Experienced mediator and child law arbitrator Ian Walker heads up the family law offering at boutique firm Walker Family Law together with divorce and financial remedies specialist Fiona Griffin and child law expert Emma Perkins. The team is well-regarded for its experience handling private FDRs for clients with offshore assets and mediation in the context of cohabitation disputes, and it increasingly acts for both clients in divorces using the Resolution Together model. Child abduction and abuse cases are a further area of focus.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Paul Sykes is a truly conscientious solicitor who will very much fight his clients corner but will also provide clear and robust advice as to the strengths and weaknesses of their case. He is a calm and reassuring presence which is very much a strength when dealing with the , often, fraught and emotional family law cases that he is so experienced in dealing with.’

  • ‘Lucy Roberts is a star individual for child abduction/international children work. Leader in the field, very experienced and knowledgeable in this specialist area of family law.’

  • ‘Fiona Griffin is an excellent solicitor. She is extremely conscientious and has great attention to detail.’

  • ‘The firm is forward-thinking in its approach, offering a full spectrum of family law from public law proceedings through to mediation, arbitration, collaborative and Resolution Together.’

  • ‘Ian Walker has been innovative in his approach to expanding his business and making it efficient and meet the needs of his clients and employees/consultants. He has attracted to his business many experienced and skilled family lawyers.’

  • ‘The standard of work and client care is first class. They are all very knowledgeable and work very hard. They cut through the issues and manage client expectations very well. ’

  • ‘This is a knowledgeable, reliable and good-natured team in which clients can trust for sound advice.’

  • ‘Emma Perkins goes above and beyond for her clients. She is incredibly well prepared and child focused.’

Work highlights

  • Advised both husband and wife on resolving the financial matters arising from the breakdown of their relationship using the groundbreaking Resolution Together practice model, whereby one solicitor represents both of the couple.
  • Represented a wife in divorce proceedings involving substantial property and business assets, including within the European Union and Indonesia, and utilised a Private Financial Dispute Resolution Meeting to achieve a negotiated settlement.
  • Acted for a mother in an application under the 1980 Hague Convention for summary return of her son abducted to the UK from Singapore.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ian Walker, Fiona Griffin, Emma Perkins

Other key lawyers

Lucy Roberts, Paul Sykes