Robert Webster is a partner at Maguire Family Law and a dual-qualified family law solicitor. He originally qualified as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand in 2015 before qualifying in England and Wales in 2018. He advises on all aspects of family law, including divorce, financial remedy proceedings, children matters and cohabitation disputes, and has experience conducting contested hearings in both the Family Court and the High Court. Robert is known for his pragmatic and client-focused approach, combining clear legal advice with an understanding of the personal challenges faced by separating families. He has also developed a particular interest in the treatment of complex and emerging assets in divorce, including cryptocurrency and other forms of digital wealth, and has written on these issues for a range of national and professional publications.
What was your career path to your current role?
I studied law at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, where I completed a Bachelor of Laws alongside a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English and Film. I qualified and practised as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand in 2015. In the early stages of my career I was lucky to work for a multi-service firm which gave me exposure to a number of different areas of practice, including construction, commercial, employment, environment, civil litigation and, of course, family law. It was clear from early on in my career that family law was going to be my passion.
After relocating to the UK in 2017, I spent a year studying and cross-qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales. I initially worked at a firm in Liverpool city centre as a paralegal, getting to grips with an entirely new jurisdiction, and upon qualifying I moved to a high-street practice in Lancashire before joining Maguire Family Law in January 2020.
Did you have any other career ambitions?
I have always been interested in writing and the arts. While law was ultimately the right professional fit, that interest has carried through into my career through legal writing, commentary and contributing to wider discussions about developments in family law.
What keeps you motivated in your work?
Family law sits at the intersection of technical legal problem-solving and very real human experience. I am motivated by helping clients navigate difficult and often emotionally charged situations with clarity and confidence, and by finding practical solutions that genuinely improve their circumstances.
I also enjoy engaging with how family law continues to evolve, particularly as financial structures, technology and asset classes become more complex.
What has been the best development in family law in the last 20 years?
The introduction of no-fault divorce has been a significant and long-overdue development. Removing the need to attribute blame has helped reduce conflict at the outset of proceedings, allowing separating couples to focus on practical arrangements rather than adversarial narratives. In my experience, this has encouraged a more constructive approach to resolving financial and children issues and better reflects the realities of modern relationships.
And the worst?
Ongoing pressure on the Family Court system remains a significant challenge. Delays and limited court availability can prolong uncertainty for families at an already stressful time, reinforcing the importance of careful case management and realistic advice from an early stage.
If you could bring in one new piece of legislation for the sector, what would it be and why?
I would welcome meaningful reform of the legal rights of unmarried couples. Despite the prevalence of long-term cohabitation, many people remain unaware of the limited legal protections available to them on separation. Introducing a clearer statutory framework for financial claims between unmarried partners would provide greater certainty and fairness, particularly where there are children or significant interdependence, and would help align the law more closely with contemporary family life.
What piece of legislation would you take off the statute books and why?
Rather than removing legislation entirely, I think there is scope to modernise certain aspects of financial remedy law so that it better reflects contemporary financial realities, particularly where assets are held in non-traditional or digital forms that were not envisaged when much of the current framework was developed.
What’s the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you regarding your career?
That strong communication is just as important as technical legal ability. Being able to explain complex issues clearly, manage expectations and listen carefully to clients is fundamental to effective practice. Also, as a junior, to always carry a pen and paper everywhere you go!
What’s the best piece of advice you’d like to give to someone just starting out?
Take the time to understand what really matters to your client, not just what is legally possible. Family law is rarely about achieving a perfect legal outcome, but about finding the right outcome for the individual involved.
Tell us something people may be surprised to know about you…
Alongside my day-to-day practice, I have developed a strong interest in legal writing and commentary. I have written and been featured in a number of national and professional publications, including The Times, FT Adviser, Today’s Family Lawyer, New Law Journal and Legal Futures, focusing in particular on the challenges posed by cryptocurrency and digital assets in divorce. This has allowed me to contribute to broader conversations about how family law must continue to adapt as financial landscapes change.
Outside of the law I am kept busy with three very young children. I’m a voracious reader, enjoy strength training and love to travel as much as possible.
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