Chris Longbottom

Based in Manchester, Chris and his team advises clients locally, nationally and internationally on the full range of family law matters. This includes divorce and financial settlements, disputes involving unmarried couples, separation planning (including nuptial agreements, trusts and corporate structures), domestic abuse issues, and fertility law.

Chris and his team are recognised for a commercial and pragmatic approach, focusing on swift and cost-effective outcomes and prioritising alternatives to court where appropriate. Where needed, work is carried out alongside clients’ financial advisers to help secure the best and most future-proofed outcome. He is known for a personal, tailored approach — taking time to understand each client’s objectives, offering clear guidance at every stage, and providing the warmth and respect that sensitive issues require. The strength of this client experience is reflected in the fact that most instructions come through recommendations from former clients and professional contacts.

Who Chris can help

The client base for Chris and his team is diverse and includes professionals, academics, entrepreneurs, senior executives, owners of family and owner-managed businesses, homemakers, high-profile individuals, and clients in the entertainment and sport sectors. The team also supports clients navigating modern family issues, including nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, surrogacy, and fertility law, as well as complex family law financial planning.

How Chris can help you

Chris deals with the issues that arise for an individual following the breakdown of a relationship in relation to divorce/civil partnership dissolution, their financial affairs and their children.

Chris provides advice on complex financial cases; often involving business interests, trusts, foreign assets and pensions.

He also has extensive experience in a wide range of disputes involving children and also advises unmarried couples in relation to separation and cohabitation issues.

He has particular experience of cases where disputes arise about inherited wealth and assets acquired pre-marriage, the value of businesses and the tracing of ‘hidden’ or overseas assets.

He is also well placed to advise the benefits of relationship agreements, such as pre-marital agreements (pre-nuptial agreements), post-nuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements in order for clients to plan and manage their wealth.

In child related matters, as well as usual child arrangement disputes, Chris often deals with issues of:

• Parental alienation/ marginalisation
• Complex health issues of the parents and children
• Allegations of abuse of the parents and/or the children themselves
• Kidnap disputes and relocation
• Maintenance issues against high earners (Schedule 1 matters).

Chris’s family law experience

• Chris is well placed to advise the benefits of relationship agreements, such as pre-marital agreements (pre-nups), post-marital agreements and cohabitation agreements in order for clients to plan and manage their wealth. Chris recently advised in the preparation of a pre-nuptial agreement where the assets stood at c£350M (and then later acting in the divorce on the same matter).
• One of his other career highlights involved a very high-profile Child Arrangement matter where the trial, which lasted over a month, was interrupted, whilst Judgment was being delivered, by the mother kidnapping the children and disappearing with them. This resulted in national media interest and attention. Chris successfully and delicately navigated this incredibly stressful, legally complex and emotive period for the client and the children were returned safely to the client, with Chris’ support, and he achieved the best possible outcome for the client.

Chris in the media

A regular go-to commentator on divorce and separation matters, Chris is frequently called on by outlets including BBC News and Sky News

• We Meet… Chris Longbottom – Thorton Legal
• Chris Longbottom – LawInSport
• Clarkson’s farm highlights more than just agriculture issues, says family lawyer – pro-manchester
• Prenups: is it time we changed the law? – Financial Times
• Ashley Madison: Britain’s first divorce proceedings launched – The Telegraph
• First divorce case in motion after adultery site leak – The Times

Recognition for Chris

Chris and his team were recently recommended in the 2026 Legal 500: “recognised for its ‘professional, hard-working and cohesive’ approach. Longbottom frequently handles complex financial matters involving foreign assets, hidden wealth, and family trusts, as well as high-conflict child cases involving parental alienation and abuse allegations. The team represents a variety of clients, from entrepreneurs and business owners to athletes and entertainment professionals.”

“The Manchester team, despite being relatively small, have been hand-picked for their abilities. Their advice to clients is incredibly in-depth without being confusing…. a focused group of specialist individuals offering their clients expert legal services. They are well known and respected in the market…”

Chris has been shortlisted for Professional Services Leader in the Northwest Business Desk Leadership Awards 2026 and previously shortlisted at the 2025 Northern Powerhouse Awards as Private Client Lawyer of the Year. He sits on the Manchester Law Society Family Law Committee.