Clive Styles
1990 (Grays Inn)
Date of call
1990 (Grays Inn)
Qualifications
LLB (Hons)
LLM (Bristol)
Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
Kent Bar Mess
South Eastern Circuit
Clive has over 30 years’ experience practising on the South East Circuit. His flexible practice includes most types of cases, but he now specialises mainly in Family Law with an additional focus on contested probate matters and Inheritance Act claims.
Many of Clive’s clients choose him for his reputation for getting quickly to the central point of a case, and for offering them realistic and clear advice from the outset. If a case goes to court, they value the vigour and tenacity with which he fights their case.
Clive is fully committed to finding the best possible outcomes for his clients and understands that they may be facing many challenges. With that in mind, he aims to provide a flexible service in order to meet their needs and ensure they feel supported through their case. This might include holding in-person conferences at a venue most convenient for the client, whether at one of the Chambers’ locations or at the offices of instructing solicitors. This does not restrict his practice to cases in Kent or Sussex, and he is prepared to travel further afield to represent his clients.
He particularly welcomes enquiries about Direct Public Access work.
Clive is regularly instructed to represent local authorities, parents, guardians and the Official Solicitor in Public Law cases, where the wellbeing of children is at the centre of the matter.
His experience includes highly sensitive cases involving allegations of sexual abuse and non-accidental injury as well as neglect or emotional harm to children, and the need for Emergency Protection Orders. His cases frequently encompass work involving parents who have significant learning difficulties, mental health issues or difficulties with substance abuse.
Clive’s significant experience also covers cases involving issues of Jurisdiction, and working with clients whose first language is not English.
Clive’s gentle demeanour helps him to put vulnerable and anxious clients at their ease, and to develop trust and open communication with him. However, when representing his clients in court, they find his tenacity and determination to achieve the best possible outcome equally reassuring.
His experience includes highly sensitive cases involving allegations of sexual abuse and non-accidental injury as well as neglect or emotional harm to children, and the need for Emergency Protection Orders. His cases frequently encompass work involving parents who have significant learning difficulties, mental health issues or difficulties with substance abuse.
Clive’s significant experience also covers cases involving issues of Jurisdiction, and working with clients whose first language is not English.
Clive’s gentle demeanour helps him to put vulnerable and anxious clients at their ease, and to develop trust and open communication with him. However, when representing his clients in court, they find his tenacity and determination to achieve the best possible outcome equally reassuring.
Clive has considerable experience in representing parents and children in private law cases.
The majority of his cases involve complex family disputes. These family disputes are often highly emotive and can seem impossible to resolve, where one side or other (or indeed both) remain intractable. He has significant experience in dealing with these difficult residence and contact disputes, as well as applications to change a child’s surname and applications to remove a child from the jurisdiction.
Clive’s expertise also encompasses cases involving child abduction, and acting in fact-finding hearings involving allegations of sexual abuse or serious domestic violence, and working with parents or family members with severe PTSD.
His aim is to support his clients and help them to reach an agreement acceptable to all parties – always with the best interests of the child/ren at heart.
The majority of his cases involve complex family disputes. These family disputes are often highly emotive and can seem impossible to resolve, where one side or other (or indeed both) remain intractable. He has significant experience in dealing with these difficult residence and contact disputes, as well as applications to change a child’s surname and applications to remove a child from the jurisdiction.
Clive’s expertise also encompasses cases involving child abduction, and acting in fact-finding hearings involving allegations of sexual abuse or serious domestic violence, and working with parents or family members with severe PTSD.
His aim is to support his clients and help them to reach an agreement acceptable to all parties – always with the best interests of the child/ren at heart.
Clive advises and represents clients in financial disputes between former spouses in TOLATA claims (where a couple were living together but were not married or in a civil partnership).
Some recent cases have involved detailed analysis of company business accounts and where there were substantial farming assets. He has also acted for clients in cases where there were international elements.
Clive also has experience of acting for clients with substantial inherited wealth.
Whether the situation is fairly straightforward, or involves complications such as a spouse’s improper disposal of assets, Clive’s extensive experience has helped many clients to resolve a dispute and achieve a positive outcome.
At the centre of his approach is usually the need to ensure that all involved are able to afford suitable accommodation for themselves or any children.
Some recent cases have involved detailed analysis of company business accounts and where there were substantial farming assets. He has also acted for clients in cases where there were international elements.
Clive also has experience of acting for clients with substantial inherited wealth.
Whether the situation is fairly straightforward, or involves complications such as a spouse’s improper disposal of assets, Clive’s extensive experience has helped many clients to resolve a dispute and achieve a positive outcome.
At the centre of his approach is usually the need to ensure that all involved are able to afford suitable accommodation for themselves or any children.
Clive advises and represents clients in Inheritance Act claims and contested probate matters, and has advised on matters concerning:
Clive is very conscious of his clients’ costs and looks to resolve issues before they get to court where possible, offering sensible, pragmatic advice at an early stage.
He is always very happy to represent people at round table discussions and mediation in an attempt to settle a case before it gets out of hand. However, where early settlements are not possible, he will represent his clients’ interests with forceful advocacy, where his tenacity is much valued.
- Construction of wills
- Questions arising on the distribution of an estate
- Issues of testamentary capacity
- Rectification of a will.
Clive is very conscious of his clients’ costs and looks to resolve issues before they get to court where possible, offering sensible, pragmatic advice at an early stage.
He is always very happy to represent people at round table discussions and mediation in an attempt to settle a case before it gets out of hand. However, where early settlements are not possible, he will represent his clients’ interests with forceful advocacy, where his tenacity is much valued.
"I just wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for all of your hard work and dedication in resolving this situation. Your efforts have not only ensured my safety but have also safeguarded my son. I truly cannot express how grateful I am for everything you have done.
Your work in court was absolutely impeccable. The way you presented the case, your thorough understanding of the legal complexities, and your ability to advocate so effectively on my behalf were truly commendable. You remained composed, professional, and incredibly strategic throughout, ensuring the best possible outcome. I felt fully supported and reassured by your expertise, and I have no doubt that your skilful handling of the matter made all the difference.
This resolution means the world to me, and I cannot thank you enough for the peace of mind you have helped restore.
Wishing you all the best for the future, and once again, thank you for everything."
Client instructing Clive Styles under the Direct Access scheme
“Just to note as well if you ever have the need to deal with Medway or Kent again for other cases I would highly recommend Clive. His conduct in court was brilliant and the way he presented things was brilliant. I’d highly recommend him.”
Mr S instructing Clive Styles through solicitors
"Thank you for all of your hard work and support through this case Clive – you have been brilliant!"
Miss B from solicitors, instructing Clive Styles
"Thank you for your counsel. I appreciate that finally at the last hurdle I got some laser focused robust professionalism."
Miss M instructing Clive Styles through the Direct Access scheme
Mr Styles was excellent...thanks for all your support with this.
Mr M instructing Clive Styles through the DPA scheme
The client has emailed me over the weekend and has asked me to pass on to you both his appreciation for acting for him in this case. He is very happy with the outcome of these proceedings and wanted me to pass onto you his best wishes.
Solicitors Instructing Clive Styles
The service provided by Clive to the client and the firm was excellent...I am more than happy with the service provided by the clerks and counsel from chambers.
Mr C from solicitors instructing Clive Styles
You were amazing, thank you so much. You are seriously worth your weight in gold… I will definitely be using your services again.
Ms V Instructing Clive Styles through DPA scheme
Clive was great, took the bull by the horns and dealt with the matter with autonomy.
Mr M from Solicitors Instructing Clive Styles