Family: Kent, Surrey, Sussex

Stevens & Bolton LLP

The family law team at Stevens & Bolton LLP ‘are exceptional in every way', regularly advising business owners and medical professionals on their financial and children-focused work. Pre- and post-nuptial agreements are an area of expertise for the Guildford-based team, with practice head Nicola Harries often advising on both nuptial and cohabitation agreements. Grace Parker-White is a key name within the team for alternative methods of dispute resolution as a hybrid mediator regularly supporting clients through separation. Sean Hilton has a ’well-deserved reputation for excellence', with niche experience in regards to third parties protecting assets subject to matrimonial disputes.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Stevens & Bolton are exceptional in every way. I do not know of another law firm outside of London, that handles cases with the attention and skill that this firm does. Their family team sit amongst other highly capable teams. In several cases, their commercial and private wealth team have provided invaluable advice at a moment's notice. There is no case they could not handle.’
‘Nicola Harries is the star of the show. She is extraordinarily clever and is able to get to the nub of a case very quickly. No detail is missed, but she is careful not to miss the woods for the trees. If I were to get divorced, I would use Nicola.'
‘Sean Hilton is a charming and calming guide for clients through even the most difficult of cases. A big name in the market, one who is getting bigger for good reason. He has a well deserved reputation for excellence and ability beyond his years. A very bright future awaits.’
‘The team at Stevens & Bolton are highly professional, experienced and able.’
‘Nicola Harries is well respected and a go to family lawyer for high net worth clients.'
'Grace Parker-White's attention to detail is second to none and she is growing a successful mediation practice.’
‘Nicola Harries and her team provide a refreshingly different approach because they put the client first in genuinely seeking a pragmatic solution, rather than creating ongoing conflict between divorcing parties. Clearly no two divorce situations are the same which means that there are a wide variety of potential solutions, all of which are considered by the team, so that the clients benefit from pursuing an appropriate solution, rather than one which is more enduring, costly, and emotionally draining than it need be.'
'Divorce is obviously a painful and sensitive process, and a really exceptional solicitor will go way beyond the hygiene factors of technical knowledge and generic professionalism. Nicola Harries does exactly this and treats her clients with genuine concern for not only for their financial, but also emotional well-being allowing for the impact of the process on their mental state.'

Work highlights

Acting for a wife and providing advice in relation to finances, the parties have assets in three European jurisdictions and significant investments (including in funds), and are in the process of moving towards a private financial dispute resolution (FDR) hearing.
Advising a husband currently in proceedings, the parties both benefit from significant and complex family assets (including trusts and estates) and there is an earning capacity issue regarding the other party.
Advising a client in relation to the preparation of a pre nuptial agreement to protect most of their £20-40m wealth on marriage, which caters for a more generous provision if the couple have children.