Machins Solicitors LLP's law team is ‘at the top of its field', with broad capabilities in both public and private family law. Kathryn Ainsworth heads the private family law department in Berkhamsted, and is described as ’quite simply one of the best solicitors in the business' whose team often assists business owners, farmers, and international clients. In Luton, Children’s Panel member Sarah Ashby heads the public department, often acting in matters concerning international and step-parent adoptions. Berkhamsted's Richard Phillips advises on nuptial agreements. Having joined the group in July 2023 from Stowe Family Law LLPSadie Glover is particularly experienced in short marriages. Reena Vadera joined the Luton team in May 2023 from IBB Law along with Laura Martin-Reed in September 2023 from Family Law Group, further strengthening the firm's children law offering.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Sadie Glover is fantastic and outshines the competition. She is extremely hard working and is always excellent with clients, who really feel they have a titan on their side. Sadie’s cases are always thoroughly prepared and her clients receive her insightful advice at an early stage which properly prepares them for the litigation to come. I cannot recommend Sadie enough.’

  • ‘Sarah Ashby is thorough, detailed and incredibly easy to work with. A real star.’

  • ‘Richard Phillips is a great solicitor. Very much a "safe pair of hands". Hard working, reliable, good judgment, always tries to settle cases where possible. Has an enormous amount of experience which feeds into his case preparation and advice.’

  • ‘Sometimes people living in the Home Counties feel they need to head to London to get top quality family law advice, but Machins in a firm which proves that is simply not true. They are more than a match for the London lawyers in all but the most complex and highest value cases.’

  • ‘Kathryn Ainsworth is an excellent family lawyer. She gets under the skin of a case right at the outset and her tactical planning towards the desired result is unerringly right on the mark.'

  • ‘Kathryn Ainsworth is quite simply one of the best solicitors in the business. An amazing tactician who has clients eating out of her hands.'

  • ‘Machins is at the top of its field for public, family law. They are careful with clients, listen to their needs and deliver easy and timely paperwork. The associates are all hard-working, friendly and knowledgeable.’

  • ‘Joe Colley is a stand-out associate. He works tirelessly and diligently for his clients. He has a thoughtful and measured approach and his cases are meticulously prepared. He quickly gains the trust of his clients and offers robust, pragmatic and strategic advice to cut through the issues and ensure his clients achieve the best possible outcome.'

Lawyers

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Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Kathryn Ainsworth, Sarah Ashby

Other key lawyers

Richard Phillips, Sadie Glover, Joe Colley, Paul Owen, Laura Martin-Read