Matrimonial Finance May Seminar 4
Please join us online on 28th May 2026 for the final seminar in our Matrimonial Finance May Breakfast series. This event will be chaired...
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“Michelle Burley is incredibly robust. Her attention to detail and thorough preparation make her a trusted and standout choice. She shows a willingness to tackle all types of cases, no matter the complexity. She is able to tailor her approach to different cases, clients, and opponents. She is a highly effective advocate.”
Legal 500, 2027 (Children and Domestic Violence)
“Michelle is able to synthesize information really quickly and accurately. I have been impressed with her attention to detail and big-picture thinking. Her advocacy is clear and robust. She has a firm style but also knows how to negotiate and compromise where appropriate. She is able to deal with difficult opponents with grace while still maintaining her robustness. Michelle is also really helpful and genuinely interested in the law – she makes herself available for a brain-picking chat when needed.”
Legal 500, 2027 (Divorce and Financial Remedy)
Strengths: “Michelle is great to work with. She is always well-prepared and excellent on her feet. Clients know that she really fights for them.”
“Michelle works tirelessly to achieve the right outcomes for clients and has an excellent client manner. She is really great.”
“Michelle is excellent in court and she manages to grasp the details of the case very quickly.”
Chambers UK Bar, 2027 (Family: Matrimonial Finance)
Michelle is a highly regarded practitioner in matrimonial finance. Her activity regularly includes enforcement applications and financial remedy claims.
Family finance
Michelle has a keen interest in matrimonial finance and is regularly instructed to conduct hearings at all stages of the case including applications for maintenance pending suit and legal services payment orders, variation and enforcement.
Her cases have included:
- Assets of high net value
- Cases involving large pensions necessitating expert actuarial calculations
- Arguments of matrimonial and non-matrimonial property
- Arguments in respect of concluded agreements
- Assets in overseas jurisdictions
- Assets held on trust
- Cases of material non-disclosure
- Complex business structures.
Michelle is regularly instructed to draft documents in the case, including questionnaires, skeleton arguments and consent orders and has experience in drafting pre/post nuptial agreements. Michelle has also advised on applications for injunctions pursuant to s.37 of the MCA 1973.
Further, Michelle also accepts instructions in respect of applications for financial provision for children pursuant to Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989.
Children (Private Law)
Private Law
Michelle has experience representing parents in applications for Child Arrangements Orders and Specific Issue Orders.
Her cases have included:
- Allegations of parental alienation and implacable hostility
- Allegations of sexual abuse
- Allegations of domestic abuse
- Allegations of inflicted injuries
- Cases necessitating psychological and psychiatric assessments
- Leave to remove a child internally and externally in the jurisdiction
In addition, Michelle accepts instructions under applications under Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996 for Non-Molestation Orders and Occupations Orders.
Private FDR
Michelle uses her extensive experience of representing parties in Financial Dispute Resolution Hearings in court to chair private FDR hearings, at which parties can receive a quick and confidential determination without the stress, delay and cost of determining financial remedies on divorce through the court process.
Memberships
- FLBA
- Northern Circuit
Education
- Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training
Legal Directory Recommendations
“Michelle is a persuasive and intelligent advocate who has wonderful client care skills. She shows great compassion but also fights hard in her case, and she is a hard worker whose preparation and advice is top notch.” Legal 500, 2026 (Children and Domestic Violence)
“Recommended expert.” Legal 500, 2026 (Divorce and Financial Remedy)
“A brilliant all-rounder, Michelle is strong with both children and finance cases, she works incredibly hard, and her preparation is immaculate. She knows cases inside out, and she is brilliant with clients and a delight to instruct.” Legal 500, 2025
