Kath Hill
Swinburne Maddison LLPThe family team at Swinburne Maddison LLP based in Durham acts for clients in public and private children law matters, matrimonial finance, and divorce proceedings. Legal director Kath Hill is a mediator and collaborative lawyer and heads up the team which is described as being professional, ‘kind, friendly and … non-judgmental.’ Managing associate Catherine Lowther has experience with highly sensitive care proceedings as well as with internal and international relocation cases. Ellie Straughan joined from Jacksons Law Firm in January 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Kath Hill takes great pride in her job and truly respects her clients. She doesn’t tell you what you want to hear, she tells you the facts and the options which, for me, is what I need. I don’t want things to be sugar coated in case things don’t turn out that way. Her empathy flows out of her but is still very professional.’
‘Wisdom, professionalism, guidance and experience are the words that spring to mind with regard to Kath Hill. With my matter I felt I was getting the best advice at a time when I could not see things clearly.’
‘I worked with Kath Hill after a recommendation. Kath was very knowledgeable and experienced in what was required in my case to help me. I would recommend Kath Hill highly to anyone needing support with family law.’
‘Their team, which is spread across several offices in the North East, displays significant experience of dealing with substantial cases.’
‘Kath Hill. She shows a nice mix empathy and realistic advice for clients.’
‘Kath Hill is a brilliant, collaborative lawyer. Kath makes collaborative working look incredibly easy, she is hugely skillful and her warm, yet professional nature puts parties at ease whilst instilling confidence. Kath is an absolute pleasure to work alongside.’
‘Swinburne Maddison's family team are well respected in relation to all family law matters. The team is led by Kath Hill who is a respected mediator and collaborative lawyer. Catherine Lowther is extremely approachable and is also committed to dispute resolution.’
‘Kath Hill. Kath is a well-known and well-respected family lawyer. She is particularly known for her dispute resolution work as a mediator and collaborative lawyer. I have worked with Kath on several cases both in the collaborative and traditional settings and have always found her to be down to earth, sensible and good to work with. Kath strives to reduce and minimise emotion and conflict between parties and also has a good technical ability in advocacy.’
Work highlights
- Representing a client in connection with defending an Application for permission to remove their children from the jurisdiction.
- Acting on behalf of a client in respect of a successful claim to enforce the maintenance element of a Consent Order which was agreed several years earlier.
- Representing a client in a case which involves significant allegations of parental alienation, sexual abuse and drug misuse.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Kath Hill