North East law firm Hay & Kilner has strengthened its Private Family team with the appointment of leading family law barrister Kate Fenwick as Partner and Head of Family and Finance, supporting the firm’s ambition to deliver a comprehensive 360-degree family law service for clients.
Kate joins Hay & Kilner during the firm’s 80th anniversary year, bringing extensive experience from the independent Bar and a reputation for advising and representing clients in some of the most complex family law matters. Her arrival marks a significant investment in the firm’s Private Family practice and its commitment to providing clients with seamless support across every aspect of family law.
As Partner and Head of Family and Finance, Kate will lead the development of an enhanced service that combines strategic legal advice, in-house advocacy, non-court dispute resolution and specialist expertise in international and high-net-worth family matters.
A specialist in disputes involving spouses, parents, co-habitees and other family members, Kate has particular expertise in international child relocation cases, matrimonial finance disputes and matters involving business valuations. Her practice spans complex children and financial remedy cases, including those involving allegations of serious financial and other abuse, cross-border jurisdictional issues, businesses, pensions and overseas assets.
Kate’s trial-focused practice has seen her appear regularly in the Family Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. She also spent a year practising offshore in Bermuda, handling large-scale ultra-high-net-worth commercial disputes. Consistently recognised as a Leading Junior by both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, Kate was appointed as a Deputy District Judge in the Civil and Family jurisdictions in 2023 and joined the Bermuda Human Rights Tribunal in 2024.
Kate Fenwick said: “I am delighted to be joining Hay & Kilner as Partner and Head of Family and Finance. Having worked closely with the firm for many years, it feels particularly special to make that relationship official.
“I bring a combination of advocacy, trial experience and strategic insight gained from my career at the independent Bar, alongside international experience advising clients in Bermuda. Having seen family disputes from both an advocate’s and a judge’s perspective, I can help clients navigate complex situations with clarity, confidence and a clear strategy from the outset.
“The opportunity now is to build a genuine 360-degree private family law offering that currently doesn’t exist in Newcastle. By bringing specialist advice, in-house advocacy, non-court dispute resolution and access to expertise across private wealth, international family law and business matters together under one roof, we can provide a seamless cradle-to-grave service that delivers exceptional value for clients.
“Hay & Kilner has an outstanding reputation and shares my commitment to providing supportive, dynamic and exceptional client service. I am excited to work with colleagues across the firm to create a truly holistic private family practice and support clients through some of the most important and challenging periods of their lives.”
Claire Simmons, Partner at Hay & Kilner, said: “Kate’s appointment is a significant step in the continued development of our Private Family offering and our ambition to provide clients with a complete, end-to-end family law service which strengthens the other high net worth practice areas the firm provides.
“Her combination of advocacy expertise, judicial experience and specialist knowledge of complex domestic and international family matters is exceptional. By bringing those skills in-house, we are further strengthening our ability to support clients at every stage of the process, from early strategic advice and dispute resolution through to representation in court where needed.
“As client needs become increasingly complex, particularly in matters involving businesses, wealth structures and international elements, it is important that we continue to evolve our offering. Kate’s appointment reinforces our commitment to investing in high-calibre talent and delivering the specialist, joined-up advice that clients expect from Hay & Kilner.”
Kate is consistently recognised in Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a Leading Junior in family law, particularly for her detailed preparation,robust advocacy and client-focused approach. She is described as: “A brilliant advocate… very good with clients, instils confidence and is a very sophisticated advocate” (Chambers & Partners, 2025) and “An exceptional junior…a tough negotiator and eloquent advocate” (Legal 500, 2024).
