Christopher Burns

Chris is a Partner and Head of the Family Law Department.

Having qualified as a Solicitor in 1994, his practice has exclusively covered a wide spectrum of family law issues. He regularly advises spouses and civil partners in relation to divorce and financial matters arising out of the breakdown of marriages and also advises on the drafting of cohabitation, pre-nuptial, post-nuptial and separation agreements.

Chris is an experienced and respected court advocate and has represented parties in cases which have been cited in the Law Reports and on matters which have attracted national media coverage.

He has also acted for and against people in the public domain.

Chris has been a long standing member of the Law Society’s specialist Children Panel since 1999 and was elected to the North and West Yorkshire Regional Committee of Resolution in 2013.  He is also the Press Officer for the Regional Committee which covers West and North Yorkshire.

Clients value the depth and breadth of experience, pragmatism and detail that Chris offers when advising, negotiating or litigating in family law matters.

He is often instructed to advise Local Authorities on a wide range of child protection issues, prior to and following issue of proceedings.

Chris is a member of the firm’s Family Business team. He is able to advise business owners on how best to protect their wealth and business assets in the event of a marital breakdown.

He also advises schools in relation to their internal policies, procedures and responsibilities and ensures policies are compliant with regulation and law.

Chris also has experience in representing parents in appeals against Local Authorities decisions and has been instructed to represent parents at a First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability).

He is a regular author of articles in local newspapers which cover various topical family law issues.

Professional Societies

• Law Society
• Leeds Law Society
• Member of Resolution
• Member of Law Society’s specialist Children’s Panel
• Resolution Regional Committee Member

Specialisms

• Divorce & Financial settlements
• Adoption and Children Act applications
• Cohabitation / Civil Partnership disputes
• Trusts of Land disputes and claims
• Pre-nuptial, cohabitation and Separation Agreements
• Private Law Children Act disputes concerning children (acting for parents in applications for child arrangements orders)
• Public Law Children Act applications (acting for Local Authorities, parents and children’s guardians)
• Advising Local Authorities on Child Protection matters
• Advising schools on policies and procedures

When not at work

When not at work Chris enjoys walking which is sometimes combined with the odd game of golf. Otherwise, he enjoys the theatre, cinema, music, and cooking.