Elizabeth Wentworth

Elizabeth has a flourishing practice in matrimonial finance matters and has successfully represented husbands and wives at all stages of financial remedy proceedings.  She has been instructed on cases involving valuable business assets, inheritance, maintenance pending suit, whether assets are likely to be considered matrimonial or not, as well as matters which have involved “add back” arguments and conduct allegations.

Elizabeth also accepts instructions in relation to applications for the provision of children under Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 and applications arising from the breakdown of relationships between unmarried couples under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.

Whilst always focused on achieving a settlement which works for her clients, Elizabeth is not fazed by voluminous documentation and detail.

Notable cases:

• A-M v A-M [2024] (unreported)

Acted for the applicant in proceedings in which the agreement the parties and entered into and the applicant sought to rely upon was upheld by the Court.

• W v C [2024] (unreported)

Representing the applicant in protracted proceedings involving a number of significant factual issues, including: the veracity of significant liabilities, disputed business interests, material non-disclosure, and conduct allegations including litigation conduct.  Proceedings now involving an application for enforcement as well as contempt.

• D v D [2024] (unreported)

Acted for the respondent in proceedings involving significant matrimonial assets, including a very successful and valuable business with disputed expert evidence in relation the valuation.

• F v F [2024] (unreported)

Acted in financial remedy and private children law proceedings involving intractable hostility for the respondent with a terminal illness, requiring both sets of proceedings to be dealt with on an expedited basis.

Elizabeth has established a thriving practice in private law children, primarily focusing on disputes concerning child arrangements and related matters.  She regularly represents and advises on matters involving internal and international relocation and issues of jurisdiction, r16.4 guardians, intractable contact disputes, parental alienation, declaration of parentage / applications for parental responsibility, implacable hostility, and cases involving serious allegations of coercive and controlling behaviour, domestic violence and psychological/emotional, physical and sexual abuse.  She has experience representing clients with psychiatric and psychological problems as well as those with learning difficulties.  Elizabeth also has experience in recovery orders and enforcement.

Elizabeth prides herself in being able to get quickly to the crux of the issues in such cases, navigating complex family dynamics and advocating for the best interests of children, with a view to achieving the best possible outcome for her clients whilst at the same time striving for an outcome that will work for the entire family and avoid the need for future litigation.

Notable and reported cases:

• B v B (Fact finding) [2024] EWFC 836 (B) (18th June 2024)

Acted for the father in a finding of fact hearing against whom the mother had made a series of allegations including coercive and controlling behaviour, physical abuse and verbal abuse.  Findings made against both parents, with some of the mother’s allegations proven only in part and others not at all.

• M v M [2024] (unreported)

Acted for the mother seeking the immediate return of the children to her care following the father unilaterally retaining the children, changing their schools and GP.  Successfully obtained an interim lives-with order to the mother, an order directing the children’s immediate return to her care and a Prohibited Steps Order against the Father.

• Declaration of Parentage case (unreported)

Advised on the legal framework for making a Declaration of Parentage order in relation to a deceased father, including consideration of the need for an order for DNA testing under the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

• V v T [2024] (unreported)

Acted for a father in successfully obtaining a Parental Responsibility order and joint lives-with order for the child spending significant quantities of time in both parents’ care in circumstances involving intractable hostility by the Mother and denigration of the Father to the child.

• S v M [2024] (unreported)

Acted for a mother in protracted proceedings involving intractable hostility arising out of strongly held religious beliefs by one party.

• N v G [2024] (unreported)

Acted for a father in a case involving jurisdictional issues requiring expert evidence in relation to Pakistani Law.

• S v N [2023] (unreported)

Acted for a father seeking contact with his child and the properly exercise of his parental responsibility following the Mother’s unlawful international relocation to England with the child.

• R v K [2023] (unreported)

Acted for a mother in a case involving temporary leave to remove to a non-Hague country requiring specialist expert evidence.

Domestic abuse is a common feature of much of Elizabeth’s children-related work and she is experienced in advising in respect of non-molestation and occupation orders and has represented both applicants and respondents throughout these applications, from ex-parte applications to final hearing.

Elizabeth receives instructions from, parents, local authorities, and guardians in a variety of cases many involving complex issues such as jurisdictional issues, non-accidental injury, child abduction, chronic neglect, drug and alcohol addiction, domestic violence, cognitive / capacity issues and personality disorders, adoption, special guardianship, wardship, revocation of placement orders / discharge of care orders.

Notable cases include:

• Re CP [2025] (unreported)

Acted for a non-party local authority in a case concerning the issue of designation of the correct local authority in relation to a child now living in a new area.  This case involved legal argument as to whether an order could be made, or not, re-designating a final care order to a different local authority.  Successfully opposed the making of such an order on the basis no legal mechanism currently exists to make such an order.

• Re SC [2025] (unreported)

Acted for a Mother throughout wardship / care proceedings where there had been international abduction of the children with concealment of the children and chronic neglect of their basic needs for a number of years.

• Re SA [2025] (unreported)

Acted for a local authority in a potential NAI case involving multiple fathers, complex emotional and mental health needs, and jurisdictional issues concerning the potential international relocation of one of the children to Australia.

• Re FP [2024] (unreported)

Led by Dylan Morgan, acted for the local authority in a finding of fact hearing concerning allegations of NAI on a baby, involving a low-level fall leading to a suspected subdural haematoma and retinal haemorrhages, with disputed medical evidence and research.  Father and mother found to be in the pool of perpetrators for the injuries suffered by the child.

• Re M [2024] (unreported)

Acted for a Mother within care proceedings that started life as private law proceedings, with the appointment of a r16.4 guardian and then due to the level of alienating behaviours by the Father and significant harm to the children moved into public law proceedings.