Clerking team

Paul Laverty
Paul Laverty

Senior Clerk - Family and Court of Protection

Ryan Barker

Assistant Senior and Matrimonial Finance Clerk

Emma Manning

Matrimonial Finance Clerk

‘Neil is a truly first-rate advocate. He has a non-confrontational but persuasive manner that takes the judge by the hand, leading them to his desired outcome, and this combined with his ability to predict the outcome of the case, alongside his ability to build relationships with the client, makes him one of the best juniors around.’

Legal 500, 2024

Strengths: “Neil works incredibly hard and his advocacy is a thing of beauty to behold.”

“Neil is a quiet and succinct advocate. He is a man of great integrity and he is a great advocate.”

Chambers UK Bar, 2024

Neil is an expert matrimonial finance barrister. Particularly recognised for his handling of high-value financial matters. He is noted for his specialism in Schedule 1 applications, as well as complex matrimonial finance matters involving trusts and other shared assets.

Family finance

Neil Montaldo is a specialist in Matrimonial Finance and receives instructions in applications concerning;

  • Financial Provision and Divorce
  • Maintenance Claims
  • Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements
  • Section 37 Applications
  • Cohabitation Agreements
  • Schedule 1 Children Act Applications

He is also instructed in Trusts of Land (TOLATA) Applications.

He is well respected on the Northern Circuit and is rated year after year in the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners Legal Directories.

Cases

Re D 2001 EWCA Civ 684

J,A,M and X 2014 EWHC 4648 (Fam)

Neil provides lectures to the Circuit on a regular basis and undertakes in-house advocacy and legal training.

Private FDR

Neil’s experience of Matrimonial Finance and FDR Hearings in particular enables him to represent clients at Private FDRs and to Chair Private FDR hearings while ensuring parties receive appropriate outcomes.

Client testimonials

“Mr Neil Montaldo acted for me in the role of a Direct Access Barrister in my application for a Financial Dispute Resolution. This work resulted in my achieving a successful conclusion to my application.

In all my dealings with Mr Montaldo he not only guided me in any work that I was required to carry out, which would normally have been the province of a solicitor. He also maintained a very supportive and patient role guiding me through the labyrinth of court detail which was required.

My achievement of a successful outcome was a direct result of his support, guidance and experience in these matters.

I would recommend Mr Montaldo to any person who wishes to engage a superb barrister who has the skills to diligently pursue successful outcomes.” – David Taylor

It was clear from initial conference with Neil Montaldo that he was able to absorb the volumes of information involved in my case and ascertain a clear steer, direction and initial reading to provide me with the fully qualified comfort I needed. I was impressed and further comforted by the passion with which he adopted the case as if it were his own and it was with this that I felt completely reassured me that there would be no aspect overlooked or omitted from the case that would prove valuable to the result we sought.

Neil was honest and frank when focusing our energies on the areas that would return the most benefit and gave immediate, invaluable and clear direction to members of my legal party that resulted in key strengths to our case when in court.

During our two day final hearing trial Neil provided precise preparatory advice and reassurance to me before appearing in front of the judge.

Neil is tenacious and impressive when cross examining a witness and was able to extract clear beneficial facts and rebuke other evidence in a manner that was clear, unequivocally and compelling to the judge which ultimately led to success on both matters in our proceedings.” – Jason Carr

I would like to extend my sincere thank you for your representation on my behalf in the family court during my divorce hearing. It has been an extremely upsetting and distressing period in my life but with your expertise in securing a favourable outcome I now feel better. I have always enjoyed watching a professional at work whatever their job and you were no exception. When I left the solicitor’s office after meeting you for the first time, I knew he had secured me the best around – a fact that was further reinforced to me during the hearing.” – A client