Sills & Betteridge LLP
Rising Star 2024 Ailsa is an Associate Solicitor in our Family Department. Ailsa can provide advice on all aspects of separation including divorce, finances and private children matters.
England - East Midlands • Private client
Sills & Betteridge LLP
‘Extremely experienced in their field with a wealth of talent’ Sills & Betteridge LLP’s sizeable family law group is led by Helen Derry, a specialist mediation and in pre and post nuptial agreements. As head of the emergency team, Chrystal Theofanous is instructed in domestic abuse, children’s law, international child abduction, forced marriage prevention and complex care proceedings. Lincoln’s Mo Hayes and Jessica Firth-Brown are both well respected children law specialists. In Nothampton, ‘exceptional’ Siobhan Thompson and Nicholas Flatt ’go beyond duty every time to ensure that the children have best representation.’ Senior associate Ailsa Tennant is also noted for divorce, finances and private children matters. Dominic Lee joined from John Hooper & Co in May 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Chrystal Theofanous and her team are amazing. They always go the extra mile with a high level of experience and knowledge of international children matters; they are becoming more prominent in this area which is positive to note.’
‘Chrystal Theofanous manages her cases impeccably and her team always knows what is happening at every stage. Chrystal is always available for her clients and counsel and takes an active role in all elements of her clients cases; her advice is spot on and her support of counsel is invaluable.’
'Ailsa Tennant’s collaborative and measured approach to cases has always ensured that the working relationship between client, solicitor and Counsel is a smooth and successful one. Ailsa always provides extremely helpful and comprehensive briefs and, where further information is required, responds to queries of all natures in a timely, attentive way.'
‘Helen Derry stands out as a strong leader of the family team. She leads on the commitment to training and development of the entire team and is a proven performer in her field with many years of experience.'
- 'Nick is very passionate and very balanced in his approach to representing children. He goes beyond duty every time to ensure that the children have best representation.'
‘Siobhan Thompson is an experienced solicitor in children's cases. She is very hardworking and dedicated to a high level of client service. She is particularly popular with Children's Guardians.’
‘Nick Flatt - An exceptional solicitor, who always works hard for his clients, understands issues and 'gets' family law.
- 'Siobhan Thompson - An extremely hard working children law specialist, who is well respected by Guardian's for her focus on best outcomes for children.’
‘Jessica Firth-Brown is excellent in private law children matters. She really cares about the clients and works tirelessly on cases. She has always managed the client's expectations in advance and is very user-friendly. She is passionate about her cases and is always on top of things. It is a pleasure to be instructed by her.’
Lawyers
Rising stars
Leading individuals
Sills & Betteridge LLP
Leading Individual 2024 A partner in the family department at Sills & Betteridge specialising in advising and acting for victims of domestic abuse, international child abduction - acting for parents whose children may have been abducted outside of the UK or retained in the UK, and all public law Children Act matters.
Next Generation Partners
Sills & Betteridge LLP
Next Generation Partner 2024 Dominic is a qualified solicitor and partner in our Family Law team. He specialises in divorce and financial cases as well as private children law disputes. Dominic has acted for a wide range of clients across the UK, including business owners, military personnel and farmers. He has particular experience in advising company directors and helping them to navigate the additional complications that can arise where business assets are involved in relationship breakdown. He regularly writes articles on divorce and financial matters and is on the East Midlands Resolution Committee.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Helen Derry