This impressive practice offers a comprehensive family service from two offices in Yorkshire. Financial provision, cohabitation disputes and collaborative law are particular areas of expertise. The team is also a growing force in the market for advising same-sex couples on issues ranging from finances to children law. Sources confirm: "The advice they offer is spot-on."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Martin Loxley heads the firm's national family practice from South Yorkshire. "If there's anyone better in Sheffield I've yet to meet them," says one observer. Leeds-based Peter Morris enters the rankings this year on the strength of strong client endorsement: "He is amicable and looks at all avenues." Other interviewees add: "He stands out as unique and will go the extra mile." Both partners focus their attention on high-value matrimonial finance disputes, often ones involving international assets.
This "utterly brilliant" niche group maintains its excellent reputation in the region. It offers a dedicated children law group and another focusing on financial provision. The team handles the usual dissolution of civil partnerships and marital agreements, child abduction and residence cases, and also offers mediation and collaborative law services.
Client Service "Very honest and transparent." "Very efficient and professional."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Peaker advises high net worth clients on matrimonial finance disputes. Clients note: "He is empathetic and provides clear, succinct advice detailing all the risks in the situation." Trained mediator Peter Jones' "sensitive and easy-going approach" stands all parties in good stead in complex financial disputes. Fiona Kendall is dual-qualified in Scottish and English law, so she is well placed to advise on cross-border cases. She is experienced in cohabitation matters, and clients appreciate her "forthright and supportive" manner. Consultant Norman Taylor "has the experience and ability to explore all the possibilities in a dispute - he will think outside the box."
This extremely well-regarded regional practice has a strong bench and a deep well of experience to draw upon. The past year has seen lawyers handling a variety of cases, including private children work, negotiating pre and post-marital agreements and high-value divorces with international assets.
Client Service "They're always one step ahead and deliver fantastic quality and a first-rate service."
KEY INDIVIDUALS David Salter co-chairs the national practice. His practice revolves mainly around financial provision and often includes cross-jurisdictional elements. "He is the doyen of matrimonial lawyers, especially where divorces combining pensions with an international element are concerned." Leading the Yorkshire team, Philip Way provides his clients with "top-level advice and an impressive degree of care." Nicola Criscione handles both children-related law and finance cases.
This niche firm has quickly established a strong reputation in Yorkshire and sources agree there is "no weak link in this team." The team is based in Leeds and comprises a variety of well-regarded experts. Lawyers focus on the needs of high net worth individuals in traditional litigation or in collaborative proceedings, and sources admire their tendency to "take a tactical approach."
Client Service "Well run and professional."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Lyn Ayrton has a sterling reputation in the market: "Her training is second to none, she has a prestigious background and her bedside manner is super." She brings over 20 years' experience in a practice that focuses on high-value divorce settlements. Frances Bailey is praised for her "amazing attention to detail." Her experience includes dealing with financial provision involving business interests, trusts and agricultural partnerships.
This outfit has gained in stature over the past year and observers commend its "solid and constructive offering." The team regularly advises on high net worth financial settlements and divorce litigation. As well as traditional advice, the team offers collaborative law expertise.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Simon Preston is "an accomplished performer - constructive and sensible." His practice focuses on high value financial provision, frequently involving complex business assets and international interests. Rising star Adrian Clossick wins praise for his ability to "convey complex or technical issues to clients in a clear and concise way." He is experienced at dealing with cohabitation claims and finance cases. Sources admire his "unflappable demeanour."
The Hull-based group "punches above its weight" across the country. The team is experienced in mediation and collaborative proceedings, and the "constructive and supportive" lawyers are praised for their "good negotiating skills."
Client Service "Sensible, experienced and outward-looking." "Effective, prompt and clear." "I don't think you could have a better service anywhere else."
KEY INDIVIDUALS The "polished" Richard Hoare wins plaudits for his ability to "stand back and see the bigger picture." He is also "good at analysing the detail." Recent work includes advising on marital agreements and financial provision involving international assets and business interests.
This highly regarded team has a strong focus on collaborative law, an area it is keen to promote. The practice is noticeably "forward-thinking and offers clients care and diligence." The compact group concentrates on privately funded work and attracts an impressive clientele.
KEY INDIVIDUALS The "technically proficient and tenacious" Stephen Root heads the team and routinely handles cases involving farming interests, international assets and businesses for high-value individuals. Sarah Smith emphasises collaborative proceedings and she is adept on both finance matters and children law. Her down-to-earth approach "stops the whole procedure from becoming too daunting."
This group is recognised in the market for its commercial outlook. It offers the full gamut of family services, including advising on the dissolution of civil partnerships and marital agreements. The team is described as "knowledgeable, pragmatic and empathetic."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Justine Osmotherley heads the department and is adept at dealing with international assets and business interests. Recent cases include high-value financial provision and Schedule 1 Children Act cases. Sources praise her "excellent judgement, conciliatory manner and firm advocacy."
Based in York, this family group regularly handles both publicly and privately funded work. It is experienced in cases involving business interests, farming assets and international elements.
Client Service "The lawyers are conscientious, diligent and tenacious and provide clients with an excellent level of service."
KEY INDIVIDUALS The "reliable and efficient" Sheelagh Coles is a child-focused practitioner whose compassionate protection of the vulnerable stands out in clients' minds. Much of her practice involves public children cases and she regularly conducts her own advocacy. Mark Day's practice centres on high-value divorce and the resulting financial disputes and settlements. He is a trained mediator and a pioneer of the collaborative approach. A grateful client notes: "He made a difficult process much calmer and more longsighted than it would otherwise have been."
Andrew Meehan of Harrogate Family Law has firmly established himself as a key presence in the market. His practice includes high-value financial provision involving business interests and international aspects. He also handles children law and is trained in collaborative law. A client notes:
"He excels in every aspect - he is sympathetic, clear and approachable." Peter Foskett of Gordons LLP is a trained mediator and regularly advises on matrimonial financial settlement disputes. One source comments that he is
"empathetic, clear and focused on what needs to happen and when." Sheridan Ball of Rollits is adept at both finance and private children law, where she often represents grandparents and parents. She is recognised for pioneering mediation in her practice, and for her
"spot-on preparation." Elizabeth Bowskill of Lester Morrill has over two decades of experience in all areas of family law. Clients commend her ability to listen to the issues and to explain the legal process clearly. Leeds-based
Carol Grundell of DWF LLP is experienced in marital and cohabitation agreements, adoption and abduction issues.
Angela Moores of Jarvis Family Law is known for her forceful defence of clients. She represents individuals in all manner of matters, including divorce, marital agreements and children law.
Paul Milligan of Ford & Warren is described as
"straightforward, no-nonsense and robust without being aggressive." He only takes on privately funded cases and, since he focuses on financial provision, he is an authority on obtaining freezing orders. The conciliatory approach of
Rachel Spencer Robb at Last Cawthra Feather is greatly appreciated in the market.