuasive and forceful advocate in Court where required.

Christopher is ranked in in the Legal 500 2019-2025, and in Chambers and Partners 2016-2024:

“Christopher Wall of Becket Chambers is predominantly instructed in matrimonial finance matters and has notable experience in complex disputes concerning private companies, valuable properties, trusts and international assets. He is also adept at handling Schedule 1 applications.”

Christopher has considerable expertise in Private Law cases. He is regularly consulted by parents involved in child arrangements disputes, including those concerned about the possibility that the other parent may take a child abroad or to another part of the country without their consent.

With over 35 years’ experience of both private law and public law cases, Christopher has a wealth of experience when it comes to dealing with clients where allegations of violence or abuse - either towards parent or child - are involved.

He is known for his ability to put his clients at ease, and the sensible, realistic advice that he offers. He is sensitive to the emotional impact on both parents and children of disputes involving children. At the same time, his clients value his straightforward approach, and his ability to help them understand their position, and the possible outcomes of their case.

An experienced mediator and qualified arbitrator, wherever possible he will help to negotiate a solution, but, where the matter proceeds to a final hearing at Court, he has a reputation for persuasive and forceful advocacy that achieves the best possible outcome for his clients.

He regularly appears in all tiers of the Family Court.

Christopher specialises in family-related financial disputes, and is expert at dealing with disputes resulting from divorce or civil partnership dissolution. His experience has included a wide range of financial proceedings, and he acts for clients from low-income families to those with multi-million-pound assets, and in cases involving complex asset structures, large property portfolios, family companies, trusts, pensions and internationally held assets.

He also deals with applications for financial remedies for children for married and unmarried parents.

His approach is usually to ensure that both parties are able to realise sufficient assets to enable them to afford a home, particularly where children are involved.

Christopher fully recognises that financial proceedings are fraught and emotional and may encompass other issues such as mental or physical abuse, and he is skilled at representing and supporting clients in these difficult circumstances.

Complex asset structure with husband saying assets belonged to his mother

Protecting a wife’s pre-marriage assets

Negotiating improved child support by a high earning Father

Retaining the family home and achieving equality of retirement income for a Wife

Protecting a husband’s inherited property

Protecting a Wife’s share of high value matrimonial assets

Multi-property settlement, retaining Husband’s pension

Supporting a Mother while preventing contact with a violent Father