Paul Britton

I started my professional career working as a Business Manager for the then-FTSE 100 Daily Mail and General Trust. In 2009, I decided to make the change and become a solicitor.

After graduating as a mature student, I went on to pursue a training contract at a boutique London-based litigation firm while undertaking a Master’s degree at the University of Law.

Time and time again, I came up against book smart solicitors who lacked the common sense needed to ensure any litigation is successful. The real world does not care for books. The reality is that it’s ruthless, harsh and unforgiving if you do not get it right the first time. It demands lateral thinking, tenacity and pro-activity backed by an academic understanding of the law, not led by it.

I knew there was an opportunity to provide a better service to clients, which is why I set up Britton and Time Solicitors.

Paul graduated from the University of Law, Guildford in 2014 and has been qualified as a solicitor since 2017. Coming from a multi-legal background, Paul supervises all practice areas at Britton and Time.

Paul primarily works on contentious litigation matters, both criminal and civil, family issues and employment matters. Paul frequently acts in high-profile cases that attract extensive media coverage and for high net-worth individuals who require the utmost discretion.

Due to the nature of the cases Paul works on, he is fully aware of the impact of the media on his clients and the sensitivities these matters bring.

He has most recently acted for a client in a high-profile criminal defence matter with multiple allegations, which was heard in the Old Bailey (The Central Criminal Court of England and Wales).

Paul is regarded as a “top divorce solicitor” in England and Wales, as well as holding several other accolades that span his legal career from leading criminal defence lawyer and legal expert. He has been described as a formidable opponent and as a Solicitor Advocate, Paul regularly exercises his rights of audience in the High and Crown courts.

2015

Paul began his legal career on Chancery Lane, London, at a multi-disciplinary firm, acting across family law, criminal defence and civil litigation. In family cases, he represented parents in urgent prohibited steps and specific issue applications, carefully balancing safeguarding concerns with parental rights. 

That year, Paul appeared in a high-profile child abduction case involving allegations of alienation, assault, non-molestation, domestic abuse and contempt of court.  

Alongside family work, he acted in a highly complex £40 million fraud case spanning 8 weeks in the Crown Court and involving international transfers, seized goods, frozen bank accounts and forensic expert evidence. 

Paul also developed a strong practice in road traffic and general criminal defence. He regularly provided advocacy in the Magistrates’ Courts for clients charged with drink-driving, speeding, driving without insurance and causing death by careless driving; achieving acquittals and penalty reductions through meticulous evidence testing and cross-examination. 

By the end of 2015, Paul had firmly established his reputation in the legal industry, becoming widely known for his tenacity, advocacy and ability to handle sensitive, high-stakes cases. 

2016

Paul’s practice broadened into complex property and contractual matters, including TOLATA cases where he secured declarations of equitable interest in co-ownership disputes. 

He also relied on the contractual doctrine of contra proferentem to defeat ambiguous and onerous contractual terms, securing favourable outcomes in civil claims. 

Paul acted in his first professional negligence claim against a firm of solicitors, establishing duty of care, breach of duty, and causation/damages — marking the start of a growing practice in solicitor negligence and regulatory breaches. 

In wider civil litigation, Paul represented Mr Powell in the well-publicised Powell v Thomas case. Spanning two years, this quantum meruit claim involved disputes over property interests and complex expert evidence, attracting attention across mainstream national media outlets. 

Later in the year, Paul acted on a contested probate matter under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 on behalf of dependent beneficiaries, successfully securing provision from the estate. 

Paul maintained a busy criminal defence practice, representing clients from police station interview through to trial in matters including complex drug conspiracies, sexual allegations and general criminal misconduct. 

2017

Paul acted on a complex case involving the abuse of a power of attorney, successfully uncovering deliberate dissipation of funds and securing restitution for the vulnerable donor. In a separate matter, Paul exposed handwriting fraud and the falsification of a signature on a will, deploying expert forensic handwriting evidence to overturn the fraudulent testamentary document in court. 

Paul also represented an international client in a protracted contractual property dispute dating back several years. The case, heard in Wales, resulted in a judgment far exceeding his client’s expectations. 

In the family sphere, Paul acted for a high-net-worth individual embroiled in an extremely contentious matrimonial dispute involving divorce, multi-layered financial arguments and sensitive child contact arrangements. His approach skilfully balanced asset division, maintenance and child welfare, providing strategic, direct and empathetic representation. 

