Christopher Hames is a fearless and persuasive advocate, combining formidable strategic and tactical thinking with a keen forensic insight. He is a specialist in all areas of international law, with the knowledge and experience to take on complex issues of jurisdiction, finance and movement of children.

Christopher has extensive experience in matrimonial finance with substantial assets, often with an international element or involving off-shore or domestic trusts or where criminal confiscation and restraint orders have been made. Having been involved in the leading case on Legal Service Payment Orders, he is much in demand for all types of applications for legal funding orders.

He is one of the leading lights in international child abduction in the country. His case-work involves the Hague 1980 and 1996 Conventions, wardship and the inherent jurisdiction and the enforcement of foreign orders. He appears both at first instance and appeals: he has appeared in both the CJEU and the UKSC. He also has a considerable practice in relocation and international adoption cases.

He is sought after by solicitors in disputes over the court’s jurisdiction to entertain applications for children and divorce; these may involve issues of non-marriage, habitual residence, domicile, forum non conveniens and the maintenance regulation

He was Chair of the CALA from 2017 until 2021 and regularly participates at international conferences. As Chair, he has been involved in extensive consultations about practice and procedure following the President’s Guidance and on the post Covid-19 lockdown court environment.

He is an author and contributory editor of 2 chapters of Rayden & Jackson on the Hague 1980 Convention and committal in children cases.

He regularly chairs and speaks at lectures seminars and conferences on a variety of practice areas.

In February 2020 Christopher gave evidence to the House of Lords EU Justice Sub-Committee on behalf of the Bar Council on 'Civil Justice Co-operation after Brexit'. His evidence ranged over both divorce/finance and children.

He is a trustee of CFAB and reviews cases for Advocate.

He sits as Recorder on the NE Circuit and is approved for the Financial Remedies Court and as a Deputy High Court Judge. He is a qualified arbitrator in both children (now including international relocation) and money work.