Nick Manners
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Nick is a specialist family and children’s lawyer with over a decade’s worth of experience who regularly advises on children disputes involving contact, residence and relocation (including international relocation). He works for a variety clients on both contentious and non-contentious matters, including those with a complex international angle. He also has experience of advising clients on children’s issues within the context of the breakdown of civil partnerships or same sex marriages.
Relevant experiences and positions
Nick has worked at Payne Hicks Beach for over a decade and has been involved in a number of high profile and reported cases at both first instance and the Court of Appeal, and has been quoted in national media (The Times, Daily Mail), on family law and children’s matters.
Case Highlights include Nick’s prominent role in the children’s litigation concerning Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein and the Ciccione v Ritchie litigation.
He joined Payne Hicks Beach in 2008, qualified in 2010, was promoted to Senior Associate in June 2017 and to Partner in December 2020.
Nick is an accredited member of Resolution.
“Nick Manners is stand out. Managing hugely complicated and high profile cases with ease. He is also a pleasure to deal with which enables a conciliatory approach when possible” Legal 500 UK 2023
Nick is ranked as a “Next Generation Partner” in the Legal 500 UK 2023 and is “Recommended” in the in the Spear’s 2021 and 2022 Family Law Index and in Spear’s 500 2023.
Some personal questions
What is your advice to parents who are thinking about relocating with a child?
I would always say to parents that they should take time to plan the move thoroughly, and think through all the issues which will impact on the children. Be they cultural, educational or social, the more work which goes into these considerations ahead of the relocation, the better. A bad plan (or no plan) will not have a good chance of being successful. It’s important to do your homework well in advance, and also ensure the potential timing of any relocation has the children’s timetable at the forefront of all considerations.
What should parents know before starting a court procedure about child relocation?
Engaging with the Courts can take a significant amount of time and be both expensive and stressful for all involved. There is no quick-fix and it can take many months for a case to proceed through alI the steps to get to a final hearing (where the outcome is never guaranteed).
It is very difficult to predict how a Judge will rule on an application to relocate, as each case turns on their facts. Arbitrating matters is increasingly becoming a faster way of dealing with these issues, which again saves time and costs, although again there is no certainty in litigation. If a consensual agreement can be reached before issuing proceedings, it is always going to be in the best interests of all the parties.
What is your (practical) advice to parents, to make relocation easier for a child?
I would advise any parent who is considering a move to first think about things through the lense of their child(ren). Their world and priorities can be very different from those of the parent, and consideration of their wishes and feelings is important. The Court will undertake this role in proceedings so an understanding of this is crucial. If a parent is considering a relocation (both internal or international) they should take time to prepare their child for the possible move and discuss with them how their lives will change. Parents should if possible visit new schools and other amenities in the area they wish to move to, so that they have a good understanding of the new environment for the children and can speak to it if matters end up at Court. If the children can also visit the possible new location ahead of any move, that can also assist manage the transition for them.
When did you first handle a child relocation case?
One of my first cases in 2009 was an international relocation, when I was a trainee. It involved a proposed international relocation where there were allegations of abuse made out by the mother (my client) against the father. The matter was subject to a multi-day final hearing at the High Court and we were successful. Permission to relocate was given by the Judge. It was hotly contested matter but I will never forget how much it meant to my client that she could set up a new life the benefit of her child in a different country.
What is your advice to parents dealing with international child abduction?
Seek specialist advice quickly. If a child has been abducted the first steps can be the most crucial and there should be no delay in seeking advice as quickly as possible. This could mean a swifter return of your child to their home.