Throughout late 2017, Paul defended several clients accused of fraud and financial crime, securing no further action decisions from the Police in all cases.  

2018

Paul acted in numerous boundary disputes and Party Wall claims, deploying expert surveyors – instructed in full compliance with CPR Part 35 – and utilising historic title documentation and mapping evidence to resolve contentious issues between neighbouring landowners.

In a standout year, Paul was instructed in a technically complex Admiralty Court claim (Queen’s Bench Division), whilst concurrently bringing a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 in the Chancery Division. He successfully recovered a valuable maritime asset in the Admiralty Courts whilst securing provision from the estate in the probate claim, exercising his rights of audience in both jurisdictions to achieve a comprehensive victory for his client.

Paul’s legal acumen was further showcased in a high-profile matrimonial and Schedule 1 Children Act case involving multiple jurisdictions. The dispute centred on the permanent removal of children from the jurisdiction, residence arrangements, and sensitive contact issues. Drawing on his expertise in international family law, Paul instructed psychological, cultural and safeguarding experts compliant with CPR Part 35 and skilfully navigated complex cross-border legal systems to protect the emotional well-being of the children.

2019

Paul acted in a highly complex international divorce involving multi-jurisdictional assets, successfully arguing habitual residence to secure English court jurisdiction and achieving an exceptional 75% award of matrimonial assets.

Paul negotiated a sensitive Deed of Variation for a Will that failed to provide for grandchildren, achieving fair re-allocation while avoiding hostile family litigation.

Paul continued to act in serious fraud and undue influence litigation. He represented an elderly client who had been systematically defrauded by her accountant over several decades, uncovering a sophisticated pattern of financial exploitation. Working with forensic accountants and financial experts, Paul built a compelling case and recovered substantial losses.

Paul defended a Crown Court manslaughter and abduction case, developing a nuanced defence and delivering robust arguments throughout the trial. Lewis Power KC described him as “a defender of the wrongly accused” — an accolade reflecting not only his formidable courtroom advocacy but his unwavering commitment to justice and fairness.

2020

In 2020, Paul was instructed on several criminal appeal cases, providing frank and reliable advice as to their merits. Some appeals were pursued successfully, while others were properly advised against. What stood out to his clients was Paul’s direct and pragmatic guidance — advice they could rely upon when deciding whether to proceed with the risks of appellate litigation. 

Paul successfully defended a client accused under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. His deep understanding of financial crime enabled him to dismantle the prosecution’s case, securing an acquittal in a complex and hard-fought trial. 

Alongside these headline cases, Paul maintained a diverse practice, extending to internal investigations, advising on self-reporting, and negotiating settlements. He regularly appeared before both the Magistrates and Crown Courts, providing robust advocacy and strategic representation. 

This was also the year Paul founded his own firm, Britton and Time Solicitors, with offices in London’s Mayfair and Brighton. Launched with an already established and substantial client following, the firm quickly gained recognition for handling high-value, sensitive and complex legal matters across family, crime, probate and litigation. 

2021

This year also saw Paul instructed in complex equity and trust disputes, including cases involving Quistclose trusts, tracing, and proprietary claims in mixed funds. These matters required detailed financial analysis, expert forensic evidence, and the careful application of equitable principles to recover misapplied or commingled assets for his clients. 

Paul adeptly settled a £9 million matrimonial finance case at only the second hearing, securing a clean break settlement with no spousal maintenance, pension sharing, or lump sum order. His client commented, “This outcome is why I came to Paul. His skill in navigating my case and at financial negotiations was remarkable and aligned with my expectations.” 

In another divorce proceeding, Paul successfully challenged the enforceability of a post-nuptial agreement, persuading the court to exclude it from evidence and strengthening his client’s financial claims. 

2022

In 2022, Paul was instructed in highly sensitive cases invoking the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court. These included wardship proceedings and applications going beyond traditional family remedies, where urgent protective orders were required to safeguard vulnerable individuals. He also advised and acted in cases involving Forced Marriage Protection Orders, ensuring that clients facing coercion or abuse were protected by the full extent of the law.

In a complex Schedule 1 Children Act case involving overspend and costs clawback, he persuaded the court to backdate child maintenance and secure a £25,000 lump sum for his client. This significant ruling provided vital relief, enabling her to discharge outstanding debts and stabilise her financial position.

