Anna Clifton, MCIArb

Training & experience

MA Oxon (Lit Hum). College of Law.

Trained in the City with a Private Client firm (1 Bedford Row) and moved to Crisp and Co in 2010 where she was made Partner in 2015, before joining Stowe in 2023.

Anna qualified as a mediator in 2021 and as a family arbitrator in 2024.

Acted (inter alia) in: Forder v Forder 2005; F v F 2013; Re JS 2014. She has litigated at every level of the Civil Court, from Magistrates to the House of Lords (now the Supreme Court).

Specialisms

Anna specialises in complex cases, where she frequently navigates situations that spiral into multiple litigations stemming from the breakdown of her clients’ adult relationships. Despite the intricate legal proceedings, Anna consistently places the welfare of the family’s children at the forefront of her concerns.

Approach

Anna’s clients are frequently unaccustomed to the challenges of both relationship breakdowns and litigation, understandably finding the experience daunting at best and terrifying at worst. Drawing from her two decades of experience in family law, Anna has honed the ability to provide clear advice and effective support and her qualification as an Arbitrator (Private Judge) gives her a clear perspective on fair, achievable outcomes and the route to resolving those. She strives to alleviate the inherent unease by focusing on the positive outcomes sought and guiding her clients along a constructive path to resolution. In her approach, Anna actively seeks out the silver lining in each situation, injecting a sense of humour and perspective which allows for resolution to be reached without a deleterious impact on the client.

Accreditations, memberships & awards

Anna is a qualified family mediator and arbitrator.

Outside of work

Anna’s spare time is, in the main, spent facilitating the social lives of her children, at the expense of her own.