Sills & Betteridge LLP‘s large-scale family law practice group has a strong influence in the region and is built around core teams that handle all aspects of matrimonial finance, emergency, care, children and mediation, respectively. The practice has garnered praise for being ’hard-working, dynamic and very focused on best outcomes’ and is headed up by Helen Derry, whose diverse caseload frequently includes divorce, property issues, maintenance, nuptial agreements, co-habitation disputes and private children’s cases. Chrystal Theofanous is head of the emergency children and domestic abuse team, whilst Mo Hayes is a specialist for public law care proceedings, specifically child law cases, and spearheads the care team. Dominic Lee‘s practice emphasises divorce and financial cases as well as private children’s law disputes. Siobhan Thompson and Ailsa Tennant are other key contacts within the wider department.
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Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They pay attention to detail and give the client the attention they require to their case. They are well-prepared and efficient as a team. They are good with technology and have a supportive environment from the top down in the team.’
‘Hard-working, dynamic and very focused on best outcomes. They really do take their client's part and push as far as possible. Don't take no for an answer! Forthright and powerful litigators.’
‘Sarah Rowe is an outstanding young lawyer. Always thinking creatively and fearless - challenges orthodox thinking and is more than happy to pursue cases through the appeal courts. If I needed a family solicitor to really fight my case (and do so effectively) I would instruct Sarah Rowe.’
‘The public law team - and in particular Chrystal Theofanous are exceptional. They work so hard in the best interests of their clients and have an amazing level of compassion too. They are always willing to properly challenge the local authority and the Guardian when appropriate to get the very best levels of engagement and results. ’
‘Excellent regional firm with friendly, caring ethos but gives practical and sensible advice. ’
‘Mo Hayes is a very experienced children's lawyer who represents parents, grandparents and children. She is a conscientious, hard-working, and effective advocate. Sympathetic to vulnerable parents but realistic in the advice given. Chrystal Theofanous is a vigorous, enthusiastic champion of parents, especially young mothers and fathers. Very hard-working and down to earth.’
‘A strong team with an experienced Family Law base. Particularly strong in team training and development. Expertise on Armed Forces Pensions in particular which serves the local population well when advising divorcing clients given the number of RAF bases in the Lincolnshire area.’
‘Helen Derry - Strong leader of the team, very good on mediation cases, very knowledgeable.'
Work highlights
- Acted for the respondent children in a reported domestic abuse case before the Court of Appeal involving the welfare of two children; the court in November 2023 dismissed a parent’s appeal of an application to revoke placement orders – an order made by the court authorizing a local authority to place a child for adoption.
- Challenging children’s care case acting for the respondent child (via the children’s guardian) before the Court of Appeal.
- Represented the father in a child abduction case at the Court of Appeal in which the appellant mother challenged the decision of a High Court judge to return a child to Australia, arguing that the lower court judge had erred.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Dominic Lee
Siobhan Thompson
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Helen Derry
Other key lawyers
Chrystal Theofanous; Mo Hayes; Jessica Firth-Brown; Nicholas Flatt; Siobhan Thompson; Ailsa Tennant; Dominic Lee; Sarah Rowe