Later in the year, after three years of protracted litigation, Paul obtained judgment in favour of a client for a seven-figure sum. Notably, the court also awarded indemnity costs — a rare outcome, reflecting the strength of Paul’s case preparation and courtroom advocacy.

2023

By 2023, Paul had become a recognised voice in the media, regularly appearing on national television to provide expert legal commentary on high-profile cases and developments in the law. His clear, authoritative analysis brought complex legal issues into public discussion, further enhancing his reputation as both a practitioner and thought leader.

In practice, Paul’s legal expertise and skill led to his instruction in a high-profile gross negligence manslaughter case. The case involved exceptionally serious allegations, including the concealment of a birth and perverting the course of justice. Paul’s role in such a sensitive and complex matter highlighted both the breadth and depth of his criminal defence practice.

Over the years, Paul had become widely regarded as one of the top criminal defence solicitors in England and Wales. This recognition reflected his strategic thinking, exceptional advocacy and track record of success in cases involving fraud, homicide, sexual offences and financial crime. In parallel, he had also become nationally recognised for his expertise in divorce and matrimonial law, with the media, including the BBC, frequently referring to him as a “Top Divorce Lawyer”.

2024

In 2024, Paul acted as solicitor throughout the landmark case of Rea v Rea, from the High Court through the Court of Appeal and ultimately the Supreme Court, where his client, Mrs Rita Rea, succeeded at every stage. The case is now recognised as the leading authority in England and Wales on contentious probate and undue influence. 

Paul handled cases involving polygamous marriages and the application of s.11 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, which governs the validity of such unions under English law. His expertise in both statutory interpretation and comparative family law allowed him to navigate an intricate area with cultural sensitivity and legal precision. 

Paul was also instructed in challenging financial remedy proceedings where conduct was a key factor, with arguments centred on whether misconduct had materially affected the fairness of the financial outcome.  

In another ongoing matter, he advised on both pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements that he assessed as manifestly unfair. His examination uncovered disclosure failings, elements of duress, and significant changes of circumstance, grounds upon which he mounted a strong challenge to their enforceability. 

2025

Paul’s practice encompasses the most complex litigation in England and Wales across criminal defence, family, probate and commercial disputes, often in cases where the law is developing or precedent was at stake. 

Paul was instructed in an eight-figure matrimonial finance dispute involving undisclosed crypto-assets, offshore trusts and international property portfolios. The case raised novel questions around the valuation and disclosure of decentralised digital currencies, as well as enforcement against assets held in opaque offshore structures. 

In parallel, Paul defended corporate directors and employees in a VAT carousel fraud investigation valued at over £22 million, where issues of restraint and freezing orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 were vigorously contested. His early strategic advice was central to preventing the collapse of client businesses under investigation. 

In the Court of Appeal, Paul represented adoptive parents in a significant case considering the intersection of parental responsibility, adoption law and Article 8 ECHR rights of biological fathers. The judgment provided welcome clarification on how competing parental rights should be balanced where family life had already been established with adoptive parents. 

In the Commercial Court, Paul acted in a fraudulent misrepresentation claim arising from a failed joint-venture investment, where investors alleged deliberate concealment and falsification of financial statements. His leadership in tracing misappropriated funds and deploying expert evidence compliant with CPR Part 35 demonstrated his command of high-stakes commercial litigation. 

Throughout 2025, Paul continues regular media appearances, cementing his profile as one of the country’s most recognisable solicitor-commentators. 

Paul remains recognised not only for his formidable experience in family and criminal defence work, but also as a leading litigation solicitor handling contentious wills, fraud, POCA matters and high-value commercial disputes. His ability to bring clarity and strategy to highly complex cases continues to attract a wide and loyal client following. 

“Top service”

We first met Paul a couple of years ago when he took over what was a very complicated case for one of our landlords. I cannot recommend him and his firm highly enough. Super professional and highly experienced.

Julie

“Won my case”

Paul Britton is an exceptional solicitor. His expertise and legal knowledge won my case. He exceeded all my expectations of lawyers. Highly recommended for anyone seeking top legal representation.

Helen

“A frank, insightful and clear conversation”

Paul gave his time generously both in pre-reading and for our conversation, and explored various courses of actions I could undertake. He did not push for the avenue that would generate further legal fees for him; instead he honestly recommended what he felt was the most beneficial course of action. He also provided some useful contacts.

Rulande