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Overview
Simon has an extensive and busy family law practice specialising right across the spectrum of divorce, financial claims, civil partnership disputes, co-habitee disputes and disputes relating to children. In addition, he advises on and drafts cohabitation, separation and pre-nuptial agreements, of which there are a growing number.
Simon’s other reported cases include Court of Appeal decisions:
- In the Matter of R (Children) (2016) a Court of Appeal Judgment of Lords Justices McFarlane and Lindblom dismissing a father’s appeal against losing direct contact with his children.
- Hayat Youssef Alireza v Hossam Youssef Ibrahim Radwan and Others (2017) a widely reported Court of Appeal Judgement of Lady Justice Gloster, Law Justice Lewison and Lady Justice King relating to extent to which a prospective inheritance was capable of being a financial resource which could be taken into account in an application for financial relief in divorce proceedings. The case was remitted back to the High Court to determine extent of the lump sum Ms Alireza should receive from Mr Radwan.
- Tini Owens v Hugh John Owens (2017) a widely reported Court of Appeal Judgment of the President of the Family Division, Sir James Munby, Lady Justice Hallett and Lady Justice Macur refusing the wife a divorce.
and High Court decisions:
- RH v RH (2008) a High Court Judgment of Mr Justice Singer relating to financial remedy claims on divorce and costs.
- Seagrove v Sullivan (2014) a High Court Judgment of Mr Justice Holman in a cohabitee dispute involving claims under The Trusts of Law and Appointment of Trustees Act and under Schedule 1 of The Children Act.
- NR v AB (Financial Remedies) (2016) a High Court Judgment of Mrs Justice Roberts relating to financial remedy claims on divorce, the principle of the clean break and extent to which a prospective inheritance was capable of being a financial resource which could be taken into account in an application for financial relief in divorce proceedings.
- K, L and M (Children) (Child Arrangements Order) (2016) a High Court Judgment of Ms Justice Russell relating to child arrangements re a father losing direct contact with his children due to his conduct towards them.
- ABX and SBX and DX (2018) a High Court Judgment of Mr Justice Francis relating to financial remedy claims on divorce and issues concerning add backs, section 37 (set aside) applications and offer letters.
- MY v FY (2020) a High Court Judgment of Ms Justice Russell relating to child arrangements concerning an 8 year old boy and the Father’s wish to see him in circumstances where, whilst he undoubtedly loved his son, he had behaviour issues which made supervised contact necessary.
and a Central Family Court/County Court decision
- WK v GC (2023) a decision of HHJ Hess in which we obtained successfully on an application to vary a spousal maintenance order made in 2004, a capitalised lump sum based on an increased level of spousal maintenance to effect a clean break. It addressed issues such as housing and income needs, retirement, pensions, downsizing properties and inheritance prospects which matters are frequently raised when parties approach or reach retirement. To read the concise (13 page) Judgment click on the following link: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/HCJ/2023/151.html
Whilst Simon has acted in numerous contested and reported cases, nearly all his cases (95%+) are resolved through negotiation and reaching agreement outside contested court proceedings.
Awards & Accolades
Simon has received industry recognition throughout his career. Current accolades include recommendations by the law directories as a leading family lawyer, including Chambers, The Legal 500 UK, Legal Experts, Spear’s Family Lawyers Index, The Spear’s 500 and Citywealth Leaders List.
The Legal 500 UK 2026: Simon is ranked as a “Leading Partner” for Family: Divorce and Financial Remedy and highlighted for covering “the full spectrum of financial work with a strong international element.”
The Spear’s 500 2026 and the Spear’s Family Lawyers Index 2026: Simon is listed as “Top Recommended” with a focus on “milestone legal cases” and Spear’s writes:
‘We’re at the cutting edge of family law,’ Payne Hicks Beach partner Simon Beccle tells Spear’s. ‘We don’t go around blowing our own trumpets. Our clients like that we are discreet.’ Across his three-decade career, Beccle has fought cases at the very highest levels, including the Supreme Court and the House of Lords. His large and varied practice includes prenuptial agreements, cohabitation disputes and, to a very large degree, international cases involving jurisdiction advice and children arrangements. He represented Tini Owens before the Supreme Court in the divorce case that led to the introduction of no-fault divorce in 2022, and Pamela White in White v White [2000], both important milestones in British legal history. Even with such a strong portfolio of landmark cases behind him, Beccle shows no signs of slowing down. ‘I’m the longest-serving partner at Payne Hicks Beach,’ he says. ‘I love it and I’ll keep doing this work until I retire.’
Spear’s 500 2025 and Spear’s Family Lawyers Index 2025: Simon is ranked as a “Top Recommended Family Lawyer” and listed as “outstanding in field” with a specialist focus on “international divorce and milestone legal cases.”
The Legal 500 UK 2025: Simon is listed as a “Leading Partner” for the Family category and is highlighted for his “work with an international element.”
Spear’s Family Lawyers Index 2024: Simon is listed as “Top Recommended” and “outstanding in field” with a specialist focus on “international divorce.”
Spear’s 500 2024: Simon is listed as “Recommended”.
Citywealth Leaders List 2024: Simon is listed in the Honours List for Leading Family & Matrimonial Lawyers.
