John Nee

Before becoming a Barrister I was also a qualified solicitor and solicitor advocate, which gives me a detailed understanding of what you’ll need as a Direct to Barrister client, and the challenges you’ll face. My clients also value my highly practical approach and ability to think ahead – providing advice designed to minimise future disruption for you.

Although I’m a personable and friendly character, with whom clients find it easy to build a rapport, I’m also known as a very robust barrister, often chosen where there is likely to be a difficult opponent, or an unsympathetic judge.

As well as representing you at court, I am happy to provide written advice, and can often turn papers around in short timescales where the urgency of the case requires.

As well as my local cases I’ve spent time working with the International Bar Association on matters including the legal status of the Tamils, and the abolition of the death penalty in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

My experience and clarity also make me respected as a public speaker, and I’ve delivered many seminars and lectures, and been guest speaker at charity events both to the legal profession and the non-legal world.

Before coming to the Bar, I was a professional rugby player, and represented England and Ireland in various rugby age groups, as well as playing for British Universities.

Private Law (Child Arrangements Programme)

My broad family practice (excluding care cases/public law matters) includes representing parents and grandparents in private law children proceedings. I’ll give you clear, objective advice from first appointment through to final hearings.

My robust and firm representation helps to increase my clients’ confidence in court. I have a reputation for giving clear and helpful advice, and for dealing with difficult clients with tact and diplomacy.

My cases have included Cohabitants in Schedule 1 children matters, permission to apply, and leave to remove, and I have acted on behalf of intervenors as well as applying for, and resisting, interim applications.

I give regular seminars both in-house and at chambers, which most recently have included legal services orders, and a guide to the Family Procedure Rules 2010.

“…I was very happy with John Nee. He was very professional and kept us updated throughout the hearing….he was more than happy to explain things to us and answer any questions we had….I would be more than happy for him to represent me again….”

“….extremely delighted with the service provided….he was fully up to speed and made us feel at ease….particularly pleased with his firm approach in court with the other side….I have also found John to be very forward thinking and proactive….”

“….to anyone who might consider using him, John is a seriously impressive barrister who fills you with confidence from the second you meet with him….you just know from the beginning that you have a fighter in your corner and have made a very good choice…”

“….My wife and I were impressed with John Nee – professional, sharp, focused and considerate – thank you very much for selecting him to represent….”

“….Thank you for your response and for dealing with the case so competently….”

“….I have received nothing but positive feedback from any cases you have dealt with….you are very fair and sympathetic, but at the same time will often give very stern constructive advice when a client needs it the most. This could sometimes come across as patronising or antagonise those difficult clients, but you manage to avoid these kind of outcomes completely….”

John Nee's Private Law (Child Arrangements Programme) Cases

Maintaining CAO against a history of domestic violence

John acted for the respondent Mother following threats to the safety of the parties and the child. His representation involved him in liaising with the Police, the opponent, the Local Authority, and schools. He successfully negotiated a favourable settlement on behalf of his client.

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Divorce and Matrimonial Finance

I am a matrimonial finance specialist, and act in a full range of cases – from circumstances where money is tight to those involving high net worth, and which might involve family businesses or require freezing of assets. I have acted in many matrimonial finance cases as well as acting for Cohabitants in Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA) disputes. I appear before District and Circuit Judges, as well as the Principal Registry and the High Court. I am a highly active member of the Becket Chambers Matrimonial Finance Team, and deliver lectures and seminars on the subject.

Probate & Inheritance

I am experienced in acting in probate and inheritance cases and have a particular interest in claims to set aside wills for undue influence – where someone believes that a person’s Will has been affected by the influence of another person – want of knowledge and approval, and lack of testamentary capacity, perhaps where your relative changed a Will after becoming seriously ill. Probate can be a particularly complex area of law and I have experience involving obtaining and examining medical reports.

I am happy to receive instructions in a wide range of cases in this area of law, and can help particularly with disputes over the validity of a Will as well as acting in cases involving Trusts and beneficial ownership of property, lifetime gifts and claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975.