Simon Beccle

Reported Cases

Simon’s other reported cases include Court of Appeal decisions:

• In the Matter of R (Children) (2016) a Court of Appeal Judgment of Lords Justices McFarlane and Lindblom dismissing a father’s appeal against losing direct contact with his children.
• Hayat Youssef Alireza v Hossam Youssef Ibrahim Radwan and Others (2017) a widely reported Court of Appeal Judgement of Lady Justice Gloster, Law Justice Lewison and Lady Justice King relating to extent to which a prospective inheritance was capable of being a financial resource which could be taken into account in an application for financial relief in divorce proceedings. The case was remitted back to the High Court to determine extent of the lump sum Ms Alireza should receive from Mr Radwan.
• Tini Owens v Hugh John Owens (2017) a widely reported Court of Appeal Judgment of the President of the Family Division, Sir James Munby, Lady Justice Hallett and Lady Justice Macur refusing the wife a divorce.

and High Court decisions:

• RH v RH (2008) a High Court Judgment of Mr Justice Singer relating to financial remedy claims on divorce and costs.
• Seagrove v Sullivan (2014) a High Court Judgment of Mr Justice Holman in a cohabitee dispute involving claims under The Trusts of Law and Appointment of Trustees Act and under Schedule 1 of The Children Act.
• NR v AB (Financial Remedies) (2016) a High Court Judgment of Mrs Justice Roberts relating to financial remedy claims on divorce, the principle of the clean break and extent to which a prospective inheritance was capable of being a financial resource which could be taken into account in an application for financial relief in divorce proceedings.
• K, L and M (Children) (Child Arrangements Order) (2016) a High Court Judgment of Ms Justice Russell relating to child arrangements re a father losing direct contact with his children due to his conduct towards them.
• ABX and SBX and DX (2018) a High Court Judgment of Mr Justice Francis relating to financial remedy claims on divorce and issues concerning add backs, section 37 (set aside) applications and offer letters.
• MY v FY (2020) a High Court Judgment of Ms Justice Russell relating to child arrangements concerning an 8 year old boy and the Father’s wish to see him in circumstances where, whilst he undoubtedly loved his son, he had behaviour issues which made supervised contact necessary.
• SBX v ABX (2022) a High Court Judgment of Mr Justice Francis relating to Article 12 of the European Maintenance Regulations and whether various financial applications relating to the payment of school fees, mortgage, spousal and child periodical payments should be determined in England or in Country A, an unnamed Continental European Country which is part of the European Union. In this case, the Court determined that England was not the appropriate jurisdiction for these matters to be resolved and that Country A was seized with jurisdiction to deal with them.
• L v O (Stay of Order; Hadkinson Order; Security for Costs) (2024) a High Court Judgment of Mr Justice Cobb which provides helpful guidance on potential interim remedies available in a case where one party is seeking to set aside a final financial order. In this case, the husband alleged that there had been a supervening event which invalidated the basis upon which the final order had been made. Given that all his assets were abroad, the Court ordered that, as a condition of him pursuing his set aside application, he should have to provide the wife with security for her costs of £480,000 so that if his application failed and a costs order was made against him, the wife would be covered for her legal costs.
• X v Y (2026) a High Court Judgment of Mr Justice Hayden in fact-finding proceedings brought under the Children Act 1989 where it was emphasised that a parent’s relationship with a child is the child’s right, not the parent’s entitlement.

and a Central Family Court/County Court decision

• WK v GC (2023) a decision of HHJ Hess in which we obtained successfully on an application to vary a spousal maintenance order made in 2004, a capitalised lump sum based on an increased level of spousal maintenance to effect a clean break. It addressed issues such as housing and income needs, retirement, pensions, downsizing properties and inheritance prospects which matters are frequently raised when parties approach or reach retirement. To read the concise (13 page) Judgment click on the following link: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/HCJ/2023/151.html

Whilst Simon has acted in numerous contested and reported cases, nearly all his cases (95%+) are resolved through negotiation and reaching agreement outside contested court proceedings.