Peter Newman
Call 2005
CHAMBERS & PARTNERS
For many years Peter has been widely recognised as a leading practitioner in matrimonial finance and divorce. He is ranked in ‘Band 1’ by Chambers and Partners.
Peter is particularly recognised for his advocacy. The 2024 edition of Chambers and Partners describes him as “an exceptional advocate…quick on his feet and formidable in cross-examination”. In previous editions he has been described as “hugely in demand…brilliant on his feet”, “truly excellent in court”, a “fearless advocate”, and a “formidable opponent”.
Legal 500 have similarly described Peter as “at the top of his game”, “a superb advocate, quick on his feet”, a “fearless and talented advocate” with a “powerful advocacy style”, and who “instils enormous confidence”.
Peter is also recognised in the legal directories for his “phenomenal attention to detail”, his “calm and confident manner”, for being “humorous and pleasant to deal with”, and because he “rolls up his sleeves to sort out disputes”.
Peter is the Chair of the FLBA’s matrimonial finance sub-committee, which has responsibility for all divorce/financial remedies work within the FLBA. He was first elected to the FLBA National Committee in 2017, and was re-elected in 2020 and again in 2023.
Peter sits regularly as a judge for ‘Private FDRs’ and has gained a strong reputation in this field. He is ranked by Legal 500 as a leading provider of Private FDR evaluations, described as “always on top of the papers” and delivering a “thorough and well-reasoned indication”.
Peter’s cases often involve high net worth or high profile individuals, complex corporate or trust structures and disputes over jurisdiction, and he frequently appears unled against King’s Counsel.
For a number of years Peter has been ranked in the legal directories as a ‘leading practitioner’ in the field of matrimonial finance and divorce. He is regularly invited to give lectures and take part in ‘podcasts’ in the field of matrimonial finance.
In 2017 the Chambers UK bar directory described Peter as “absolutely meticulous and persuasive. He has an amazingly organised brain, and his work is incredibly well written“. In 2018 the same directory described Peter as a ‘go-to person‘ for matrimonial finance work. In 2019 he was praised as a ‘fearless advocate‘ who is ‘a great negotiator and someone who is truly excellent in court’.
Peter’s cases range from relatively straightforward County Court disputes to very complex and high value matters in the High Court and Court of Appeal. He often appears with, and against, King’s Counsel.
Peter specialises in every aspect of family finance, including Schedule I and TOLATA:
- Offshore or complex assets
- Trusts and Intervenors
- Businesses and partnerships
- Jurisdictional disputes
- Inherited or pre-acquired wealth
- Non-disclosure, ‘add back’ and other forms of conduct
- Pre and post nuptial agreements, Xydhias and Rose agreements
- Capitalisation/variation of maintenance and Duxbury calculation.
- Individuals with high profiles and/or net worth
- Freezing injunctions and applications under s.37 MCA 1973
- Charging Orders, Third Party Debt and Attachment of Earnings Orders
- Contested applications for Decree Absolute
- Civil Partnerships
- Schedule I of the Children Act 1989
- Financial relief after foreign divorce (Part III of the MFPA 1984)
- The Maintenance Regulation (EC 4/2009)
- The Inheritance (PFD) Act 1975
- Disputes between cohabitants pursuant to TOLATA 1996
Finance Cases
Peter has acted in a number of leading finance cases, such as:
- De Gafforj (Appeal – Hadkinson Order) [2018] EWCA Civ 2070
- AA v BB (Application To Set Aside Leave: s.13 MFPA 1984) [2014] EWHC 4210 (Fam)
- L v K (Freezing orders: Principles and Safeguards) [2014] 2 WLR 914
- JKN v JCN (divorce: forum) [2010] All ER (D) 69 (May), [2010] EWHC 843 (Fam)
- Brito-Babapulle v Layton [2009] EWCA Civ 1263
Peter is well known for the meticulous and persuasive content of his documents, the direct and robust advice that he gives to clients, and his tenacious advocacy.
Peter has quickly gained an excellent reputation as an private FDR judge who provides detailed and user-friendly evaluations. He is happy to evaluate Private FDRs either remotely or in person, using the excellent conference facilities that are offered at 1KBW, or at any other location of the parties’ choosing.
As an experienced specialist in matrimonial finance, Peter has considerable experience in advising clients as to the relevant legal issues, and what will be the most likely outcome at a final hearing. His grasp of the details and figures in a case enables him to provide clear and reasoned indications in complex cases, and convey this to both professional and lay parties.
If you would like to instruct Peter to provide an evaluation at a Private FDR, please contact the clerks.
Peter advises and acts in all aspects of private law children disputes, including issues arising as to habitual residence and jurisdiction. Often Peter is instructed to act for clients where he also acts in relation to a financial remedy dispute.
