Richard Kershaw
Richard is a talented family law litigator who advises on the full range of issues which arise on relationship breakdown, with a focus on complex financial claims on divorce.
Richard is regularly instructed in HNW and UHNW divorces and is known for his expertise in the financial sector, overseas assets, trusts and complex ownership structures. Richard has a particular specialism in cases involving private equity interests.
Richard is experienced in obtaining emergency injunctions, both to prevent the dissipation of assets and to protect the welfare of a client or their children. Richard also represents clients in challenging child arrangements cases.
Richard is known for his focused and strategic approach to cases, and his determination to achieve a good result for his clients.
In addition to his Family work, Richard has a complementary litigation practice focused on trust and Inheritance Act disputes arising on the breakdown of a relationship.
Department
Insights
Awards



Chambers & Partners UK 2023
Band 5 for Family/Matrimonial
“He is very measured and polished, but he’s also deeply reassuring.”





The Legal 500 UK 2023
Recognised as a Leading Individual in the Family category
“Classy, sophisticated and thoughtful, the firm exudes confidence borne of generations of experience at the top end of financial relief work. Richard Kershaw is a gentleman and a scholar with a high level of emotional intelligence, a cracking eye for a case and a charming and reassuring manner: he puts clients at ease with his unflappable air.”
“Niche mature team. Richard Kershaw – very experienced. He is fantastic with. nervous clients with a wonderful calm and reassuring manner. They trust him completely.”





The Legal 500 UK 2023
Recognised as a Leading Individual in the Contentious Trusts and Probate category
“Partner Richard Kershaw carries the heaviest case lightly, with an unerring ability to find the opponent’s soft underbelly. ”



Spear's 500 2022
Top Recommended Family Lawyer



Chambers & Partners UK 2022
Band 4 for Family/Matrimonial
“He’s very good. He makes an impact when he’s involved in cases.”





The Legal 500 UK 2022
Recognised as a Leading Individual in the Family category
“He is one of the best family solicitors in the country. However, he does not court publicity. He is immensely busy, successful and nice, but also a great lawyer. He has it all in spades and his clients know that. Amy Scollan is also exceptionally good. Hardworking, determined and very personable.”
“Richard Kershaw is as sharp as nails, with shoulders broad enough for any fight.”
“A fantastically reassuring solicitor. He is a ferociously bright solicitor with a sure touch: measured and calm when appropriate, tenacious in the defence of his clients when needed.”





The Legal 500 UK 2022
Recognised as a Leading Individual in the Contentious Trusts and Probate category
“I have found him to be a very effective lawyer and very good to work with.”
“Strategically astute and experienced litigator in family and private wealth disputes.”
“Richard Kershaw is as adept with the sabre as with the stiletto.”
“Hands on, great engagement with clients.”



Spear’s 2021 Family Law Index
Top Recommended 2021, Family Lawyers



Tatler Address Book
Listed for Contentious Trusts & Estates



Spear's 500 2021
Recommended Family Lawyers



Chambers & Partners UK 2021
Band 4 for Family/Matrimonial
“He's a phenomenal litigator and a really good negotiator. His knowledge on financial matters is superb. He's incredibly thorough and on the ball.”
“Richard is the epitome of what a family solicitor should be.”





The Legal 500 UK 2021
Leading Individual in ‘Family’
“Richard Kershaw is the most accomplished and hardworking solicitor. His analysis of the law is first rate, his client care unparalleled and the results he achieves for his clients way beyond what could reasonably be expected”





The Legal 500 UK 2021
Leading Individual in ‘Contentious trusts and probate’
“Richard Kershaw is an experienced and well-regarded trust and family law practitioner”
“Richard Kershaw has been my solicitor for over 11 years. His devotion to each case and attention to detail is outstanding”
“Richard Kershaw is a strong private client litigator. David Draisey is a rising star in private client work”
“Richard Kershaw is an absolute master of all the arts. He can be hard when that works, or gentle if that helps. And he still manages to retain a sense of humour”



Chambers & Partners UK 2020
‘Recognised Practitioner’ for Family/Matrimonial





The Legal 500 UK 2020
Leading Individual in ‘Contentious trusts and probate’
“'Richard Kershaw is the contentious private client partner you really want to find: sympathetic, devoted to the cause, but with an unerring ability to weigh up the weaknesses and strengths of the case, both the opponent's and the client's'.”





The Legal 500 UK 2020
Leading Individual in ‘Family’
“Richard is brilliant: insightful, pragmatic and knowledgeable. He has great client care skills and inspires confidence. He identifies strategies from the outset and gives clear and fair advice so clients feel part of a supportive team throughout.”



