John Davies

Partner

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Practice areas

Family and Divorce

John specialises in all aspects of relationship breakdown and wealth protection, including financial claims on divorce, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, financial claims between unmarried couples and disputes relating to children, including relocation cases. Clients value his commercial approach and his ability to achieve outcomes that protect their long-term interests.

Most of John's cases have an international element and involve dealing with complex financial structures, inherited wealth and/or family businesses. He has particular experience of advising clients with connections to the US, Switzerland and the Middle East and he regularly works alongside lawyers from those jurisdictions, among others.

John also has extensive experience of complex and challenging children cases involving safeguarding issues and allegations of domestic abuse.

John is President of the International Private Client and Family Law Commission of AIJA (the International Association of Young Lawyers). He regularly speaks in relation to family law issues, including at international conferences. He has also recently delivered a seminar at the University of Lausanne.

John is ranked in the Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner and in Chambers and Partners UHNW Guide as Up and Coming. Clients describe him as “an absolute encyclopaedia of law” and "very knowledgeable, very attentive to clients and very good at seeing the big picture ... He is a very, very good lawyer.”

Expertise

Individuals & Families

John’s clients include City professionals, private equity executives, entrepreneurs, sports people, individuals with substantial family wealth or trust interests, and their partners. He is equally experienced in acting for the stronger and weaker financial party. John has also been instructed by trustees and other third parties involved in divorce proceedings. He works closely with specialists in our trust disputes, succession planning, reputation management, property and immigration teams to ensure clients are provided with rounded advice. John has significant experience of cases where there are concerns regarding non-disclosure or hidden assets.

Schools

John is a member of the firm's Schools Practice Committee, providing advice to schools in relation to family law issues.

Reported Cases

XO v YO & Anor [2022] EWFC 114

Acted for a wife in high-value financial proceedings where the husband refused to participate. The case involved international assets and complex jurisdictional issues. The judge drew adverse inferences against the husband, awarded the wife 50 per cent of the marital assets, and ordered the husband to pay the wife’s costs as a result of his misconduct.

HRH Prince Louis of Luxembourg v HRH Princess Tessy of Luxembourg (Publication of Offer) [2017] EWHC 3095 (Fam)

Acted for a member of the Luxembourg Royal Family in relation to a dispute about press reporting of financial proceedings on divorce.

Bloom v Bloom [2017] EWFC B109 and [2018] B10

Acted for the wife in financial remedy proceedings against a husband who was described as "[taking] to fraud and the telling of casual untruths in an attempt to gain financial advantage easily and without compunction." The judge commented on John's "assiduous … detective work."

Fields v Fields [2015] EWHC 1670

Acted for the husband in complex and high-value proceedings in the High Court, held in open court before Mr Justice Holman.

D'Hoker v Tritan Enterprises Ltd [2009] All ER (D) 15 (May)

Acted for the respondent wife to successfully appeal against the registration of the first-instance court in Greece preventing her from dealing with her assets.

Memberships & Accolades

John is ranked in the Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner and in Chambers and Partners UHNW Guide as Up and Coming. He was a finalist for the Spear’s Future Leader in Private Client Services award in 2023.

John is President of the International Private Client and Family Law Commission of AIJA (The International Association of Young Lawyers).

John has authored several published articles, including in the Family Law Journal and ThoughtLeaders4, and is regularly invited to speak at international family law conferences.

John is a member of Resolution, an organisation of family lawyers and other professionals who believe in a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law matters wherever possible.

Testimonials

“John is able to engage with clients in stressful situations. He is very detailed and able to move on the case tactically, and always has his eye on the ball." (Chambers HNW 2024)

“John is very thorough and detailed but sees the bigger picture. He keeps the eye on the overview as well as being able to descend into the minutiae." (Chambers HNW 2024)

“John is an absolute encyclopaedia of law. He's such a strong lawyer, his drafting is exceptional." (Chambers HNW 2024)

"John Davies has recently been appointed partner. He deserves it. He is a totally dedicated lawyer. I have been involved with him on a long-running international case and he has coordinated the litigation in multiple jurisdictions. His attention to detail is quite unbelievable." (Legal 500 2024)

"Davies is highly competent, organised and professional." (Chambers HNW 2023)

''John Davies … drafts killer letters which literally win cases." (Legal 500 2023)

"He's a real brain and completely understated in his approach. He's a really thorough, analytical and detail-oriented guy." (Chambers UK 2023)

"John is an excellent solicitor … He is very bright, responsive, accessible and approachable." (Chambers UK 2023)

"He's knowledgeable, attentive to clients and very good at seeing the big picture." (Chambers UK 2023)

"He is cerebral, careful and considered in his approach." (Chambers UK 2023)

"[John] is very knowledgeable, very attentive to clients and very good at seeing the big picture...He is a very, very good lawyer." (Chambers HNW 2022)