Cases of Interest:
Re R (a child) [2014] 1 FLR 643 (leading Court of Appeal authority as to the test to be applied for temporary relocations and holidays to non-Hague Convention countries)
Re A (a Child) [2014] 1 FLR 111 (leading Supreme Court authority about habitual residence and jurisdiction based on nationality)
Reputation & Awards
"He can have judges onside before he’s even opened his mouth"
Chambers & Partners
Peter is consistently ranked as a leading practitioner in matrimonial finance by both of the leading directories: Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500, and by Legal 500 for his work as a pFDR judge.
Chambers and Partners 2025
“Patient and meticulous, he goes above and beyond in making sure the client feels comfortable with the advice given and the approach taken.”
“Calm and unflappable, Peter is a very strong advocate, who deals exceptionally well with challenging cases and clients.”
“His dogged determination is remarkable and he really does punch above his weight.”
“Peter Newman is incredibly hard-working and really respected by judges.”
Legal 500 2025
‘Peter is at the top of his game. He gives sound, straightforward advice and is thorough in his preparation. His advocacy is precise and impressive, with an exceptional eye for detail.’
‘Peter is always on top of the papers and delivers a thorough and well-reasoned indication as a private FDR judge.’
Chambers and Partners 2024
“Peter Newman will clearly, forcefully and very persuasively put forward his client’s argument.”
“Peter is an exceptional advocate; he is quick on his feet and formidable in cross-examination. He is calm, approachable and has an excellent eye for detail. Peter puts clients at ease, and he can explain even the most complex issues in a straightforward way.”
“He is very knowledgeable about the law and very strategic in his approach, whilst always having an eye on resolving matters.”
Legal 500 2024
‘Peter is a superb advocate, quick on his feet and puts clients at ease with his calm and confident manner.’
Chambers and Partners 2023
“Peter is hugely in demand. He’s brilliant on his feet, on top of the material, approachable and is down to earth with clients.”
“Peter Newman has phenomenal attention to detail and is hugely impressive. He’s all over the papers, meticulous in his preparation and very knowledgeable. He has a good strategic mind.”
Legal 500 2023
‘Peter is an able advocate who puts his case persuasively and always seems to manage to get the judge’s ear. He is a fair opponent who is always fully on top of the details of the case and the law.’
Legal 500 2022
‘Peter is a fearless and talented advocate. He has a very good instinct for when to fight and when to negotiate, and he instils enormous confidence through his ability to read the judge.’
Chambers and Partners 2021
“Extremely bright and able to distil huge amounts of complex financial information into a short, persuasive argument. He is humorous and pleasant to deal with in the worst situations.”
“Peter is a formidable opponent and his written work and skeleton arguments are extraordinarily good.”
Legal 500 2021
“Tremendous attention to detail and a powerful advocacy style. Never loses sight of the bigger picture and will give clients tough advice.”
Chambers and Partners 2020
Widely respected family junior specialising in matters involving complex corporate structures with significant assets. He has particular experience of navigating technical jurisdictional issues. Newman also has experience of appearing both led and unled in significant cases.
Strengths: “Has a fantastic feel for family finance matters, and an in-depth knowledge of case law which he applies practically.” “He’s an incredibly good negotiator who’s reasoned and sensible but when in court he’s robust. Great at the law, he really knows it inside out.”
Chambers and Partners 2019
Widely respected family junior specialising in matters involving complex corporate and offshore trust structures with significant assets. He has particular experience of navigating technical jurisdictional issues. Newman also has experience of appearing both led and unled in significant cases.
“He’s a fearless advocate, a great negotiator and someone who is truly excellent in court. He will come up with creative solutions for clients, and is both confident and really bright.”
Legal 500 2019
“A tenacious advocate”
Chambers and Partners 2018
‘Widely respected family junior specialising in matters involving complex corporate and offshore trust structures with significant assets. He has particular experience of navigating technical jurisdictional issues. Newman has experience of appearing both led and unled in significant cases. ‘Direct and great with figures, Peter is very much a go-to person when it comes to financial matters and is not afraid to give clients tough advice.’
Chambers and Partners 2017
‘He is absolutely meticulous and persuasive. He has an amazingly organised brain, and his work is incredibly well written.’
Chambers and Partners 2016
‘Peers praise the way ‘he can have judges on side before he’s even opened his mouth’ due to his meticulous and persuasive drafting. He advises clients on both matrimonial finance and private children matters including abduction. ‘He is very intelligent and gets to the heart of the case with ease. He is straight-talking and forthright with clients and always prioritises their interests.’
Chambers and Partners 2015
‘His mind can deal with any complexity of problem. He has an academic approach to his submissions which judges find appealing. He has a fighting spirit.’
Awards and Scholarships
Sweet and Maxwell Prize for highest marks in LLB finals.
Education
- Malvern College (Major Scholar)
- BA (Hons) – English and Philosophy
- LLB (Hons) – Law – First class honours
- Inns of Court School of Law (BVC)
Professional Memberships
- Member of the Honorable Society of the Inner Temple
- Member of the Family Law Bar Association (‘FLBA’)
- Elected to the National Executive Committee of the FLBA
- Accredited Pupil Supervisor (Inner Temple)
- Accredited Advocacy Trainer (Inner Temple)
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