Max specialises in all areas of family finance and is ranked by both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for his financial remedy work.

Max regularly deals with cases involving trusts & complex asset structures, claims under Schedule 1, TLATA and Part III, jurisdiction disputes and enforcement issues. He is comfortable both on his own or as a junior in a larger team.

He is an expert in the use of the Judgment Summons procedure having been junior counsel, and later sole counsel, for Sir Frederick Barclay in the long-running and widely reported Barclay enforcement proceedings.

Max’s reported cases include:

    • Barclay v Barclay [2023] EWFC 164
    • Barclay v Barclay [2022] EWHC 2026 (Fam), [2022] All ER (D) 75 (led by Charles Howard KC)
    • AA v AHM [2020] EWFC 105, [2021] 4 WLR 58 (led by Harry Oliver KC)
    • JB v MB [2020] EWFC B69
    • MWH v GSH [2019] EWHC 3866 (Fam), [2020] 2 FLR 71
    • Re A [2019] EWHC 649 (Fam), [2019] 2 FCR 673
    • Aziz v Aziz [2017] (led by Richard Harrison KC and Deepak Nagpal KC)

Aligned with his practice, Max is also a contributor to substantial family law publications including:

    • Trusts in Matrimonial Finance Proceedings, 1st Edition (Co-Author)
    • Jackson’s Matrimonial Finance, 10th Edition (Contributor)
    • Enforcement in Matrimonial Finance Proceedings, 1st Edition (Co-Author)
    • Dictionary of TLATA and Inheritance Act Claims, 1st Edition (Co-Author) and forthcoming 2nd Edition

Prior to joining 1 King’s Bench Walk, Max held Visiting Lectureships in Contract Law and the Law of Trusts at King’s College London.

Max practises in all areas of divorce and family finance including:

    • Financial remedies following the breakdown of a marriage or civil partnership;
    • Cohabitation, Intervenor and TLATA disputes;
    • Jurisdiction;
    • Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989;
    • Part III proceedings;
    • Interim remedies, set-aside and freezing orders;
    • Confidentiality and disclosure issues;
    • Pre- and post-nuptial agreements;
    • Enforcement; and,
    • Contested divorce/marital status

Max is available to conduct private FDRs.

Reputation & Awards

"Max grasps complex elements in cases with ease and his advocacy is incredibly strong." "His client-handling skills are exceptional and he deals with very difficult cases sensitively and pragmatically."

Chambers & Partners, 2025

“Max is a solid advocate who exudes charm.” “He has an ability to get the judge on side, purely by reason of his excellently phrased arguments and convincing manner.” – Chambers & Partners, 2025 (Band 3)

“His advice is considered and his advocacy polished and clever.””When Max is involved you feel at ease.””He has a knack of getting the judge on side from the earliest stage.” – Chambers & Partners, 2025 (Band 3)

“Max grasps complex elements in cases with ease and his advocacy is incredibly strong.” “His client-handling skills are exceptional and he deals with very difficult cases sensitively and pragmatically.””Max is a calm presence in court.” – Chambers & Partners, 2025 (Band 3)

“A KC very much in the making, he knows the law inside-out and can deploy it like he’s an old hand.””Max is wise beyond his years.” – Chambers & Partners, 2025 (Band 3)

‘Max is incredibly pragmatic and knowledgeable beyond his years. He has the answer on the tip of his tongue and cuts through to the nub of the issue.’ – Legal 500, 2025 (Band 4)

‘Max is good with clients and quickly gets to the issues in a case. He is also very responsive and helpful on a day-to-day basis whenever issues arise and his views are needed.’ – Chambers & Partners, 2024 (Band 4)

‘He can be trusted to provide a thoughtful analysis of any complex situation, and is strong on case strategy.’ – Chambers & Partners, 2024 (Band 4)

‘Max’s calming demeanour means he is a fantastic choice of barrister in the highly emotive world of family law. He is great with clients and his sound legal knowledge is evident in both his written and oral communications.’ – Chambers & Partners, 2024 (Band 4)

‘Max is incredibly pragmatic and thoughtful. He is very good at seeing cases from several different angles and coming to a considered and proportionate solution. His knowledge of the legal precedents is brilliant, especially for someone of his call.’ – Legal 500, 2024 (Band 4)

‘He’s a very polished and smooth advocate. His knowledge of the law is absolutely excellent. He’s a brilliant junior.” – Chambers & Partners, 2023 (Up and coming)

‘Max Turnell puts clients at ease and is extremely thorough when preparing cases, going through everything at great length.’ – Chambers & Partners, 2023 (Up and coming)

‘Max is extremely well-prepared and carries out a very thorough and detailed analysis of cases. A junior with an incisive eye. ’ – Legal 500, 2023 and 2022 (Rising Star)

Awards and Scholarships

  • University of Law: Advocacy Scholar
  • University of Law: Ranked 2nd in year for Advocacy Allocation.
  • Kaplan Law School: Advocacy Scholar
  • Lincoln’s Inn: Sunley Scholar
  • Lincoln’s Inn: Hardwicke Scholar
  • Lincoln’s Inn: Accommodation Award
  • Inns of Court Society: Moot Champion 2015

Education

  • University of Bristol: LLB (Hons) Law
  • University of Law: BPTC (Very Competent) – Outstanding in Litigation, Resolution of Disputes Outside of Court and Cross-Examination

Professional Memberships

  • Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
  • Family Law Bar Association
  • Thought Leaders 4 HNW Divorce (Next Gen Founding Committee Member)
  • Resolution’s Brexit Working Party
  • Society of Advanced Legal Studies (Associate Fellow)


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