Max Montgomery
Call 2021
Telephone 020 7831 0222 | Email [email protected]
Max Montgomery
Call 2021
Telephone 020 7831 0222 | Email [email protected]
Max joined 42BR following the successful completion of his pupillage in October 2023. He is developing a broad practice, with a particular interest in family law and employment law.
Max read Law at the University of Cambridge and completed the BPTC at City, University of London, before being called to the Bar in 2021. During his studies, Max volunteered with Advocate, Liberty and the Free Representation Unit. After graduating, he amassed a broad range of litigation experience, working for a leading international law firm and two boutique litigation specialists.
Outside work, Max enjoys watching and playing sport. He is particularly keen on rugby, having been awarded a Cambridge Blue for competing in the 2014 and 2015 Varsity Matches. These days, he finds he is less injury prone watching from the sidelines.
Family Law
Max has experience across the full spectrum of family law, with a particular focus on private children law and financial remedies. He also appears in applications for protective orders under the Family Law Act. Max regularly acts in complex cases involving serious allegations of domestic abuse and cases with an international element. Recent matters include:
Private Children Law
- Re C [2025] – represented the respondent mother in a Directions Hearing to determine interim contact arrangements where both parties had made urgent applications for child arrangements orders. Obtained a favourable interim contact order in the mother’s favour, returning the child to her care, having not seen her in some weeks.
- Re S [2024] – represented the applicant mother at a four day Fact Finding Hearing; successfully obtained all findings sought of serious domestic abuse.
- Re H [2024] – represented the respondent father in a Directions Hearing concerning an application for enforcement and variation of a child arrangements order; achieved a favourable settlement at court by way of a minor variation to the order.
Financial Remedies
- IA v I [2025] – represented the 1st applicant in a complex financial remedies Final Hearing involving two applicants; obtained a favourable outcome in line with the 1st applicant’s open offer.
- B v B [2025] – represented the applicant at an FDR; achieved a favourable settlement involving a significant lump sum paid in the applicant’s favour.
- A v K [2024] – represented the applicant in an application to set aside a consent order made under duress in financial remedy proceedings; successfully set aside the consent order and obtained a costs order in the applicant’s favour.
Family Law Act
- C v C [2024] – represented the respondent in a Final Hearing concerning an application for a non-molestation order. Successfully defended serious allegations of domestic abuse and obtained a costs order in the respondent’s favour.
- B v B [2024] – represented the respondent in a Return Hearing for an application for a non-molestation order and occupation order on short notice, the respondent having only learnt of the proceedings on the morning of the hearing. Achieved a favourable settlement, resolving the matter at the Return Hearing by way of undertakings.
Public Children Law
- Re M [2024] – represented the child’s guardian, led by Amanda Jepson, in a 10 day fact finding hearing in the High Court.
- Re A [2024] – acted for a Local Authority in the High Court and successfully obtained an order to exercise parental responsibility under the Court’s inherent jurisdiction.
Employment Law
Max acts for employees and employers across all areas of employment law, with particular expertise in claims under the Equality Act. Max regularly advises on each step of the litigation, including the merits of settlement. He also has experience drafting pleadings and case management documents in preparation for hearings.
Recent matters include:
- Representing the claimant in an unfair dismissal case and negotiating a favourable settlement on day 1 of the Final Hearing.
- Representing the respondent, a national supermarket, in a 4 day Final Hearing and successfully defending claims for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.
- Successfully resisting an application for reconsideration on behalf of the Respondent following strike out of a claim for discrimination.
Business & Property Law
Max has represented, advised and drafted pleadings for both claimants and defendants in a wide variety of contractual disputes. Max has extensive experience in this area, having worked for leading boutique commercial litigation firms, CANDEY and Signature Litigation, prior to coming to the Bar.
Recent matters include:
- Successfully representing the claimant at trial in a claim for unjust enrichment against a former business partner.
- Advising a major shipping company on the merits of a claim against a bank in relation to APP fraud.
- Advising and representing a claimant property management company in relation to a lease renewal dispute.
Inquests
Max has a developing practice in Inquests. In November 2023, Max was led by Richard Furniss as junior counsel to the Inquest for Senior Coroner, Sarah Ormond-Walshe, in the 11 day Inquest into the death of Sergeant Matt Ratana. The Inquest was widely report in the media.
