Making of the Steel Magnolia: How £550-an-hour Queen of the family court Fiona Shackleton became Britain's most feared - and best dressed - divorce lawyer representing King Charles, Paul McCartney and Liam Gallagher (just don't mention Heather Mills)

She was dubbed 'Steel Magnolia' for her charm and determination after securing Prince Charles a divorce settlement in 1996, which saw Princess Diana lose her HRH title.

Since then Fiona Shackleton, Britain's highest-profile divorce lawyer, has worked with A-list stars such as Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher and Madonna during their expensive and heavily spotlighted splits. 

Baroness Shackleton, 67, is now claimed to have been in contact with actress Isla Fisher in 2022 before her divide from estranged husband Sacha Baron Cohen. 

Fisher, 48, is said to have discreetly got in touch with Baroness Shackleton, who charges £550 per hour, several years before the actress publicly announced her split from Baron Cohen last week.   

Baroness Shackleton was famously doused with water in court by a furious Heather Mills while representing Beatles legend McCartney during the couple's divorce in 2008.

The lawyer ensured former model Mills got only £24million of the £125million she had sought. 

McCartney filed for divorce on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour, while Mills accused the musician of regularly being drunk and smoking cannabis, while also alleging he had been physically abusive. 

Baroness Shackleton's ex-Army husband is a descendant of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. 

The divorce lawyer even represented global superstar Madonna in her divorce from Guy Ritchie in 2008, with the singer and actress revealing the couple's marriage collapsed after the romance died over time. Madonna was married to film director Ritchie for nearly 10 years between 2000 and 2008.  

Oasis star Gallagher was also represented by Baroness Shackleton while he was embroiled in a legal battle with his ex-wife Nicola Appleton in 2015. 

The rocker's five-year marriage to Ms Appleton collapsed in 2013 when it emerged he was expecting a child with American journalist Liza Ghorbani, with whom he had an affair. 

Appleton and Gallagher met in 2000 when Gallagher was the frontman of Oasis and Ms Appleton was a singer with girl group All Saints. The following year, they welcomed their son, Gene. 

Baroness Shackleton also helped Nigella Lawson through her high-profile divorce to Charles Saatchi in 2013, which saw the food writer and TV cook end the couple's 10 year marriage on the grounds of her husband's 'unreasonable behaviour'. 

It is understood Mr Saatchi dispensed with lawyers to deal directly with Nigella's famous lawyer Baroness Shackleton in an attempt to keep his multimillion pound art collection intact. 

The daughter of a Bank of England adviser and the Sheriff of the City of London, Baroness Shackleton was educated at Benenden School in Kent. 

Despite gaining just a third in law at Exeter University, the lawyer joined the Queen's solicitors, Farrers in 1984.

She rose to partner level and then joined Payne Hicks Beach in 2001.

Fame came after she handled the divorce between the Duke and Duchess of York in which Sarah Ferguson was made to surrender her royal title.

She also represented Prince Charles in his divorce from Princess Diana and was his personal solicitor until 2005.

Baroness Shackleton has also become known for her daring fashion sense that is not always entirely in keeping with Bar Council and Law Society guidance, which stresses 'business suits' should be worn. 

Her colourful looks soften her image, perhaps leading opponents to underestimate her. They might also be a savvy PR trick, ensuring all eyes are on her even when pictured with world-famous clients. 

Now actress Isla Fisher is said to have quietly got in touch with Baroness Shackleton in 2022 before her split from Baron Cohen. 

On Friday, British actor Baron Cohen, 52, and Australian star Fisher announced they had quietly separated last year.

When Fisher contacted Baroness Shackleton in 2022 she is said to have advised the screen star and Sacha, who reportedly have a prenup, to go down the 'amicable route'.

It has been claimed Isla and Sacha, who have three children, could attempt to come to a settlement over Sacha's £40million estate.

A source told The Sun: 'Isla has known for some time the marriage was over, and after some difficult conversations with Sacha, made the decision to consult a divorce lawyer. This was back in early summer, 2022.

'Fiona Shackleton was recommended by mutual contacts, and Isla was put in touch with an associate at the office.

'It was also suggested she seek out a lawyer in the US, where the couple have a home.

'Fiona is an incredible lawyer, and utterly fearsome in both reputation and ability.'

They went on to say it was suggested the pair attempt to keep things as amicable as possible for the sake of their children.

But, if things do turn sour, Baroness Shackleton will ensure she does a thorough job for her client Isla.

Borat star Baron Cohen is said to have spoken to Laura Wasser who represented Johnny Depp when he split from Amber Heard, and was involved in Angelina Jolie's divorce from Brad Pitt.