Family Law in Partnership Ltd

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Bradley is a director at Family Law in Partnership. He has a comprehensive family law practice specialising in complex financial remedy proceedings, applications regarding the property of non-married couples and private children law issues, often with an international element. Bradley’s clients include City professionals, business owners and executives. Many of Bradley’s clients are international and most have substantial assets. Bradley has extensive experience of international family law cases. His work regularly involves: jurisdiction issues international relocation of children financial provision following an overseas divorce enforcement of foreign judgments; and pre and post nuptial agreements across jurisdictions, including the application of foreign matrimonial property regimes. Bradley has a reputation as a highly skilled negotiator and litigator, with finely tuned judgment and wide ranging technical expertise. He is adept at evaluating cases at an early stage helping clients to make informed choices to achieve effective long term solutions. Whilst Bradley strives to settle his cases out of court, he recognises that this will not always be possible or in the best interests of every client. He has acted on several landmark cases which have developed legal precedent. Bradley is a qualified mediator and family arbitrator (financial matters) and a collaborative lawyer.

Charlotte Symes

Charlotte is an experienced family solicitor, accredited mediator and collaborative practitioner. She deals with complex financial issues arising from divorce and separation and supports parents in relation to arrangements for their children. Her work has a strong international dimension. She speaks French and has particular expertise in advising on matters with a French element. As a director, Charlotte is part of the leadership team at FLiP. She enjoys the variety that being both a family solicitor and mediator brings to her practice and strongly believes these skillsets complement each other. As a family solicitor she advises clients in contested court proceedings as well as through amicable negotiations (see below for examples). As a family mediator she works with couples to reach agreements with mediation sessions taking place either alongside or outside of the court process. Charlotte’s qualifications as a family solicitor, accredited family mediator and collaborative practitioner enable her to genuinely offer the process that is most appropriate for each individual. Charlotte advises on all family law matters including: jurisdiction disputes where individuals may be able to start proceedings in more than one country financial issues arising from divorce, often involving foreign lawyers, dealing with valuations of businesses, properties, pensions and investments, tax issues, and the treatment of trusts property issues arising from the separation of a cohabiting couple financial issues between separating unmarried parents freezing injunctions to protect assets worldwide variation of spousal maintenance orders pre- and post-nuptial agreements cohabitation agreements separation agreements parenting issues involving child arrangements relocation of children within England & Wales or abroad abduction of children to/from England & Wales. Many of Charlotte’s clients are international. She has an appreciation of the legal and practical requirements in different jurisdictions, and a strong network of contacts worldwide to bring into matters, as required. Charlotte speaks French and has lived and worked in law firms in Paris. She is therefore regularly instructed by clients with links to France. She is familiar with the matrimonial property regimes in France and other European countries and is instructed to advise on pre- and post-nuptial agreements for clients needing to meet the legal requirements of both England and another country with a system of matrimonial property regimes. Charlotte is often instructed by owners (or their partners) of businesses and property portfolios with assets in the UK and abroad, within complex corporate or trust structures. Having previously worked as a corporate lawyer, Charlotte draws on her knowledge of company and property structures when reviewing disclosure documents within the divorce context. She also supports separating parents in relation to child arrangements and requests for permission to relocate with children, both within England & Wales and abroad. Charlotte is ranked as a Next Generation Partner in the Legal 500 directory. Feedback includes: ‘I chose Charlotte from personal recommendations and was not disappointed‘ and ‘Charlotte gives great technical advice. Despite it being a very technically challenging matter, Charlotte always remained available to talk to the client and provided clear and pragmatic advice throughout with a reassuring manner for the client in what could otherwise have been an extremely stressful situation‘. Charlotte is also ranked as a Recommended Lawyer in Spear’s exclusive directory for HNW and UHNW clients. The directory notes her ‘diverse and international’ practice and describes Charlotte as a solicitor who goes ‘out of her way to make what can be a painful process as stress free as possible.’

Daniel Coombes

Daniel is a director at Family Law in Partnership. He handles a wide variety of family law issues, with particular emphasis on resolving financial matters following divorce, and applications concerning children. He has particular experience of high net worth and international finance cases and complicated children cases, including those involving children born into same-sex families, parents with mental health issues and international relocation cases. Daniel's clients include senior businessmen and women, professional sportsmen and women, medical professionals, actors and those in the film industry, and their partners. Daniel is a trained mediator and collaborative family lawyer, as well as a determined litigator when required.

