Family/Matrimonial: The South

Charles Russell is a recognised national leader for family law, and its Guildford office houses a particularly strong team. It is expanding its collaborative law and mediation offering and it is also a force to be reckoned with in regular court proceedings. Its main focus is on complex and high net worth ancillary relief for very wealthy and high-profile clients. Sources note that the team has "enormous resources to draw on from the London office," as well as from other departments within the firm, including tax.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Margaret Tyson attracts enormous respect from market observers across the whole country. She handles complex and high net worth ancillary relief matters, regularly representing well-known entertainment and sports personalities. "She has a pragmatic approach, is technically very good and quite formidable in terms of ability and knowledge. Clients always feel they get the best advice from her." Like Tyson, Karen Wilsher comes highly recommended for her expertise in ancillary relief matters. Observers applaud her as a real joy to work with and add: "She is clever and incisive, and also extremely good with detail - nothing slips past her."

This group enjoys an excellent regional reputation and also continues to expand its work for London-based clients. Very complex ancillary relief work is undoubtedly its forte, but it also handles cohabitation disputes, prenuptial agreements and children work. Sources note its increased emphasis on collaborative law, mediation and other ADR methods. Peers describe the team as "really excellent with great strength at the junior end," while clients applaud its responsiveness, support and efficiency.

Client Service "They provide good value for money and an excellent support service for their clients."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Amanda Andrews is praised by clients for her professional and competent approach: "I was impressed by her legal knowledge and experience, intellectual and emotional intelligence, efficiency and empathy." She has handled both complex ancillary relief matters and a child relocation case in the last twelve months. 

This "young, fresh and commercial" group is exceptionally well regarded for matrimonial finance work. Market observers note that it is punching above its weight, and increasingly receives "wealthy divorce work that traditionally would have gone to the big London firms." It advises and represents high-profile clients from the media and sports industries, as well as wealthy business professionals. In addition to strong representation in court, the group can offer highly experienced mediators and collaborative lawyers.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Neil Davies is a hugely respected family mediator who is "capable of handling the biggest cases," as he is "thorough, utterly professional and beautifully prepared." His recent work highlights include a complex international divorce case as well as a multimillion-pound farming case. Department head Huw Miles is described as having "a fresh attitude to family law." He continues to strengthen his collaborative practice and is an expert in Inheritance Act work. "He is very much on the ball," say sources. Frank Prior enjoys a strong reputation in the market, and is praised as an original thinker whose "wealthy client base has the utmost faith in him."

Despite the recent retirement of former team leader Pauline Johnson, this firm retains a solid reputation for family work. Its main strength lies in financial matters related to divorce and relationship breakdown, and it continues to strengthen its expertise in cohabitation issues and private children matters. Sources applaud the group's settled and coherent approach: "They speak to each other and know exactly what's going on"

Client Service "Extremely nice client service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Christopher Upfield is lauded as a very personable man who is "thorough, cautious and hard-working," and whose "preparation is excellent." He mainly represents senior officers and attachés working abroad in financial matters, often involving pensions. Sources agree that associate Sally Pike is someone to keep an eye on for the future. She is described as a very able lady who has a "very approachable and efficient style. She gives good advice in a client-friendly manner."

Lester Aldridge houses a "warm, welcoming and incredibly approachable" family team. The group is experienced in all areas of private family work, and has in the last year been particularly active in complex ancillary relief cases. It also has a growing reputation for international surrogacy work. The team regularly works together with colleagues from the firm's other departments, including real estate and commercial, offering clients a full and integrated service. 

Client Service "They have always been incredibly supportive and helpful through the whole process." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jane Porter heads the family department and is its leading light. Clients applaud her honesty: "She is very direct and straight to the point - says it how it is. She doesn't lead you in the wrong direction." She has recently been particularly busy in the drafting of prenuptial agreements.  

This team has retained its fantastic reputation despite the recent retirement of its head of department, Barbara Wright. Its client base consists of high-profile local individuals as well as international business professionals, and one of its cases in the past year involved assets based in India. It is increasingly involved in cohabitation disputes and matters relating to prenuptial agreements.  

Client Service "They were honest and clear and kept me informed at all times. I felt that my money was well spent."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Joanna Pratt has taken over as head of department. Her practice covers both matrimonial finance and children matters, and she is a trained collaborative lawyer. One enthused client reports: "I think her honesty stands out. She is to the point and very helpful. She guided me very well in an emotional time." Sarah Judd earns accolades for her ancillary relief and private law children expertise. She sits as a Deputy District Judge in the Principal Registry of the Family Division in London, and observers are impressed with her vast experience in the field. Senior associate Desmond O'Donnell is applauded as a "sensible and talented lawyer," who is trained in both mediation and collaborative law. Clients say: "He has a very good understanding of the human aspect of work and is terribly professional." Kirstie A Law "is really exceptional for money work." Peers admire her sensible and pragmatic approach, while clients enthuse: "She is excellent in every way - clear, efficient, friendly yet professional."

