Oliver Thorne 3PB

Oliver Thorne

Year of Call: 2005
Email Address: [email protected]
Telephone: 01202 292102

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Clerk Details

  • Clerk Name: Robert Leonard
  • Clerk Telephone: 0330 332 0773
  • Clerk Email: [email protected]

Overview

Oliver Thorne is an experienced Barrister who specialises in private law children matters, matrimonial finances and cohabitation disputes.

Oliver regularly appears at all levels of the Family Court including before Magistrates, District Judges, Circuit Judges and High Court Judges.

Oliver is known for his friendly and professional approach as well as his robust advocacy and detailed cross-examination. Oliver has been described by both Solicitors and lay clients as being able to identify and focus on the heart of the issue or issues in dispute.

Outside of work Oliver enjoys spending time with his young children and when time permits he enjoys skiing and sailing. For many years Oliver was the chair of the board of trustees of a self-advocacy charity for people with learning difficulties.

Oliver is characterised by clients as patient and understanding, he approaches cases with sensitivity.

Expertise

  • Family
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    Financial Remedy 
    Oliver has conducted a wide range of cases from medium to high net worth matters including the instruction of forensic accountants to value companies and family businesses and matters involving a party’s potential entitlement under discretionary/family trusts.

    Oliver has acted in enforcement cases and cases where non-disclosure has been alleged, as well as cases involving discrete and complex legal issues. Oliver frequently appears in multiday high value financial remedy hearings.

    Private Remote FDR Hearings

    Oliver is available for private remote FDR hearings. For more information on private remote FDR hearings please click here.

     

    Cohabitation and TOLATA Disputes 
    Prior to specialising in family law, Oliver also undertook a considerable amount of civil litigation, he now puts these skills to use in respect of TOLATA matters. Oliver regularly advises in conference, drafts particulars of claim and defences and attends mediation and hearings in respect of all types of Cohabitation disputes.

    Private Law Disputes 
    Oliver regularly acts for parents as well as grandparents and guardians in respect of matters involving child arrangements and specific issue orders. Oliver has undertaken lengthy fact-finding hearings in respect of both domestic violence and sexual abuse. Oliver has experience of parental alienation cases and has been successful in obtaining orders for both suspended and immediate changes of living arrangements.

    Oliver also has considerable experience of both domestic and international relocation including cases where one party has sought to remove the children to Ireland, Denmark, South Africa and Columbia.

    Examples of recent cases: 
    K v H [2017] Oliver was successful in arguing that the court should not vary a consent order on the basis of a change of circumstances. The issue in the case was the relationship between the ability to vary a Consent Order under rule 4.1(6) and the jurisdiction of the Court under a ‘Barder event’.

    L v L (2017) Oliver represented a Husband and was successful in arguing that the false allegations made by the Wife in Children Act proceedings amounted to conduct and had significantly impacted on the Husband’s earning capacity.

    Re: C and G (children) (2017) In a private law dispute Oliver obtained a change of living arrangements order on the grounds that there had been significant parental alienation.

    Re: K (a child) (2015) Oliver acted for a father in care proceedings concerning whether or not there had been non-accidental injuries and if so who the perpetrator of those injuries was. Although it was found that the father had caused the injuries it was found the injuries had been caused without any intention.

  • Recommendations

    Oliver Thorne undertakes the full range of family finance work. He is noted for his knowledge on financial remedy cases and TOLATA applications.

    Strengths: "Oliver Thorne's clients like his manner, as he is sympathetic to and understanding of the issues but is also truthful. "Oliver's cross-examination is second to none. He is a fearless advocate who is able to harness this when needed. "Oliver is always well prepared and knows his cases inside out. He is able to guide his professional and lay clients strategically with great skill and as part of a team."

    Chambers UK 2025/Family/Matrimonial Finance/Western Bar

    Oliver Thorne undertakes the full range of family finance work. He is noted for his knowledge on financial remedy cases and TOLATA applications.
    Strengths: “Oliver is really thoughtful and an extremely able advocate with excellent cross-examination skills.”
    “Oliver's knowledge of complex corporate family issues is excellent.”
    “Oliver has a very solid grasp of the relevant legal principles and excels at managing client expectations. He will often go the extra mile for instructing solicitors and clients.”

    Chambers UK 2024/Family/Matrimonial Finance/Western Bar

    Oliver Thorne is a ‘highly skilled and respected advocate’ who specialises in TOLATA applications, while ‘expert cross-examiner’

    ‘Oliver is an excellent advocate. He is excellent with clients and can command judges' attention with ease.’

    Legal 500 2025/Divorce and Financial Remedy/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit

    Oliver Thorne ‘is great on his feet and a whizz with numbers’.
    ‘Oliver is a force to be reckoned with in hearings. He is well-prepared and his knowledge shines through very clearly. Oliver has always been very pragmatic, delivering information clearly and sensitively where needed. He can easily cut through a number of issues to the relevant crux of the case.’

    Legal 500 2024/Divorce and Financial Remedy/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit

    'Oliver gives every case his all, and that comes through to clients and judges alike. He always fights his client's corner and is extremely dedicated. He is very hands on and his advice is always very practical. His cross-examination is particularly good - he is robust and charming in equal measure.'
    Legal 500 2023/Divorce and Financial Remedy/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit

    Oliver Thorne is ranked in the Legal 500 2022/Divorce and Financial Remedy/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit edition

    ‘Oliver is able to quickly gain the trust and confidence of clients. His clients always feel that he truly cares about them and their matter, which he does. His cross examination and conduct of advocacy is second to none and delivered in a way which is often praised by the tribunal he appears before.’
    Legal 500 2021/Divorce and Financial Remedy/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit

    ‘His cross-examination and conduct of advocacy is second to none.’
    Legal 500 UK Bar Directory 2020 - Family & Children Law - Western Circuit

    Testimonials
    ‘I wanted to formally thank you for the absolutely amazing support you offered me in the recent matter with my ex-husband. I could not have hoped for a more brilliant team and am genuinely grateful.’

    ‘Thank you so much for your help. You don’t know what a difference you have made.’

    ‘When I instruct Oliver I know that my client will be well supported and at ease. I can rely on him to deal with complex issues and to do so in a way that is helpful to my client as well as to me as his instructing solicitor.’

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