"A highly experienced, dedicated family lawyer"
Legal 500 2009
"Toby is a sensitive and compassionate consummate professional whom I cannot recommend highly
enough. His integrity, kindness and good humour have been invaluable to me during the past six
months."
"Toby is absolutely charming, thoughtful (pastoral) and an expert in his field. I would have no
hesitation in recommending him, and actually positively encourage you to engage him."
"Toby was superb through a traumatic time for me. Someone to go to not just for advice on
divorce proceedings but also empathy: a friend as well as a lawyer."
Recent client recommendations
Expertise
Divorce and Family
matters
Work and Clients
Toby has been head of the Family Department at Collyer Bristow since June 2009. He is recognised
as a leader in his field and is a fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He
advises on all areas of private family law including financial applications separation agreements,
judicial separations, contested and non-contested divorces, jurisdiction disputes, injunctions and
applications relating to children. He has particular expertise in prenuptial agreements.
He represents a great variety of clients including musicians, entrepreneurs, business people and
professionals. He has significant experience in dealing with cases involving an international
element and has contacts with overseas lawyers in many jurisdictions.
He sits on The Standards Committee of Resolution (formerly The Solicitors Family Law
Association) and strongly endorses the association's principles. He is the author of Resolution's
guidance on Access by the Media to Private Hearings and lectures on family law.
The route to Collyer Bristow
Toby trained at Farrer and Co where he qualified in 1992. He remained there working as a senior
assistant until 1998 when he became head of the matrimonial department at Wedlake Bell. He joined
Collyer Bristow in January 2002.
Member of:
Resolution (formerly The Solicitors Family Law Association) and a Fellow of the International
Accademy of Matrimonial Lawyers
What I like about being a lawyer
"The fact that it really is possible in some cases to make a difference not just to the outcome
but also people's lives. This is a great responsibility but also a huge privilege."
Why I became a lawyer
"As a graduate with an English and Philosophy degree Family Law appealed to me because of my
interest in what makes people tick."
Most embarrassing professional moment
"As a trainee solicitor, having to explain to a client why it was inadvisable to make a claim in
her budget for a weekly supply of marijuana despite the fact that she had enjoyed this throughout
the marriage."
Interests outside work
Motorcycles, scuba diving, modern art and travel.