Nikki Saxton KC
Call: 1992 | Silk: 2024
-
CIArb
Family Financial Arbitration
-
Nikki specialises in complex financial proceedings in divorce and Children Act Schedule 1 proceedings for unmarried parents as well as being instructed to advise upon and draft pre and post-nuptial agreements. She also acts as an arbitrator and private evaluator in finance cases. She is regularly instructed in cases involving complex corporate interests, trusts and tax issues. She is known for her ability to balance first class legal analysis with practical negotiation skills and a commercially savvy approach, making her a trusted advisor in complex disputes. Much of her work is handled confidentially, with disputes often dealt with either at private FDRs or through arbitration. Whether appearing as advocate or evaluator she thinks out of the box to try to find a solution for the parties.
-
Nikki is regularly instructed to act as both an advocate and evaluator. She is sought out for her sensible approach, knowledge and reputation in both complex financial remedy and schedule 1 claims. Over the last 3 years she has been involved in over 60 pFDRs as either advocate or evaluator.
-
Nikki is a qualified arbitrator and is a member of CIArb.
-
Private FDR
M v F (Private FDR Advocate 2025): M and F had never lived together and there was no contact between the child and F and was unlikely to be (M having relocated abroad). Represented F who had assets of c £18million but with access to very significant wider family wealth. M running “comparable lifestyle arguments” in reliance upon the wider family wealth. Impact of W’s relationship with new partner on level of provision to be made by F.
M v F (Private FDR Evaluator 2025) Schedule 1 claim. F was a sportsman with a high income but short-term contract. Issue over sustainability of funding of housing provision for the child where ability to finance in medium to long term uncertain.
M v F (Private FDR Evaluator 2025): Schedule 1 claim. Parents unmarried but long-term relationship. Capital c £5m of which only c £1.5m held jointly. Issue whether M required additional capital provision on schedule 1 terms. F was a high earner engaging issues of the limits of the HECSA.
H v W (Private pFDR Evaluator 2024): Assets of c £6m plus W’s minority interest in a valuable non matrimonial property business owned by her family engaging arguments of the extent resource to W.
H v W (Private FDR advocate 2025): 2 day meeting before KC evaluator. Nikki representing the wife. Parties had sold business to EOT for c £30 million which was owed by way of loan notes and deferred consideration to be paid from future profits giving rise to arguments over post separation endeavour, discount and Wells sharing.
H v W (Private pFDR advocate 2025): Represented H who was part of management of and held shares in PE owned company, re-invested from an earlier buy out during the marriage. W sought ongoing Wells sharing (with target figures of £20m vs current value of c £3m). H successfully argued buy out/ tapered sharing.
H v W (Private pFDR advocate 2024): Complex long marriage farming case. Asset minimum value £17m complicated by lease option to use vast majority of land for solar with consequent increase in land value and income yield. Extended and multifaceted negotiation with Tax and Trusts input to safeguard the family’s long term wealth interests.
Arbitration
Arbitration (2025): Preliminary issue to determine whether the separation agreement agreed and implemented a few years prior was presumptively dispositive before Court considered the appropriate directions thereafter. W alleging H manipulated company value (pre discount values of c £7m used cf alleged c£13m true value). Further allegations of undue pressure and abuse of dominant position.
Arbitration (2025): Asset poor (£4m) income rich (c£1m) case. Represented W who sought stockpiling fund with deferred clean break at target figure after c30 year marriage.
-
T: 01274 722 560 or 0113 246 2600
Clerks

