Catherine Polli

Partner

01708 229 444

07900 953 597

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Catherine Polli studied law at Newcastle University, graduating in 1996. She then went on to complete the Bar of vocational course at the Inns of Court School of Law in London, qualifying in 1997.

Having  undertaken two specialist family pupillages in London she subsequently became a tenant at Tanfield Chambers. Whilst a pupil she was awarded a Hardwick Scholarship from Lincoln’s Inn.  Having practiced as a family specialist at the Bar in London for 7 years she decided to enter into private practice in Essex in 2003. She then joined Pinney Talfourd in 2004 as Head of the family team, becoming a Partner at Pinney Talfourd in 2006.

Catherine has remained head of the family team since that time. Over that time the family team has grown significantly both in strength and size and in now ranked in Tier 1 of Legal 500. She is also  named as a Leading Individual. Catherine continues to supervise all lawyers in the team. Catherine also now manages the marketing and business development team and is involved in the day to day management of the firm in her role Client Services Partner.  She also deputises for the Managing Partner when on leave.

She continues to undertakes divorce and financial remedy work with almost all of her clients being referred to her either by previous clients or professional contacts.

On a personal note

In her spare time Catherine likes to spend time with her husband Tim who practises at the Bar in Central London, and their two children.

They have been fortunate enough in recent years to travel frequently to countries including the US, Singapore, Thailand and Australia.

Catherine also enjoys Pilates reformer exercise which is a new found hobby and passion.

In her spare time she is also a governor of a central London school, a role she is passionate about. In that role she sits on the finances committee and safeguarding committee as well as on the main Board.

Areas of expertise

Family

Noteable achievements

  • Representing a client in financial remedy negotiations with assets in excess of £20m, incorporating commercial and residential property, company shares, other assets and tax issues.
  • Advising in relation to potential enforcement proceedings following a financial remedy Consent Order where the assets exceeded £15m.
  • Advising in relation to a £4m financial remedy involving income differential and school fees.
  • Advising in relation to financial remedy relating to older parties who were married previously and therefore held pre-acquired assets. Assets exceeded £7m.
  • Representing a City client with assets in excess of £16m property, company shares and significant other investments.
  • Representing a High Net Worth Client with assets in excess of £7m in negotiations with a City Firm. Assets included London property, a country property, property and investments abroad and pensions. After a financial remedy Consent Order was sealed the parties reconciled and a post nuptial agreement is now being considered.
  • Representing the applicant wife on an application for a financial remedy. The wife was a high earner and supported the husband during the marriage. She also made other significant financial contributions unmatched by the husband. The parties had no children together and the issues surrounded the categorisation of matrimonial/non-matrimonial property, inheritance, a significant number of chattels and whether the pension accrual prior to the marriage should be ringfenced.
  • Representing a client with assets in excess of £50m with issues involving non-matrimonial assets.
  • Advising the applicant husband in a very contentious financial remedy case. The husband worked for a well-known investment bank and had a complex income structure, which included restricted stock units as part of his bonus scheme. There were also a number of properties, some which were purchased by the husband or inherited by him. The wife had not worked during the marriage, and the parties had four children. The focus is therefore how the wife will meet her housing needs, the term and quantum of spousal maintenance and child maintenance (with the child maintenance being calculated using the James V Seymour calculation) and her income on retirement.

Qualifications & memberships

  • Legal500 logo
  • Legal500 logo
  • Chambers & Partners 2026

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Going through a divorce can be very difficult and can leave you feeling very unsure about how to make the right decisions or do the right thing for everybody involved. Catherine Polli brought a very high degree of professional expertise and qualified advice to help me find my way to appropriate decisions and a resolution that worked. Just as importantly, at a very emotional time I felt I was being treated with very high degrees of empathy and personal integrity throughout. I thoroughly recommend Catherine and all the team.

I have since used Pinney Talfourd for an assortment of other services, including Property transactions.

Mr L, Kent

"Excellent. Catherine Polli over-delivered. Professional, experienced, timely and flexible to my needs (I was managing this divorce outside from the UK). The legal advice was always balanced, always sharing the pros / cons and the legalities. This helped me in my decision making. I received regular updates and Catherine always made herself available if I needed to talk over the phone, or even on weekends to fit with my work / travel schedule. A role model of what you should expect to see from a professional. I would strongly recommend the services of Catherine and Pinney Talfourd."

Mrs H, Switzerland

"7 years later, I've recommended yet another friend to you this week. I'll never forget your care and consideration throughout. I know you are the right woman for the job! I told her to build an army of good people around her - and that you were my General!"

Mrs H, London

"I would like to thank you for all of your help in dealing with my case. Thank you for being brilliant at corresponding, listening to and understanding my wishes, and guiding me clearly throughout. I am glad we worked together on this."

Mrs D, Essex

"Catherine was very professional, she was timely with answering queries, giving information and following up. She was prompt and kept you informed on actions being taken with my input and her advice. Her assistant Suzanne Figgins was invaluable also when contacting or leaving a message for Catherine if she was unavailable."

Ms M, London

"It seems inadequate to say "thank you" but I hope that my appreciation comes across. With highest regard for you and Pinney Talfourd - I am proud to be associated with such a professional and trustworthy firm."

Mrs J, Surrey

"When your friends and family suggest you should seek legal assistance, perhaps you should. I wish I had. Through uncertainty and fear I delayed the inevitable, but as soon as I made that step and met Catherine I felt a problem had been lifted off my shoulders. Catherine explained everything, dealt with matters swiftly and no question was too small. Along the way Catherine kept me updated and dealt with everything so efficiently. I can't thank Catherine and her team enough and needless to say, I have recommended Catherine to a friend."

Mrs G Essex

"I would like to thank your firm, and in particular Mrs Catherine Polli and her team. This matter has been continuous over the past fifteen months and I am pleased to say that it has been made less difficult by Mrs Polli's kind attention over several matters relating to the family home and finances, plus the divorce. A happy conclusion."

Ms M, Hornchurch

“I just wanted to say thank you very much for all your help and support over the last few years with my case. I have really appreciated your honest advice and guidance throughout the time you were working for me. I always felt that you listened and understood, and therefore were able to offer the best advice on the way to proceed. I would have no hesitation in recommending you and your services to anyone who needs legal advice.”

Mrs B, Essex

Catherine is a hugely experienced lawyer who assisted me with my divorce recently. Throughout the matter she has always taken the time to explain things clearly and comprehensively, and to keep me up to date with progress promptly and regularly. She and her team are extremely efficient. I would have no hesitation in recommending Catherine to any prospective client.

Mrs C Essex