Philip Marshall KC MCIArb
Call 1989 | Silk 2012
Chambers & Partners, 2025
Philip is consistently ranked as a leading practitioner (silk) in the field of matrimonial finance and divorce, having appeared in both White v White and Miller; McFarlane in the House of Lords. He represented the appellant wife in Owens v Owens before the Supreme Court. His cases typically involve complex jurisdictional disputes and very high net worth disputes often involving offshore corporate and trust structures. Philip frequently advises on and drafts high profile pre–nuptial agreements.
Honorary Life Vice President and past chairman of the Family Law Bar Association.
Philip has been ranked as a leading practitioner in the field of matrimonial finance and divorce by both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 for many years.
He is praised for his attention to detail and willingness to argue his client’s corner, whilst maintaining a conciliatory approach and an ability to compromise even hotly contested proceedings when appropriate.
Philip’s work includes all aspects of contested financial remedies disputes, with cases involving assets valued at in excess of £1 billion, including: jurisdictional disputes; overseas assets; complex corporate and trust structures; legal services payments orders; compensation and capitalisation applications; Part III 1984 Act claims; set aside applications; pre–nuptial agreements and disputes; TOLATA.
His reported cases include the following:
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- AF v SF (by the Official Solicitor as his litigation friend) [2019] EWHC 1224 (Fam)
- Saxton v Bruzas [2018] EWHC 3879 (Fam)
- KA v MA (Prenuptial Agreement: Needs) [2018] EWHC 499 (Fam)
- Owens v Owens [2018] UKSC 41 (Supreme Court)
- Z v Z [2016] EWHC 911 (Fam)
- AA v BB (Application to Set Aside Leave: s.13 MFPA 1984) [2014] EWHC 4210 (Fam)
- H v H [2014] EWCA Civ 1523
- L v K (Freezing orders: Principles and Safeguards) [2014] 2 WLR 914
- JKN v JCN (Divorce: Forum) [2010] EWHC 843 (Fam), [2011] 1 FLR 826
- Miller v Miller [2006] 2 WLR 1283 (House of Lords)
- Mark v Mark [2005] 2 FLR 1193 (House of Lords)
- Moore v Moore [2005] 1 FLR 666
- Pearce v Pearce [2003] 2 FLR 1144
- White v White [2001] 1 AC 596 (House of Lords)
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Philip is regularly instructed to undertake early neutral evaluations at private FDRs in complex and high profile financial cases. He is commended for his meticulous preparation and attention to detail, coupled with an instinctive ability to assess the likely quantum of a financial settlement.
Reputation & Awards
"Philip has fantastic insight and judgement. He is a tenacious advocate, who will fight his clients’ corner passionately. He is adaptive in his style and compassionate when required."
Legal 500, 2025
“His recall is amazing – he just remembers everything.” Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Philip Marshall is superb and great with clients.” Chambers & Partners, 2025
“His advocacy skills are second to none, and he is extremely adept at handling sensitive or challenging clients.” Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Philip is always an authoritative and reassuring presence.” Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Philip has fantastic insight and judgement. He is a tenacious advocate, who will fight his clients’ corner passionately. He is adaptive in his style and compassionate when required.” – Legal 500, 2025
“The description I once read of Philip being an iron fist in a velvet glove could not be more accurate. He is immaculately prepared and is a consummate performer.” – Chambers & Partners, 2024
“He fought fearlessly and imaginatively.”…“His attention to detail is excellent.” – Chambers & Partners, 2024
“He’s measured and in control: exactly the reassuring presence required for the most difficult cases.” “Philip Marshall has a lovely manner with solicitors, clients and opponents. He’s calm but forceful and focuses on the fundamental issues.” – Chambers & Partners, 2023
‘Philip is very well respected by the judiciary. He has a deep legal knowledge complimented with superb written work and very strong in court presence.’ – Legal 500, 2023 – Leading Silk
“Erudite, effective, and absolutely loved by his clients, he is able to simplify the most difficult and complex areas of law for the client.” “Philip is a calm, collected barrister with good, technical knowledge who exudes confidence and calm.” – Chambers & Partners, 2021
‘Exceptionally intelligent and thorough.’ – Legal 500, 2021 – Tier 1
“Extremely bright, charming, well prepared and almost fearless in the way he approaches cases and cross-examines witnesses.” “He’s an exceptional advocate right across the board.” – Chambers & Partners, 2020
‘He is utterly charming, very well prepared and a formidable cross-examiner.’ ‘He’s utterly committed to whatever matter you send him, and quite fearless in court with the propositions he’s prepared to put forward.’ – Chambers & Partners 2019
‘A persuasive advocate.’ – Legal 500 2019
‘An absolute mine of information who focuses on every last detail for the benefit of the client. He oozes gravitas’ – Chambers and Partners 2018
Excellent on strategy and advocacy – Legal 500 2018
He provides sound, clear advice and is prepared to argue his corner. He’s very accurate in assessing the quantum of financial settlements – Chambers and Partners 2017
Highly regarded finance silk who handles high–value divorce litigation for an enviable clientele of wealthy individuals. He is commended for his conciliatory approach and his ability to settle hotly contested cases. He is also frequently instructed by third parties or trustees joined to proceedings – Chambers and Partners 2017
Education
- Merchant Taylors’ School
- LLB (Hons) – Liverpool
- Inns of Court School of Law (Bar Vocational Course)
Professional Memberships
- Governor (Gray’s Inn) of the Inns of Court College of Advocacy
- Past Chairman of the Family Law Bar Association Fellow of the
- International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
- Member of Resolution
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