Source: http://www.qeb.co.uk/duncan-brooks/
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 09:11:03+00:00

Document:
Duncan is a barrister who specialises in complex matrimonial finance proceedings and children law matters. “An excellent all-rounder, he’s well prepared, has a calm manner, is good on his feet, and has an excellent practice in arbitration…There aren’t sufficient words of praise to describe Duncan Brooks. If he could be cloned, there wouldn’t be any other style of barrister.” (Chambers UK). He is “one of the very leading technical lawyers; a smart tactician and persuasive advocate” (Legal 500).
Duncan has been a Family Arbitrator (MCIArb) since 2013 and has delivered awards in 20 arbitrations. He has conducted 23 Private FDRs as the tribunal. He has appeared in many more arbitrations and Private FDRs as a barrister.
Duncan is familiar with the financial complexities arising in cases involving high net worth clients, including businesses, trusts, taxation and international forum disputes (both in respect to divorce/financial applications and also relocating with children). He is often instructed where there is a knotty point of law and for third parties who are intervening in proceedings.
* IX v. IY  EWHC 3053 (Fam) (led by Nicholas Cusworth QC). Acted for a party who received £9.3m following a 4-year marriage and 7-year relationship. Issues included identification of the matrimonial element of a business brought into the relationship by the other party.
* XW v. XH  EWFC 76 (led by Lucy Stone QC). Acted for a party who received £115m. Arguments included the application of a pre-nuptial agreement, special contribution, and the valuation/matrimonial element of a business.
* K v. L (Non-Matrimonial Property: Special Contribution) 3 All ER 733,  1 WLR 306,  2 FLR 980 (led by Lucy Stone QC). Acted for a party who inherited shares which grew to a value of £57m. The other party was awarded £5m after a long marriage.
* Arif v Anwar & Rehan  EWHC 124 (Fam). Appeared before Norris J (a Judge of the Chancery Division) against chancery and family QCs in a dispute about the ownership of a family home and breaches of trust.
* Hope v. Krejci & Others  EWHC 1780 (Fam),  1 FLR 182, where Mostyn J transferred a company asset to the wife adopting the “telescoping” principle.
* XW v XH (above). Successfully argued that a foreign marital regime did not limit the wife’s claims in English divorce proceedings.
* Mittal v. Mittal  EWCA Civ 1255,  Fam 102,  2 WLR 1033,  1 FLR 1514 (led by Tim Amos QC). Leading case about the English court’s power to stay divorce proceedings where there is a case pending in a foreign jurisdiction.
* Kim v. Morris  2 FLR 1197 (led by Tim Amos QC). Represented the husband. Technical problems with the divorce petition meant that the wife’s English petition was dismissed and the divorce proceeded in Singapore (as the husband wished).
* Duncan has been published and regularly lectures on this topic. He has a particular expertise in international forum disputes and international enforcement.
* XW v. XH (No 2)  EWFC 44. Reporting restrictions in relation to the case of XW v. XH.
* O v. H & W (unreported) before Munby P. Acted for a third party who obtained access to hearings and documents in financial remedy proceedings.
* K v. L (above). Exceptionally, a reporting restrictions order was made, preserving the parties’ anonymity following a hearing in the Court of Appeal.
Re S (A Child)  EWCA Civ 705,  1 FLR 183. Successfully appealed an order that did not comply with the technical requirements of a contact or residence order under the law as it then stood.
Re B (Removal from Jurisdiction); Re S (Removal from Jurisdiction)  2 FLR 1043. Permission to remove from the jurisdiction – relocation to Australia to live with new partner.
* Deputy District Judge since 2010, sitting in the Family and County Courts. Duncan hears trials and applications in cases involving (amongst others) financial provision following separation, private law Children Act disputes, personal injury, landlord and tenant, consumer credit and enforcement.
* Family Arbitrator (MCIArb) since 2013.
* Collaborative Lawyer since 2009. Duncan advises in writing and in five-way meetings.
Private Financial Dispute Resolutions – A Short Guide (Editor with Sir Hugh Bennett), Class Legal (2018).
Arbitration is Moving Mainstream, The Review 180 (2016) 32.
Duncan is married with two children. He enjoys singing, playing cricket and tennis.
2. I, Duncan Brooks, collect record, store, use and am responsible for personal information about you.

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