International work remains the cornerstone of the Family practice at MSB Solicitors Ltd, with key work highlights over the past twelve months including representing foreign governing bodies in complex child cases. Able to offer a breadth of both private and legal aid work, the team is also routinely involved in Schedule 1 Children Act proceedings requiring non-molestation and occupation orders, as well as complicated divorce proceedings involving pension structures, business assets and intellectual property. Emma Carey‘s eminent reputation continues to generate activity for the practice and has overseen the expansion of the firm’s capabilities through the opening of the new Manchester office in 2022. ’Exceptional’ Liverpool team head Emma Palmer is chiefly recognised for her expertise in domestic abuse, coercion and forced marriage cases, and regularly works alongside her fellow co-head Pauline McNamara who possesses an ‘incredibly loyal’ client base of sport and media personalities, for whom she is a go-to for financial remedy work. Katie Camozzi continues to be integral to the success of the practice’s most complicated cross-border matters, while John Owens, who joined from Slater and Gordon in January 2023, has added strength to the new Manchester offering.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team is incredibly proactive as opposed to reactive. Always thinking five steps ahead. It is analytical in its thinking and the key is in the detail. Its drafting of documentation is superb and the team works together to ensure nothing is missed. They work in hubs so that someone is always contactable. They bill every month which means that clients are on top of their bills, and counsel are paid promptly which builds a collaborative relationship which stands the test of time.’
‘Pauline McNamara is robust and determined. Clients come back to her time and time again; they are incredibly loyal as Pauline has their backs until the very end. She has considerable expertise and ensures no stone is left unturned to provide the best results for her clients.
‘Pauline McNamara is the head of the department. She has built an extremely loyal family team to her which focuses on ensuring the client is fully prepared for and during the divorce process and is supported emotionally and sensitively throughout the court journey.
‘The family team is excellent and responsive to client's needs. The team is well led by Emma Palmer and Pauline McNamara. Clients are helped to form a firm strategy and timeline so that drift is avoided. The team is proactive not reactive. The paralegals and assistants are very helpful and up to date with each client's case. Responses to questions are dealt with swiftly and accurately.’
‘Emma Palmer is exceptional, extremely approachable, caring and always there to offer support and help to team members, law firms and the public. The firm and it's team do a great deal to keep updated with changes and resolve difficulties to help those in need.’
‘Quality advice and a friendly approach.’
‘It has breadth and depth of experience over the several areas of sub specialism in family law which makes them almost unique in this area.’
‘I have worked with many of the more experienced members of the team and always found them helpful, committed and talented. My view is that they fully deserve the reputation they have as one of the leading family law firms in the north west.’

Work highlights

Advised foreign Government on return of a child abducted from foster care and brought to England.
Advised Mother on enforcement of French Supreme Court Order and successfully prevented it.
Represented spouse in contentious divorce proceedings with hidden wealth across multiple jurisdictions.