Nine Chambers Family Team Ranked Tier 4 in The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026

Nine Chambers’ Family Team has been ranked Tier 4 in The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026, reflecting the group’s depth of expertise and its strong reputation for complex and sensitive family law work.

In The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026, the Family team is lauded as “a fantastic set of chambers with a wide spectrum of highly skilled counsel” entrusted by clients including local authorities, guardians, grandparents, intervenors, children, and individuals represented by the Official Solicitor or a litigation friend.

The directory highlights Sarah Kilvington, who “has a fantastic manner with clients” and handles both private and public law cases, including relocation, coercive control, parental alienation, and complex fabricated illness or sexual abuse claims. Emma Greenhalgh is described as “fantastic” in public law children proceedings, Emily Landale is noted for her work representing children’s guardians, and Joanne Barnett is praised as “experienced and practical counsel”, particularly in cases involving vulnerable clients with additional needs.

The Family Group offers expertise across care proceedings, adoption, domestic violence, parental responsibility, financial provision, wardship, judicial review, and more, with members appearing at every level of court up to the Supreme Court.

Band 1 Leading Junior – Joanne Barnett

Joanne Barnett is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 1 Leading Junior in Family Law. The directory notes:

“Joanne is fabulous – she is charming, friendly and yet incredibly impressive when it comes to cross-examination. Clients are in awe of her skills. Her questions are effective, to the point and entirely disarm the person on the receiving end.”

Consistently ranked as a Tier 1 barrister, Joanne is nationally regarded for her expertise across all areas of family law and also sits as an Arbitrator under the IFLA scheme for both children and financial cases. She is praised for her meticulous preparation, empathetic client care, and calm, organised approach, which enable her to deliver clear, practical strategies in even the most complex and sensitive matters. Frequently instructed by top firms nationwide and maintaining a thriving direct access practice, Joanne is especially recognised for her advocacy with vulnerable clients, including those who are neurodivergent or have psychological or learning difficulties, reflecting her standing as one of the leading family practitioners at the Bar.

Band 1 Leading Junior – Sarah Kilvington

Sarah Kilvington is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 1 Leading Junior in Family Law. The directory notes:

“Sarah is incredibly tenacious and persuasive in court and judges respect her. She has a fantastic manner with clients and really listens to what they have to say so that they feel Sarah is truly on their side.”

Sarah has a leading practice across both financial remedy and children law, with particular expertise in complex financial cases involving businesses, trusts, and injunctions, as well as high-stakes public law proceedings. She is regularly instructed in relocation cases and residence or contact disputes and has appeared in the Supreme Court in a landmark appeal led by Gwynneth Knowles KC. Renowned for her tenacity, skilled cross-examination, and forceful submissions, Sarah combines robust advocacy with a sensitive and supportive approach to clients in some of the most difficult and sensitive family cases.

Band 1 Leading Junior – Kalsoom Maqsood

Kalsoom Maqsood is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 1 Leading Junior in Family Law. The directory notes:

“Kalsoom is fearless, highly effective and thorough in her approach, both in her written work and in her advocacy. She leaves no stone unturned in her meticulous preparation, and she is an extremely highly regarded barrister on the circuit and rightly so.”

Consistently ranked as a Tier 1 advocate, Kalsoom specialises in the most serious and complex public law proceedings, including cases involving fatal and catastrophic injuries to children, sexual abuse, fabricated and induced illness, neglect, and gender dysphoria. She is regularly instructed for local authorities and children in cases opposed by leading and junior counsel and is known for her meticulous preparation, incisive cross-examination, and realistic advice delivered with clarity and empathy.

Band 2 Leading Junior – Emma Greenhalgh

Emma Greenhalgh is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 2 Leading Junior in Family Law. The directory notes:

“Emma is a fantastic barrister. She is highly diligent and always extremely well prepared, she is extremely helpful and her written work is second-to-none.”

Formerly a solicitor, Emma has over a decade of experience at the Bar and is regularly instructed across public and private children law, financial remedy, and TOLATA proceedings. She is known for her meticulous preparation, robust advocacy, and down-to-earth approach, with particular expertise in complex cases involving non-accidental injury, abuse, and vulnerable clients requiring the involvement of the Official Solicitor. Emma has appeared at every level of the family court up to the High Court and is highly regarded for her ability to simplify complex issues and provide clear, practical advice.

Rising Star – Emily Landale

Emily Landale is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Rising Star in Family Law. The directory notes:

“Emily is an all-rounder in that she excels at every part of the job. It is not hyperbole to state that she does not have a weakness within her role as a family law barrister, and some of her strengths include her extensive knowledge of the law and her ability to break that down in simple terms to assist even vulnerable individuals with understanding and making informed decisions.”

Displaying confidence and capability beyond her year of call, Emily is praised for her preparation, client focus, and approachable style. She is developing a strong practice across public and private children law, where she is valued for her empathy, sensitivity, and clear communication, combined with robust and effective advocacy.