4PB Welcomes Her Honour Michelle Corbett to Chambers

We are pleased to announce that Her Honour Michelle Corbett has joined 4PB, effective 18th June 2025.

Michelle has had a distinguished career both at the Bar and on the Bench, bringing with her a wealth of judicial experience to 4PB and in particular to the Non Court Dispute Resolution Team.

Called to the Bar in 1987, she practised in family law, with a particular focus on children law, before being appointed to the Circuit Bench in 2009. Over the years, Michelle has held senior positions, including Senior Circuit Judge and Designated Family Judge for West London, where she led the family judiciary across seven courts and presided over some of the most complex children’s cases.

In addition to her Circuit Judge responsibilities, Michelle has served as a Deputy High Court Judge since 2012, sitting on a variety of cases at the Royal Courts of Justice, including international child abduction and relocation matters. She retired from the Bench in February 2025 but remains approved to sit as a Deputy Circuit Judge on the South Eastern Circuit.

Michelle has also made significant contributions outside the courtroom, including, inter alia, serving as a family tutor at Judicial College from 2014 to 2023 and playing a key role on the Review of the Presumption of Parental Involvement Advisory Group.

Michelle is a Bencher of the Inner Temple and a registered member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, where she is qualified to arbitrate in children’s cases and offer Early Neutral Evaluation.

4PB’s Joint Head of Chambers, Charles Hale KC, said, “We are delighted to welcome Michelle to 4PB. Her vast experience, both as a practitioner and a distinguished Judge, provides another strategic addition to our Non Court Dispute Resolution team. Michelle’s expertise and approach to family law is well known to anyone who was lucky enough to appear in front of her, whether lawyer or client. Pragmatic and no nonsense and with bags of real-world empathy, Michelle epitomises what being a “good Judge” really means.  Now she will bring that skill set to the 4PB family and to our clients at a time when so many seek to resolve their disputes outside of the court system.  The strength and depth of 4PB’s NCDR team continues to grow.

Michelle added, “ I’m excited to join 4PB and contribute to the exceptional work carried out by colleagues at such a highly respected set. I look forward to supporting the continued success of 4PB and building further on the impressive foundation already established.”