David Allison

David is a director at Family Law in Partnership who has specialised in family law for over 25 years. David's clients include business owners, entrepreneurs, bankers, other lawyers and their partners. The focus of David's practice is financial claims on divorce, particularly those with an international dimension, and the legal issues affecting cohabitants, same sex couples and civil partners. David settles the vast majority of his cases outside the court process but where cases have to go to court he is a determined and effective litigator. His goal is to achieve the best outcome for his client and to do so in a way that produces an efficient, fair and positive result. David is a trained mediator and has FMA senior mediator status. He is an experienced collaborative lawyer and is a Resolution collaborative specialist. David lectures, writes and broadcasts extensively on a wide range of family law matters including on issues affecting cohabitants and same sex couples.

Dominic Raeside

Dominic is one of the five principals who founded Family Law in Partnership in 1995. As Head of Mediation, Dominic holds the strong belief that whilst separation and divorce is often a difficult and painful transition, it does not have to destroy a family. Dominic’s practice is focused on helping couples reach a consensus about their future as it relates to their children, finances and housing. Dominic mediates both domestic and cross border family disputes including international child abduction, access and custody cases. Having worked for many years in the Courts advising the judiciary in contested children’s matters and previously having worked in the field of adult psychiatry, Dominic has a range of skills, knowledge and experience which he uses to help his clients to reach agreement. His work has earned Dominic a reputation as one of the most experienced and respected mediators in the country – many of his mediation clients are referred to him by the top family lawyers in the country. In 2013 Dominic was appointed to the prestigious role of the Family Mediator member of the Family Justice Council.In addition to his work as a Mediator, Dominic is a UKCP registered family and systemic psychotherapist and he sees clients in conjunction with his lawyer colleagues where he offers consultation on the child related, emotional and psychological aspects of divorce and separation.

Elizabeth Hicks

Elizabeth is a director at Family Law in Partnership. She specialises in all areas of family law and has a particular focus in advising HNW and UHNW clients on complex cross jurisdictional issues of family, matrimonial and trusts law. Elizabeth’s work includes divorce, contested financial remedy cases and asset protection, often involving international aspects. Elizabeth also advises on complicated private Children Act cases and Pre and Post Marital Agreements with both domestic and international aspects. Elizabeth’s clients include husbands and wives, cohabitants and sometimes children. They come from a range of backgrounds and include entrepreneurs, City professionals and various high profile individuals and their spouses and partners. As a trained collaborative lawyer, Elizabeth is experienced in using the collaborative process to resolve family law matters. She often prepares Pre and Post Marital Agreements using the collaborative process including those agreements which have an international aspect.

Elizabeth Fletcher

Elizabeth is a director at Family Law in Partnership. She focuses on all aspects of family breakdown but has a particular interest in managing arrangements for children both in and out of the court arena as well as resolving financial disputes arising from the breakdown of a marriage or relationship. Elizabeth’s clients include professionals and business owners & executives, as well as stay at home parents, including those who have an international background. As the mother of two young children herself, Elizabeth understands all the practical aspects that need to be addressed by parents dealing with a separation and the different anxieties which parents may have in managing those issues. Elizabeth is committed to resolving issues constructively both in and out of court. She is a trained mediator and collaborative lawyer. Elizabeth is a member of The Law Society's Family Law Committee.

Gillian Bishop

Gillian is a consultant at Family Law in Partnership. She is a founding member of the firm, setting it up in 1995 to provide a distinctive client focused family law service. As an experienced family lawyer, Gillian wanted to create a firm for clients looking for a holistic approach to their divorce. Gillian’s aim is to keep the family unit as amicably cohesive as possible.Gillian currently practises as an arbitrator for children issues drawing on the considerable depth and breadth of her experience as a family lawyer to deliver outcomes for families. She also guides prospective clients to the specialists at FLiP best placed to support their family law needs.

Grace Lawrence

Grace is an associate at Family Law in Partnership. Grace advises on international and high-value family law cases, often involving complex business and trust interests and issues of pre and post-marital wealth. Grace combines an empathetic and diligent approach, with a strong technical ability. Grace seeks to resolve matters outside of court where possible – employing solicitor-led negotiation or alternative processes such as mediation or arbitration. Where court proceedings become necessary, Grace is a confident and strategic litigator and hugely protective of her clients’ interests. Grace was named as a Rising Star and recommended for family law in the 2022 and 2023 editions of the Legal 500 directory, which comments that she is “extremely competent, knowledgeable and empathetic." Grace has been involved in supporting guests of the Restored Lives project on a pro bono basis.

