Elizabeth Selman MCIArb
Call 1989
Chambers & Partners, 2025
Elizabeth handles the full breadth of financial and private law children issues arising from marital and relationship breakdown. Her finance cases often involve high net worth clients and her children cases frequently involve complex issues often with an international element. This breadth of experience can provide clients with the significant advantage of retaining her for both areas of potential dispute following marital or relationship breakdown. Elizabeth regularly appears with, and against, leading counsel.
Elizabeth’s practice covers both matrimonial finance and Schedule 1 applications at all levels but with a particular emphasis on higher net worth clients and she has represented a number of high profile individuals. She is frequently instructed in cases involving labyrinthine financial structures and has an ability to present the issues arising in an accessible way. With a firm eye on the end goal, Elizabeth helps clients effectively navigate their way through difficult proceedings.
Elizabeth has extensive experience of all aspects of private law children disputes including complex child arrangements proceedings, international and internal relocation applications as well as more discrete specific issue and prohibited steps order applications. She has acted for a number of notable individuals. Elizabeth is frequently instructed in cases in which the family or court requires specialist expert advice to understand and resolve the complicated issues or in which the children are also parties by their children’s guardian. She is equally at ease with cases involving convoluted factual disputes or points of law. Elizabeth is a strong strategist adept at helping clients make effective decisions.
Elizabeth is a qualified Children’s Arbitrator as well as Financial cases.
Reputation & Awards
"A true expert in her field, who has enviable interpersonal skills."
Chambers & Partners, 2025
Sources praise her for her detailed and pragmatic approach.
“A true expert in her field, who has enviable interpersonal skills.” – Chambers & Partners, 2025
“She makes them feel they are being really well represented.” – Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Liz is a wonderful advocate, who places her clients at ease.” – Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Judges instinctively trust and listen to her.” – Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Liz Selman is a superb advocate.” – Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Elizabeth’s advocacy skills are impressive. She gains the respect of clients immediately with her robust approach to complex legal issues and handles emotionally taxing issues with care.” – Legal 500, 2025
“Not only is she great with clients as she’s personable yet tenacious, but she’s also a persuasive and effective advocate. She impresses as she’s always practical in looking for a resolution to matters and in helping clients move forward – she always goes above and beyond.” – Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Elizabeth is a brilliant barrister. She’s always on top of the detail and well prepared, and she engenders trust in clients through her ability to explain often complex issues in a way which they understand. She is a tenacious advocate but also a skilled negotiator, who is always dedicated to getting the best outcome for the client.” – Chambers & Partners, 2024
“She has great strategic awareness and navigates expertly through complex cases.” – Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Elizabeth is a brilliant children’s advocate in even the most difficult and complex cases. She is a tower of strength to those instructing her, a tenacious advocate, and a down-to-earth, grounded, empathetic and strategic force with clients. She is an absolute go-to in difficult children cases.” – Legal 500, 2024
“An incredible, highly competent junior, she’s very impressive and has a lovely manner with clients. She’s very supportive and empathetic and is great at advising clients on complex matters. She’s also technically astute and tactical.” – Chambers & Partners, 2023
“Elizabeth Selman has deep expertise in children law, public and private – her gravitas and experience gives her the respect and confidence of judges and clients alike. She’s utterly approachable and user-friendly but tenacious in fighting her clients’ corner.” – Chambers & Partners, 2023
“She is user-friendly, good with clients and particularly knowledgeable when it comes to cases involving social services.” “A charming, intuitive advocate who never raises the temperature on cases.” – Chambers & Partners, 2022
“Calm and unflappable, Elizabeth gets straight to the heart of the case and offers pragmatic and sensible advice.” “A straight-talking advocate who focuses on the reality of the situation, she is excellent at reading the room and adapting her advocacy accordingly.” “A fantastically strong, knowledgeable advocate who remains approachable and client-friendly.” – Chambers & Partners, 2021
‘A natural winner – she has strength, ability and great personal charm. Succinct and realistic, she gets the judges, the client and the opposition on side fast. She is the ultimate reality check for clients and solicitors alike’ – Chambers & Partners, 2020
‘Liz is a natural winner – she has strength, ability and great personal charm. Succinct and realistic, she gets the judges, the client and the opposition on side fast. She is the ultimate reality check for clients and solicitors alike.’ – Chambers and Partners 2018
‘A master of the papers who has complete command of her brief in court. She’s really forthright and not afraid to argue a point.’ – Chambers and Partners 2017
‘Her people skills make her so adept at children work. She is able to put forward and grasp what the client wants to say and is very persuasive.’ ‘She’s very direct when she needs to be, and also very sensitive.’ – Chambers and Partners 2016
‘She has a natural air about her, and her calm and reassuring manner is perfectly suited to nervous clients.’ – Chambers and Partners 2015
‘seriously talented’ ‘tenacious and analytical approach’ to family law. – Chambers and Partners 2014
Awards and Scholarships
- Frank & Burris Gahan Scholarship, Inner Temple
- Inner Temple Exhibitioner
Education
- Queen Mary College, University of London LLB
- Inns of Court School of Law
Professional Memberships
FLBA
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