Family

David Gray Solicitors LLP

Client Satisfaction

The ‘trustworthy, hardworking and intelligent’ Newcastle-based family law team at David Gray Solicitors LLP ’represent clients in court with extreme skill and professionalism’. The department is led by financial arbitrator Lucy Mead, who is well-versed in advising clients regarding divorces and the dissolution of civil partnerships, arrangements for children, injunctions, and financial issues. Children arbitrator Elspeth Thomson represents adopters and children in cases with cross-border elements. The ‘excellent’ Lesley Monkhouse has expertise in parental alienation issues and is ’vastly experienced in some of the most complex cases to come before the family court’. Associate Anna Curphey is praised by clients for her ‘kindness alongside her professionalism, honesty and extensive knowledge of family law’. Claire Hunter, who specialises in family law and court of protection work, was promoted to partner in September 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Everyone I have encountered at David Gray have been professional, honest, respectful and understanding. They make you feel as if you are in safe hands and actually care about your situation.’
‘I cannot praise Anna Curphey highly enough. From my very first meeting with Anna, I felt in safe hands. Anna displays a kindness alongside her professionalism, honesty and extensive knowledge of family law. She was meticulous and professional while in court, while also ensuring I was calm, understood everything that was happening and what I was expected to do.'
‘Lucy Mead and her team are very helpful, and you can tell they put their all in.'
‘Lucy Mead gives sound advice and really precise predictions, she is always honest and works hard to get the right outcome. She is highly knowledgeable, her skill set includes an ability to engage well with the children she represents.'
‘Lucy Mead represented me during my contentious divorce. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a very experienced solicitor in this matter. She put me at ease and took away any stress during a highly difficult time.’
‘Elspeth Thomson is very experienced, seeks advice where necessary and her client care is excellent. She is an excellent advocate and gives sensible and pragmatic advice to lay clients, firmly and with empathy. She is particularly good with lay clients who have cognitive difficulties and explains issues in a clear and simple way which is readily understood.’
‘The family law team at David Gray’s are all trustworthy, hardworking and intelligent. They show good communication skills and I can rely on them to take the initiative and to stay calm under pressure. They represent clients in court with extreme skill and professionalism. They constantly strive to further educate and improve knowledge and skills.’
'Lesley Monkhouse is excellent. She is vastly experienced in some of the most complex cases to come before the family court. Incredible with clients.’