Beverley Morris

Beverley joined Lodders in July 2017 when her previous firm, DFLP, merged with Lodders. Beverley specialises in all aspects of family law.

In the latest edition of the Legal 500, Beverley gained the prestigious ‘Leading Individual’ ranking in Family Law.

Commended by Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for her direct approach and for working “tirelessly” for clients, Beverley is committed to financial cases, particularly those involving complex finances, private limited companies, offshore assets and trusts.

Legal 500 also says: “Divorce and Family Law Practice’s Beverley Morris ‘knows what she is talking about’. The firm remains a leading light in advising on maintenance pending suit in divorce proceedings, legal costs in Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 cases, and Barder events. Financial remedy proceedings are another area of focus, often involving offshore investments and jurisdictional issues.”

Legal 500 2013: described Beverley Morris as “superb” and noted for her work in complex financial cases including matters involving Private Limited Companies and Off Shore assets and trusts.

Chambers UK 2015; describes Beverley Morris as “incredibly bright, as sharp as anything, a fighter” and that she is “known for her tenacity and work ethic”

Chambers UK 2016 notes that Beverley Morris is “widely regarded” as “an outstanding lawyer” who is “fantastic to have on your side.” In particular “She is particularly recognised for her capabilities in litigation” and “combines technical skill and a deep understanding of financial issues”

Chambers UK 2017 notes, Beverley Morris “lives and breathes” family law, according to commentators, and is “a force to be reckoned with.” Her focus lies in complex financial cases, often involving offshore assets and trusts. She also advises on private law children matters. Sources say: “She has very good client skills, is very loyal and certainly goes the extra mile.”

Chambers UK 2018 comments that, renowned by sources as a “fantastic family lawyer who works incredibly hard,” Beverley Morris remains a pre-eminent name in this space, providing expert counsel on financial cases. She also advises on private law children matters.”

Chambers UK 2019 Beverley Morris continues to win praise for her significant expertise in complex financial cases and private law children matters. Sources attest to her”outstanding hands-on client management skills and excellent judgement,” as well as her”extraordinary work ethic and terrific intellect.”

Beverley is a fully trained collaborative lawyer.

Beverley has experience in foreign jurisdictions having issued proceedings in Jersey, Spain, Nigeria and New Jersey, USA.

As committee member and treasurer of West Midlands region of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association), she takes responsibility for organising lectures and in 2008 organised and took part in the 25th Anniversary Resolution celebration, namely a family law debate chaired by Mr. Justice McFarlane in which Beverley spoke on the subject of spousal maintenance.

A dedicated sports player who still represents her county (veterans category) at tennis and is trying to reduce her golf handicap.

Reported Cases

Beverley represents the interests of the mother in the reported decisions MT v OT [2018] EWHC 868 (Fam) and has strenuously pursued maintenance pending suit (in divorce proceedings) and maintenance to include legal fees (in Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 proceedings). These cases represent the leading authorities on these points of law.  (Click to View)

Beverley acted for the wife in the reported decision of the Court of Appeal in Aly v Aly [2015] EWCA Civ 947, following which there was some fairly controversial and not entirely accurate press reporting over the wife having secured 100% of the matrimonial assets.

Beverley represented the husband in the widely reported case of Mills v Mills [2017] EWCA Civ 129 which was heard in the Supreme Court in June 2018. The case had important implications in the proper approach to applications for maintenance (referred to as periodical payments) pursuant to the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, after the granting of a decree of divorce. (Click to View)

Beverley represents the interests of the father, in the newly reported case of DA v JA (Children non Hague summary return) [2018] EWHC 3429. Application by father, in his application for his children to be made wards and for the court to order their summary return to Nigeria.

Articles

Articles written by Beverley for Family Law include:

• Beverley Morris – ‘Equal Pension Rights – Walker v Innospec’ [2017] Fam Law 1037 (Click to View)
• Beverley Morris & Phillip Cayford QC, ‘Press Reporting of Family Cases: Part 1 – The Interplay Between CSA and Court Based Orders’ [2015] 45(12) Fam Law 1510 (Click to View)
• Impact of Budget Changes on Family Cases [20 March 2015] (Click to View)
• Beverley Morris, “The most radical changes to pensions in almost a century” [2015] 45 Fam law 290 (Click to View)
• The “Pensions on Marital Breakdown series” including
  • Beverley Morris and George Mathieson, “Pensions on marital breakdown Part 4: pension offsetting” [2012] 42 Fam Law 1234 (Click to View)
  • Beverley Morris and George Mathieson, “Pensions on marital breakdown Part 3: case-law – what does it tell us?” [2012] 42 Fam Law 96 (Click to View)
  • Beverley Morris and George Mathieson, “Pensions on marital breakdown Part 2: offset, attachment, sharing and deferment” [2012] 42 Fam Law 856 (Click to View)
  • Beverley Morris and George Mathieson, “Pensions on marital breakdown and the English law viewpoint: Part 1” [2012] 42 Fam Law 4 (Click to View)

• Michael Keehan QC and Beverley Morris, “Language Timothy: Jargon Uncovered”[2011] 41 Fam law 729 (Click to View)
• Beverley Morris and Michael Keehan QC, “Hey Big Spender! Add backs and Reckless Spending” [2010] 40 Fam Law 714 (Click to View)
• Michael Keehan QC and Beverley Morris, “Schedule 1 Children Act 1989: who pays the costs” [2009] 39 Fam Law 871 (Click to View)
• Beverley Morris, “Avoidance of Discrimination in Maintenance Pending Suit Cases” [2008] 38 Fam Law 358 (Click to View)
• “Queen’s Speech 2015 – Thoughts from a family lawyer” [29 May 2015] (Click to View

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