Helen Wilby
Partner
"Canny, calm, knowledgeable and realistic"
“She is the person you want in your corner”
Helen has practised exclusively in family law for over a decade and is a conscientious and skilful lawyer, who has worked on many difficult and demanding cases. Her knowledge and experience has been acquired in some of the most highly-regarded family law departments in London and she is well-versed in dealing with international and unusually complex cases.
Helen’s wide-ranging experience in both financial and children matters has led to her involvement in many sensitive and complicated cases, earning her a reputation as one of the talents of her generation. In 2020, Legal 500 identified her as a New Generation Partner, recognising her outstanding ability.
She is known for providing great support to her clients through the many challenges they face when dealing with relationship breakdown. Before joining the firm as a partner in 2017, Helen spent 10 years in the family law departments of Mishcon de Reya LLP and Sears Tooth. She studied History of Art with History at UCL and then qualified, first at the Bar (Inner Temple) in 2004 and then as a solicitor in 2007. She is a member of Resolution.
Highlights
- Helen represented a respondent husband, resident in Monaco, in relation to freezing injunction proceedings brought against him.
- Helen successfully represented the mother in a high profile and heavily contested jurisdiction dispute in which the father sought to dismiss the mother’s claims for financial relief/housing for her children. A significant costs order was awarded in favour of the mother.
- Helen was part of the team representing the mother in proceedings concerning two children abducted from their UK boarding school to the Ukraine. Out-of-hours on the night of their abduction, she secured urgent prohibited steps and collection orders. The children were promptly made wards of court and Hague proceedings instigated for their return.
- Helen represented the father in highly-contested relocation proceedings (“Leave to Remove”) to the United Arab Emirates (requiring expert UAE advice and in-depth Independent Social Work input). The divorce proceedings were defended and the financial aspects of the case were highly complex – involving overseas, company and trust assets.
Professional Testimonials
Every year Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners compile independent recommendations based on client and peer reviews for all practising lawyers. These are some of Helen's reviews, and testimonials from other legal professionals.
- She brings a rare mix of wisdom, judgment and empathy with her clients whilst at the same time being one of the most ferocious litigators on the block. Rebecca Carew Pole QC
- Her style is one of quiet, calm confidence and her advice is clear and realistic. I would highly recommend her any in any difficult family law matter. Alex Verdan, QC
- "Simply one of the most extraordinary lawyers I have ever worked with, and been against." Quoted in Legal 500 2020
- One of the best in the business. She gives absolutely sound advice. Legal 500, 2021
Client Testimonials
Testimonials
- Helen listens, understands, asks the right questions and then just very calmly spells out the options. Her style and approach made my whole painful experience far easier and significantly less stressful than it could have been.
- Despite a very toxic divorce, my dealings with Helen have always been very pleasant and she has tried hard to remove the conflict from proceedings. She provided clear and straightforward advice, and she is not afraid to give forthright views even when it is not what I wanted to hear!
- Helen did a wonderful job for me and I would not be where I am today without her….she took my hand and got me into action….I will always be thankful to her and so are my children.
- My wife and I use Helen for all matters in regard to our children and dealings with our previous partners. It is not just her very capable and thorough opinion, but it is her style and manner that we most appreciate. The situations we have to draw upon her advice are always difficult and generally distressing times and her calm and reassuring manner, as well as her style in responses is so helpful at diffusing and calmly resolving the issue.