Harriet Burge

Harriet is a consultant at Family Law in Partnership. She is a divorce and family law specialist with over 20 years experience. Known for her sensible, straightforward approach, Harriet’s aim is to help guide clients through the maze of decisions and consequences which flow from divorce or relationship breakdown at a pace and in a style which suits each client. Harriet's practice centres around advising professionals and their spouses on the financial consequences of divorce or separation and the resulting arrangements for any children. Harriet's work frequently has an international dimension and many of her clients have significant assets based both on-shore and off-shore. Harriet is a trained mediator, collaborative lawyer and a highly experienced negotiator and retains a wealth of traditional court based experience should formal action be necessary.

Helen Greenfield

Helen is a director at Family Law in Partnership who advises on all matters relating to family breakdown, divorce and cohabitation. Helen has a particular interest in helping those who have been affected by domestic abuse. This can include anything from isolating a person from their friends and family, monitoring their time, taking control over aspects of their everyday life such as where they can go, who they can see, what to wear, their finances or when they can sleep to threats to hurt to kill or even physical assault. Helen recognises that the legal implications of this are accompanied by a plethora of emotional and other issues. She aims to ensure that clients are able to work through these issues with the right advice and support. Helen is a qualified collaborative lawyer and a trained mediator. Helen is based in both Brighton & London and can see clients wherever is most convenient.

James Pirrie

James is a director at Family Law in Partnership. He specialises in complex financial issues arising from divorce and separation and non-adversarial and cost effective approaches to divorce including mediation, arbitration and collaborative law. James also has a strong track record of helping clients to achieve excellent outcomes in the Court system. James led Resolution's “Parenting after Parting” inititative to heighten lawyers' awareness of positive co-parenting. James is also the founder of Divorce Diaries, a collection of insights and experiences of former clients going through divorce or separation. He was one of the first lawyers to train as both a collaborative lawyer and a family arbitrator and James is qualified to arbitrate both financial disputes and children matters. As a trained mediator he is also qualified in the commercial model of mediation and direct child consultation.

Kara Swift

Kara is a Senior associate and collaborative practioner at Family Law in Partnership. She advises on all aspects of private family law for a wide range of clients. Kara is a qualified collaborative lawyer. Kara was named Family Law Young Solicitor of the Year 2019 in the prestigious LexisNexis Family Law Awards, having been shortlisted for the award the previous year too. Kara was named winner in the Lawyer Monthly Magazine Women in Law Awards 2019. The 2023 and 2024 editions of UK Best Lawyers have also named Kara as ‘One to Watch’.

Mariko Wilson

Mariko handles all aspects of private family law and has a broad range of experience, frequently acting for high net worth individuals in financial relief and divorce proceedings as well as acting in children matters. She has particular expertise in cases involving complex pensions issues, and in cases in which mental health issues are a feature. Mariko has acted on a number of complex cross border financial matters, often advising non tax resident and non tax domiciled individuals, entrepreneurs and individuals from the financial sector. She also has experience in dealing with property claims brought by third parties and unmarried cohabitants under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996. Mariko is experienced in dealing with cross border private children law matters particularly proceedings where one parent seeks to remove a child from the jurisdiction contrary to the wishes of the other. She also advises on financial claims on behalf of the children of unmarried parents under Schedule 1 of the Children Act, including in a cross border context. Mariko was named as a Rising Star in both The Spear’s 500 2019 Index of leading family lawyers and in The Legal 500 UK 2020, where she was also recommended for her family law expertise – “Mariko Wilson is exceptionally able. She is bright, organised, and forthright but charming”. The Legal 500 UK 2017 describes Mariko as “extremely numerate and a joy to work with.” The Citywealth Leaders List 2017 also ranks Mariko as a leading family lawyer noting that “She works tirelessly for her clients, going above and beyond at all times to act in their best interests.” Mariko was shortlisted in the Citywealth Future Leaders Awards 2018. Mariko is a trained family mediator,

Nicole Hackett

Nicole is a consultant at Family Law in Partnership. She specialises in all aspects of private family law and in particular financial issues arising on separation or divorce. Nicole has extensive experience of emergency applications to the Court and cases involving substantial and complex asset arrangements. She is well-known for her expertise in relation to pre-nuptial agreements. Nicole has also dealt with a number of cases involving children with special needs which require a particularly sensitive and constructive approach. Nicole’s clients include entrepreneurs, businessmen and women, celebrities, City professionals and their spouses and partners. Many of her clients are non-UK nationals and, as such, much of her work has a significant international dimension. Nicole began her career as a commercial litigator with a large City firm. Her background in litigation ensures that she is an experienced and robust litigator when required. Nicole is also a qualified mediator and collaborative lawyer.

