Clive Matthews, Managing Director and Kandy Dawson, Senior Managing Solicitor, head our Family Department with the help and support of
9 other highly experienced legal professionals including solicitors and a
Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. This department is divided into
groups each offering specialist advice on a particular legal area such as:
Public Law
Legal representation is sometimes needed at the most difficult time in
our lives, especially when it involves children or family members. Our
family department will provide supportive legal advice and representation
in such difficult circumstances our family team is comprised of
experienced solicitors and legal executives who offer advice with
compassion and discretion whilst at all times ensuring you fully
understand what is happening.
We act in all Public Law Proceedings, on behalf of parents, other family
members, children and Children’s Guardians. Public Law Proceedings include
applications by local authorities for Emergency Protection Orders (EPO)
and Care Orders. These can also include applications by parents for contact
with children who may be in care. Our wealth of experience covers all
aspects of public law and we will represent you in an official capacity at
events such as court, child protection conferences and official meetings.
Private Law
Divorce / Separation / Cohabitation / Civil Partnerships
Our experienced team are on hand to provide guidance and assistance
through the most difficult times of our lives, such as Divorce or Civil
Partnership dissolution. Whether you are starting your life together or
that your relationship has reached the end of the road, we are here to
offer legal advice.
Some of our solicitors are members of Resolution First for Family Law and
follow their code of practice. For further details please see our staff
pages.
Divorce
Divorce is a very traumatic experience even for the strongest person and
the implications regarding finances and children are numerous and complex.
Our team is totally focused on assisting you through these difficult and
confusing times. We will provide you with practical advice and help you
with your decision making. We will act with strength and compassion on
your behalf; our prime commitment is to always provide advice on the best
possible outcome for you and equally important for any children involved.
We have trained mediators on hand to provide professional mediation
services.
Civil Partnerships
When two people consider entering
into a civil partnership it can be a very daunting and confusing time. We
will advise you on all aspects of that decision and provide advice on both
the legal requirements and what we would consider to be good practice such
as clarifying what would happen to property, finances etc in the event of a
relationship breakdown. Many people starting out in civil partnerships don’t
think of what could happen but to us, it is imperative, to avoid possible
heartache.
We can also act for you should you wish the civil
partnership to be dissolved for any reason.
Harassment and Domestic Violence
Being the victim of Harassment and Domestic Violence is all too often
overlooked or ‘brushed under the carpet’. Our specialist team of lawyers
understand that decision making at these times is extremely difficult.
They are available to offer advice and assistance in a supporting and
informative atmosphere. We provide the help you need urgently; we assist
in obtaining court orders including: non-molestation orders which prohibits
the other person from using threatening words or behaviour, being abusive
or threatening towards you. Other orders can limit the other persons access
to your home even if they are the legal owners.
Wills
We are able to offer a full will
writing service to meet the specific needs of the clients. We can produce on
your behalf a wide range of Wills from basic to very complicated
specifically tailored to your needs.
The Private Family team also provide expert advice on:
Divorce
Separation
Financial Proceedings
• Maintenance
• Financial support
• Property Transfer
• Pension
Mediation
Pre-Marital agreements
Civil Partnership Work
Cohabitation Agreement
|
