Founding Partner
Helen is a specialist family law solicitor with over 20 years’ experience, having qualified at the Bar (Inner Temple) in 2004 and as a solicitor in 2007. She advises on all aspects of family law.
Helen’s relationship with each of her clients is at the heart of her approach. Family breakdown can be traumatic, and establishing trust and understanding at the outset is key.
Helen acquired her knowledge and experience in some of the most highly regarded family law departments in London, including Sears Tooth and Mishcon de Reya LLP. She later spent over five years as a Partner in a leading City boutique before establishing Clarence Family Law in June 2023.
Throughout her career, Helen has dealt with some of the most complex family law matters, including many reported cases. She regularly handles financial cases involving asset tracing, trusts, complicated corporate structures, and situations where there are allegations of dishonesty or non-disclosure.
Helen also handles private law children disputes, abduction matters, and applications from parents wishing to relocate with their children.
She regularly acts for city professionals, CEOs, business owners, sports stars, and individuals in the public eye. She has also established a strong client base in South West London, where she lives.
Recognised by her peers as a straight-talking and pragmatic lawyer, Helen has been ranked in Chambers High Net Worth and Chambers and Partners, and she has been listed as a Next Generation Partner in The Legal 500 since 2020.
Professional testimonials
Chambers high net worth 2023: ‘Helen is bright, highly competent, and has an interesting set of clients’
Chambers high net worth 2023: ‘She is excellent on complex matters and a delight to deal with.’
Chambers high net worth 2022: ‘She is a great lawyer. She is very knowledgeable, passionate about her cases and has great client skills.’
Legal 500 2023: ‘Helen Wilby is like a machine – so clever and efficient’
Legal 500 2022: ‘Tremendous insight and a real gift for understanding what clients want’
Legal 500 2021: ‘One of the best in the business. She gives absolutely sound advice.’
Legal 500 2020: ‘Simply one of the most extraordinary lawyers I have ever worked with and been against’ – ‘Helen is canny, calm, balanced, knowledgeable and realistic.’
Recent notable/ reported cases:
- James Morgan Copinger-Symes v Maria-Christina Copinger -Symes & Anor [2024] EWFC 415
- CD v EF [2021] EWHC 955 (Fam)
- Representing the Applicants in an application for an adoption order where the child was a Ukrainian national declared an orphan by the Ukrainian authorities. [Reported case]
- Representing the mother in a Schedule 1 matter against a premier league footballer.
- Representing the applicant mother in a successful leave to remove application to Toronto, Canada, in a case with significant safeguarding issues.
- Advising on a Part III claim following a divorce in Russia
- Acting for a US citizen in contentious proceedings under s8 of the Children Act, Schedule 1 of the Children Act and an appeal to the Upper Tribunal relating to child maintenance.
- Representing the father in protracted Children Act proceedings which concluded with an (immediate) transfer of residence into his care following years of the mother’s alienating behaviour.
- Acting in family law matters for victims of domestic violence, including where there are allegations of manipulation, financial abuse and coercive control.