Nicole Phillips

Nicole is an associate and mediator at Family Law in Partnership. She combines a warm, sympathetic manner with tactical nous and incisive judgment. Nicole handles all aspects of private family law, assisting and supporting clients who are navigating divorce or separation to resolve any financial or children issues that may arise. Nicole’s cases have involved a wide range of issues, and regardless of the subject matter, one constant feature across all of Nicole’s cases is how much better clients feel for having her at their side, with one remarking: “Your advice and counsel has been nothing short of excellent.” Nicole was shortlisted for the award Family Law Young Solicitor of the Year in the prestigious LexisNexis Family Law Awards 2018 and for Family Law Associate of the year in 2023. She was also named as a Rising Star by The Legal 500 UK 2020 and recommended for family law with the editorial noting: “Nicole Phillips is a real rising star. Nicole is commercially savvy and completely at home with complex business cases. She reads accounts and can manage the most complicated figures with aplomb. Don’t be misled by her youth and charm: she knows what she is doing”. Nicole has a strong interest in alternative dispute resolution and in working closely with other professionals such as family consultants and therapists to achieve a successful outcome for her clients. Her interest in holistic support is just one reason why she was elected to Resolution’s Innovation Committee (a national organisation of family lawyers with over 6,000 members), developing tools and business methods to benefit the whole membership and, by extension, the family law industry as a whole.

Pamela Collis

Pamela is a consultant at Family Law in Partnership. She is a very senior and highly regarded family lawyer having specialised in family law for over 35 years. Pamela is known for her pragmatic and constructive style and her strategic vision. Pamela’s primary focus is international and domestic family law matters particularly the financial aspects of relationship breakdown, private law children matters (including international relocation) and pre and post nuptial agreements. Pamela regularly deals with jurisdiction issues, cross border tax issues and cases involving complex business valuations. Pamela’s clients include senior lawyers and financial advisers, private equity and hedge fund professionals, business owners and their partners. Many of her clients are international, including foreign trustees and trust companies. Pamela has a litigation background and experience of a broad range of areas of the law including trusts, corporate and employment law. She is known for her financial numeracy and is regularly referred work by senior judges and members of the family law bar because of her depth and breadth of experience and her innovative and insightful approach to finding solutions to complex and challenging issues. Pamela is a qualified collaborative lawyer.

Ruth Smallacombe

Ruth is a senior accredited mediator and counsellor, practice consultant and trainer of mediators, lawyers and therapists. She has over 30 years’ experience in family, mental health and human relations, both in the public and private sectors. Ruth’s expertise covers the full spectrum of family issues ranging from divorce and separation (including finance and housing matters) to children matters (including residence and contact issues, international relocation of children and schooling) and mediation in relation to pre- and post-nuptial agreements, civil partnership and cohabitation agreements. She offers preparation and support to couples about to embark on mediation with other firms or court proceedings. Ruth also acts as a family consultant and sees clients in conjunction with her lawyer colleagues. She is an experienced counsellor with a depth and breadth of knowledge in this field and can offer couple counselling, when appropriate. Ruth’s clients include individuals, couples (including same sex couples), family members in dispute and children and young people, whom she sees either as part of their parent’s mediation process or for one to one counselling sessions.

Selena Arbe Barnes

Selena is an associate at Family Law in Partnership. She advises on a wide range of issues associated with the breakdown of marriage and relationships, including complex children and financial matters. Selena’s children cases often involve multi-layered child arrangement issues, including those where the most serious allegations have been made against parents. On financial matters, she assists clients at all stages of their divorce or separation with an approach tailored to their needs and circumstances – be it engaging in negotiation, alternative dispute resolution or court proceedings. In her work, Selena is regarded for her client care and emotional intelligence, as well as for her sharp technical skills. She is committed to resolving matters in a proactive and sensitive manner, considering all options to achieve a solution that is both sensible and fair. When this is not possible and court proceedings become unavoidable, Selena will take a robust approach to protect her clients’ interests. Selena is ranked as a Rising Star by Legal 500 2023, and was named as a Rising Star by Legal 500 UK 2022 and 2021. The 2023 and 2024 editions of the UK Best Lawyers guide have also named Selena as ‘One to Watch’. Selena is a fluent Spanish and French speaker. She uses her language skills to assist clients going through court proceedings abroad by working closely with local lawyers and liaising with third parties.

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