“Matthew Booth is widely respected for bringing intelligence, balance and exceptional client care to family law matters that demand both strategic judgement and human understanding. Whether advising on children disputes, complex financial arrangements or family wealth protection, he is known for helping clients navigate difficult transitions with clarity, composure and a steadfast focus on achieving constructive, lasting outcomes.”

Fantastic Lawyers® Editorial 2026

Matthew Booth is a Partner in the Family team at Payne Hicks Beach and one of London’s most highly regarded family lawyers. Recognised as a Leading Partner by The Legal 500 and recommended in Spear’s Family Lawyers Index, Matthew advises clients on a broad range of family law matters arising from divorce, separation and relationship breakdown.

With a practice spanning children matters, financial disputes, family wealth protection and mediation, Matthew is trusted by individuals and families seeking clear, pragmatic advice during emotionally challenging circumstances.

What Matthew Booth does

Matthew advises on all aspects of family law, including:

• Divorce and separation
• Private children law disputes
• Child arrangements and contact issues
• International relocation and leave to remove applications
• Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements
• Financial settlements following relationship breakdown
• Schedule 1 Children Act claims
• Family trust and inherited wealth disputes
• International family law matters
• Family mediation and non-court dispute resolution

His clients often include high net worth individuals, professionals and families with complex financial structures, inherited wealth and international connections.

Why he stands out

Matthew is recognised for combining legal excellence with exceptional client care.

Clients and peers consistently praise his calm, intelligent and thoughtful approach. He is known for helping clients feel heard and supported while providing realistic, strategic advice that focuses on long-term outcomes rather than short-term conflict.

His ability to guide clients through emotionally charged disputes with composure and clarity has earned him a reputation as one of the most trusted family lawyers in London.

As one Legal 500 testimonial notes, he is:

“The understated star of the team, combining great intelligence with enormous insight and exceptional client-care skills.”

Children law expertise

A significant part of Matthew’s practice focuses on children law matters.

He advises parents on:

• Child arrangements and living arrangements
• Contact disputes
• Parental responsibility issues
• International relocation applications
• Cross-border family disputes
• Complex parenting disagreements

Matthew has a particular interest in relocation cases, where one parent wishes to move abroad or elsewhere within the UK with a child. These cases often require careful balancing of parental rights, children’s welfare and complex international considerations.

Protecting family wealth

Matthew is highly experienced in advising clients on wealth protection strategies before and during relationships.

His work includes drafting and advising on pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, particularly where there are:

• Family businesses
• Inherited wealth
• Long-standing family trusts
• International assets
• Multi-generational wealth structures

He places particular emphasis on helping clients understand the practical and legal implications of these agreements, ensuring they are both effective and tailored to individual circumstances.

A commitment to resolving disputes constructively

Matthew believes that many family disputes can be resolved more effectively outside the courtroom.

As a qualified Family Mediator and former member of Resolution’s London Committee, he actively promotes non-court dispute resolution wherever appropriate.

He understands that litigation can often be emotionally and financially draining and works hard to help clients reach sensible, negotiated outcomes whenever possible.

His approach reflects a broader commitment to helping families move forward constructively while protecting their interests and maintaining dignity throughout the process.

Recognition and rankings

Matthew is consistently recognised by the leading legal directories and independent ranking organisations.

• Leading Partner, The Legal 500 UK 2026
• Recommended Lawyer, Spear’s 500 2026
• Recommended Lawyer, Spear’s Family Lawyers Index 2025
• Next Generation Partner, The Legal 500 UK 2023–2025
• Qualified Family Mediator
• Former member of Resolution’s London Committee

Directory testimonials describe Matthew as:

• “Matthew Booth provides a Rolls Royce service.”
• “Thoughtful, clever and charming.”
• “First-class.”
• “Charming, urbane and unflappable.”
• “Committed, with excellent instincts and very supportive.”