Chambers UK 2019
Ranked as a Recognised Practitioner for his expertise in the Family/Matrimonial section



The Legal 500 2019
Leading Individual in The Contentious Trusts and Probate section and is recommended in The Family section
MEMBERSHIPS
Richard is a trained collaborative practitioner and a member of Resolution.
Department
Awards



Chambers & Partners UK 2023
Band 5 for Family/Matrimonial
“He is very measured and polished, but he’s also deeply reassuring.”





The Legal 500 UK 2023
Recognised as a Leading Individual in the Family category
“Classy, sophisticated and thoughtful, the firm exudes confidence borne of generations of experience at the top end of financial relief work. Richard Kershaw is a gentleman and a scholar with a high level of emotional intelligence, a cracking eye for a case and a charming and reassuring manner: he puts clients at ease with his unflappable air.”
“Niche mature team. Richard Kershaw – very experienced. He is fantastic with. nervous clients with a wonderful calm and reassuring manner. They trust him completely.”





The Legal 500 UK 2023
Recognised as a Leading Individual in the Contentious Trusts and Probate category
“Partner Richard Kershaw carries the heaviest case lightly, with an unerring ability to find the opponent’s soft underbelly. ”



Spear's 500 2022
Top Recommended Family Lawyer



Chambers & Partners UK 2022
Band 4 for Family/Matrimonial
“He’s very good. He makes an impact when he’s involved in cases.”





The Legal 500 UK 2022
Recognised as a Leading Individual in the Family category
“He is one of the best family solicitors in the country. However, he does not court publicity. He is immensely busy, successful and nice, but also a great lawyer. He has it all in spades and his clients know that. Amy Scollan is also exceptionally good. Hardworking, determined and very personable.”
“Richard Kershaw is as sharp as nails, with shoulders broad enough for any fight.”
“A fantastically reassuring solicitor. He is a ferociously bright solicitor with a sure touch: measured and calm when appropriate, tenacious in the defence of his clients when needed.”





The Legal 500 UK 2022
Recognised as a Leading Individual in the Contentious Trusts and Probate category
“I have found him to be a very effective lawyer and very good to work with.”
“Strategically astute and experienced litigator in family and private wealth disputes.”
“Richard Kershaw is as adept with the sabre as with the stiletto.”
“Hands on, great engagement with clients.”



Spear’s 2021 Family Law Index
Top Recommended 2021, Family Lawyers



Tatler Address Book
Listed for Contentious Trusts & Estates



Spear's 500 2021
Recommended Family Lawyers



Chambers & Partners UK 2021
Band 4 for Family/Matrimonial
“He's a phenomenal litigator and a really good negotiator. His knowledge on financial matters is superb. He's incredibly thorough and on the ball.”
“Richard is the epitome of what a family solicitor should be.”





The Legal 500 UK 2021
Leading Individual in ‘Family’
“Richard Kershaw is the most accomplished and hardworking solicitor. His analysis of the law is first rate, his client care unparalleled and the results he achieves for his clients way beyond what could reasonably be expected”





The Legal 500 UK 2021
Leading Individual in ‘Contentious trusts and probate’
“Richard Kershaw is an experienced and well-regarded trust and family law practitioner”
“Richard Kershaw has been my solicitor for over 11 years. His devotion to each case and attention to detail is outstanding”
“Richard Kershaw is a strong private client litigator. David Draisey is a rising star in private client work”
“Richard Kershaw is an absolute master of all the arts. He can be hard when that works, or gentle if that helps. And he still manages to retain a sense of humour”



Chambers & Partners UK 2020
‘Recognised Practitioner’ for Family/Matrimonial





The Legal 500 UK 2020
Leading Individual in ‘Contentious trusts and probate’
“'Richard Kershaw is the contentious private client partner you really want to find: sympathetic, devoted to the cause, but with an unerring ability to weigh up the weaknesses and strengths of the case, both the opponent's and the client's'.”





The Legal 500 UK 2020
Leading Individual in ‘Family’
“Richard is brilliant: insightful, pragmatic and knowledgeable. He has great client care skills and inspires confidence. He identifies strategies from the outset and gives clear and fair advice so clients feel part of a supportive team throughout.”



Chambers UK 2019
Ranked as a Recognised Practitioner for his expertise in the Family/Matrimonial section



The Legal 500 2019
Leading Individual in The Contentious Trusts and Probate section and is recommended in The Family section
MEMBERSHIPS
Richard is a trained collaborative practitioner and a member of Resolution.