This group has a reputation for handling some of the most complex and high net worth financial matters, often involving international elements. It houses "excellent solicitors dealing with quite traumatic cases," say sources. It also boasts lawyers who are able to handle complicated Children Act proceedings. "They are top-notch and I am very lucky to have found them," enthuses one client.

Client Service "I honestly think I couldn't ask for more in terms of support. They delivered very quick and good advice - first rate."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Karin Walker is praised by market sources as an extremely hard-working and approachable lawyer, who always considers mediation and collaborative ways of solving family disputes. She is instructed in some of the most complex and high net worth ancillary relief cases around and draws a lot of respect from peers in the region. 

This long-established group has grown in the last year, and is applauded for its strength in depth and efficient service delivery. It focuses on matrimonial finance matters, and has of late been increasingly involved in drafting pre and postnuptial agreements. The team has also recently been involved in a number of children matters, including matters involving international child abduction and leave to remove applications.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Judith Ball is particularly skilled in complex financial matters involving pensions, trust and family business issues. She was recently involved in drafting a complex prenuptial agreement, as well as in an ancillary relief matter containing extensive offshore trusts. Candida Purser is a consultant with the firm and an expert when it comes to family issues involving expatriates. She enjoys a fantastic reputation for her work on a range of international family issues.

Kent-based Brachers houses a strong family team that offers the full range of services, with a particular focus on high-value ancillary relief and Children Act work. The team is able to call upon the expertise of the wider firm's commercial and private client experts, enabling it to offer clients a truly holistic service. Clients applaud the "professional, polite and pleasant team."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mary Raymont is a trained mediator and collaborative lawyer who impresses observers with her broad-based practice. Recent work highlights includes a complex care proceeding and ancillary relief matters. Clients are quick to applaud her confident, professional and prompt approach.

This five-strong team offers advice and representation in a wide range of family issues including complex ancillary relief, cohabitation disputes, pre and postnuptial agreements and international child abduction. The team operates out of the firm's Ringwood and Bournemouth offices, but regularly receives referrals from leading London firms.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Deborah Leask is held in high regard for her work on complex and high-value matrimonial finance matters. She is a skilled litigator, but also highly able to settle cases through mediation and collaborative law. Sean McNally heads the family department. He is particularly skilled in international child abduction matters, but also handles a range of matrimonial finance matters.

Family Law Partners was recently set up by a group of former Mayo Wynne Baxter partners. The group receives private instructions in matters including divorce, pre and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation and private Children Act matters. It is highly dedicated to alternative methods of dispute resolution, including mediation and collaborative law.  

Client Service "Issues are always dealt with swiftly and efficiently. The whole team is very friendly."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Alan Larkin's practice covers both complex ancillary relief and children matters. Observers report: "He is down to earth and a pragmatist. He is client-focused and even in litigation works hard to settle the case." Robert Williams handles financial matters resulting from divorce and relationship breakdown. "His manner is calm and reassuring; he is a highly talented lawyer and a pleasure to work with in the collaborative setting," say sources. Linda Lamb is applauded for the high level of support she provides: "She is extremely professional, warm and provides friendly support on difficult issues." Formerly of Mayo Wynne Baxter, David Stevens joins the firm as a consultant. He is particularly noted for his advice on children matters.

This solid practice is held in particularly high regard for its work on high-value divorce matters. A substantial amount of its work contains international elements and often involves overseas assets. Observers admire its dedication to sensible outcomes: "They take a reasonable, proportionate and refreshing approach to litigation. They are committed, yet objective."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sarah Duckworth comes highly recommended for her expertise in complex matrimonial finance matters. She is a trained collaborative lawyer.

This compact yet nimble group is greatly admired by market observers for its strong local presence. Boasting in-house mediators and collaborative lawyers, the group is particularly well placed to offer conciliatory means of reaching settlements. One source says: "They are a very good firm. Everyone likes them and they're a good niche team."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Suzanne Sutherland enjoys a hugely loyal client following. Her collaborative skills are held in particularly high regard, and sources are quick to commend her sensible and thorough approach. Dinshaw Printer is admired for his matrimonial finance practice: "Clients love him; his judgement is really impressive and he is extremely affable."

This group handles high net worth ancillary relief matters for regional and London-based clients, and is increasingly instructed by clients based abroad. In court it often finds itself pitted against leading London firms. It houses two train collaborative lawyers and is also developing a mediation practice.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Caroline Gordon-Smith heads the family department.