Baroness Fiona Shackleton of Belgravia LVO
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Fiona works with a variety of significant clients, primarily dealing with family work. Chambers legal directory has described her as “a master strategist” and that “she has great skill in putting clients at ease, and she is very good at seeing the big picture.” The Legal 500 UK writes that “Fiona is ‘brilliant with clients and brilliant with the case’, she is sought after by high-profile individuals for complex divorce proceedings.”
Fiona was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Exeter in July 2010.
In December 2010 Fiona was made a life peer and in September 2011 she was appointed an Honorary Bencher of Inner Temple. Fiona received the Freedom of the City of London in 2019. She was an inaugural member of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAFL) serving from 1988 for over 20 years.
Fiona has used the knowledge garnered from 40 years in the profession to do a research project in human relationships “The Shackleton Project” with a view to educating people in making the right decision for marriage.
Fiona is recommended in Chambers HNW, Chambers UK and The Legal 500 UK. Fiona has received a plethora of accolades throughout her career, including the Outstanding Achievement in Legal Services at The Legal 500 UK Awards. She is regularly included amongst the top legal names in the country and regarded as “Britain’s most sought-after divorce lawyer”.
Chambers HNW writes that Fiona Shackleton “is lauded as a leading practitioner for sophisticated family matters and has represented clients in some of the most high-profile divorce cases in the country.”
Chambers UK says that the “phenomenal” Fiona Shackleton commands respect for her expert handling of high net worth disputes and interviewees highlight her market-leading client service and strategic judgement, describing her as “the rainmaker of all rainmakers.” Another source for Chambers commends Fiona for her “excellent judgement.”
The Legal 500 UK comments that “There is no one like Baroness Fiona Shackleton. She is brilliant with clients and brilliant with the case. Her instincts are spot on.” The law directory highlights that Fiona is “immensely quick-thinking”, “extremely astute”, “accessible, with a reassuring manner” and is “a demon negotiator”.
Fiona has for many years featured in the Citywealth Leaders List in both the Top 10 Leading Family & Matrimonial Lawyers and in the Power Women categories. Spear’s 500 2024 and the Spear’s Family Law Index 2024 lists Fiona as a “Top Flight Family Lawyer” and ranks her as “outstanding in field” with a focus on “ultra high net worth cases”. Spear’s describes Fiona as “Britain’s most feared and revered divorce lawyer… the greatest family lawyer of all time.”
Fiona is a founding partner of Tatler Address Book Advisory (formerly Tatler HNW Address Book) and is listed as one of the UK’s top divorce and family lawyers. To view Fiona’s Tatler Address Book Advisory profile click here. Advisory is Tatler’s trusted network of influential private client experts, all at the pinnacle of their profession and recognised as elite practitioners with the gilt-edged expertise necessary to advise UHNW and HNW individuals.
Qualified 1980, joined Payne Hicks Beach 2001, partner 2001.
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Chambers UK 2025: Fiona is listed as a “Star Individual” for Family/Matrimonial Finance: Ultra High Net Worth client (UK).
The Legal 500 UK 2025: The Legal 500 UK 2025 ranks Fiona in the “Hall of Fame” for the Family category. The directory comments that “Fiona Shackleton is a standout figure in the team; ‘brilliant with clients and brilliant with the case’, she is sought after by high-profile individuals for complex divorce proceedings.” It says that “There is no one like Baroness Fiona Shackleton. She is brilliant with clients and brilliant with the case. Her instincts are spot on.”
Chambers HNW 2024: Fiona is ranked as a “Star Individual” for Family/Matrimonial Finance: Ultra High Net Worth. The directory writes that she is “lauded as a leading practitioner for sophisticated family matters and has represented clients in some of the most high-profile divorce cases in the country.” Testimonials include: “Fiona’s reputation precedes her; she gets the absolute best work. She has a fantastic team around her, is very well respected and is at the top of her game.” “Fiona is an iconic figure in family law. She has an incredible instinct for what the right answer is. She’s very pragmatic and ultimately tries to find the right solution for the client.” “Fiona deserves the reputation that she has. Her instincts are incredible and so is the way she holds together her pretty large team. The way she inspires client confidence is great.”
Chambers UK 2024: Fiona is listed as a “Star Individual” for Family/Matrimonial Finance: Ultra High Net Worth client (UK).
The Legal 500 UK 2024: Fiona is ranked in the “Hall of Fame” category for Family Law solicitors, she is described as “an exceptional practitioner” and it is said that “there is nothing Fiona does not know about
family work. She has extraordinary judgment and tactical acumen. She is extremely personable, astute and totally dedicated to her cases; she knows the case inside out.”
Chambers HNW 2023: Fiona is listed as a “Star Individual” – “Fiona Shackleton is lauded as a leading practitioner for sophisticated family matters. Baroness Shackleton has represented clients in some of the most high-profile divorce cases in the country.” “Quite simply the best family lawyer for high net worth cases in England and Wales. She’s represented every big case and her judgement is second to none.” “Completely brilliant. She is hugely experienced and delivers a bespoke and intelligent service for her client. She puts the client at the heart of everything she does.”
Chambers UK 2023: Fiona Shackleton is listed as a “Star Individual” – “Fiona Shackleton is renowned for her top-level practice handling contentious divorce proceedings for high-profile clients. She has a wealth of expertise across a range of matters, from cohabitation disputes to nuptial agreements. She is particularly recognised for her expert handling of matters with international elements.” “Fiona is the leading divorce solicitor in town. Her client care skills are second to none and there are few pieces of major litigation where she isn’t involved. She is calm under pressure and superb with clients.” “There aren’t enough superlatives to describe Fiona. She is an exemplary lawyer. She is a very tactical and strategic litigator with a very holistic approach.”
The Legal 500 UK 2023: Fiona is listed in the Hall of Fame – Baroness Fiona Shackleton receives many plaudits and “has earned the reputation that she has obtained: shrewd, strategic and an inspiration, nothing fazes her.”
The Spear’s 500 2024: Fiona is listed as a “Top Flight Family Lawyer”.
Spear’s Family Lawyers Index 2024: Fiona is listed as a “Top Flight Family Lawyer” with a focus on ‘very high profile cases’ and described as “Britain’s most feared and revered divorce lawyer… the greatest family lawyer of all time.”
Doyle’s Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers – London 2024: Fiona is listed as “Preeminent” and recognised as a leading London Family & Divorce Lawyer practising within the areas of family, divorce and matrimonial law matters in the London legal market who has been identified by their peers for their expertise and abilities in these areas.
Doyle’s Leading High Net Worth Family Lawyers – London 2024: Fiona is listed as “Leading” and recognised as a top ranked London High Net Worth Family Lawyer practising within the areas of family, divorce and matrimonial law matters in the London legal market who has been identified by their peers for their expertise and abilities in matters relating to high net worth families/individuals and the financial aspects of the marriage breakdown.
