Payne Hicks Beach, based in Lincoln’s Inn, London, is ranked Tier 1 for Family by the Legal 500 UK 2026 guide, covering both children matters and divorce and financial remedy work, and holds a Band 1 ranking from Chambers UK 2026 specifically for Family and Matrimonial Finance at the ultra high net worth level.
What the firm is known for
The firm’s family team handles divorce, financial remedy and children proceedings, with particular depth in cases involving substantial assets, business structures and trusts. Fiona Shackleton, one of the firm’s most established family lawyers, has been recognised across multiple editions of the Legal 500 and Chambers guides and continues to be listed among the firm’s leading family practitioners in the 2026 rankings.
Independent recognition
Payne Hicks Beach has held a Tier 1 family law ranking in the Legal 500 UK guide across several consecutive years, alongside top-tier rankings in contentious trusts and probate and personal tax. Both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners compile their rankings through client interviews, peer feedback and evidence submissions rather than paid placement, and a sustained multi-year Tier 1 ranking is generally treated within the profession as a marker of consistent, leading-level practice in a specialism rather than a one-off result.
Other areas the firm covers
Alongside family law, Payne Hicks Beach is Tier 1 ranked for contentious trusts and probate, and also holds rankings for personal tax, citizenship and immigration, and dispute resolution. The wider practice covers estate and succession planning, landed estates and agriculture, property litigation, employment, corporate work, and reputation and privacy matters. The firm has occupied the same Lincoln’s Inn offices since it was founded in 1770.
Notable lawyers at the firm
- Matthew Booth and Victoria Hingston, both recognised as Top Recommended family lawyers in the 2026 Spear’s rankings.
Recent news from the firm
- October 2025, awarded a Band 1 ranking for Family/Matrimonial Finance at the ultra high net worth level in the Chambers UK 2026 guide.
- October 2025, confirmed as Tier 1 for Family in the Legal 500 UK 2026 guide, its fifth consecutive year holding this ranking.
Offices and contact details
London: 10 New Square, Lincoln’s Inn, London, WC2A 3QG
Telephone: 020 7465 4300
The firm comprises around 44 partners and approximately 220 staff in total.
How we researched this review
We checked the firm's 2026 rankings in the Legal 500 UK and Chambers UK guides, its entry on the SRA register and the information on its own website.
Disclosure: Payne Hicks Beach has no commercial relationship with Super Solicitor. Firms do not pay to be reviewed. Spotted a factual error? Email [email protected] and we will look into it.