Matrimonial and Family
We specialize in all matters arising from the breakdown of relationships between married, unmarried and same sex couples. This includes divorce, judicial separation proceedings, disolution of civil partnerships, complex children matters and negotiating financial settlements.
Your case will be handled personally throughout by partner Jane Gale, a solicitor with over 20 years post qualified experience in family law.
Jane is a member of Resolution (previously known as the Solicitors Family Law Association). This is a specialist organisation which commits lawyers to resolving disputes in a non confrontational way. We support these aims and try to deal with disputes constructively so as to preserve dignity and encourage agreement.
Recognising that any dispute within a personal relationship creates anxiety, we do all we can to make a visit to our office as painless as possible. Whilst we can do little about the advice we give, which is based upon the law and the evidence, we can try to reduce tension and distress by creating a welcoming atmosphere. You will not wait in a communal area, but will be taken immediately to a private consulting room.
At your first appointment we will provide clear information about our billing policy and the likely costs of your case. We will agree a way for you to pay your legal fees tailored to your individual needs. This can involve arranging for you to have a free “financial health check” at our offices with a financial advisor.
Jane has built up a particular expertise in negotiating financial settlements. This enables us to advise you at an early stage on the most likely outcome of your case in the event of contested proceedings. This enables you to put forward sensible and constructive proposals with a view to settling your case quickly. This will assist you and your spouse to keep legal fees to a minimum and preserve the assets for your benefit and of any children, rather than squandering those assets on bitter and expensive courtroom battles. Whilst we always encourage a constructive and conciliatory approach, in the event that your former partner does not respond to this, we have the determination to make strong applications to the Court.
We ensure our departments work closely together so that all clients receive a comprehensive service. We have a specialist probate team who can advise on tax planning and wills. The expertise of both our civil and family solicitors are combined when dealing with special issues raised by cases including unmarried couples.
Our Family Solicitor
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| Jane Gale |
Your first appointment with us
We recognise that you may not have decided how far you wish to take things, and may simply want some initial advice on your options. Your first appointment will last approximately 45 minutes - 1 hour during which we will explain how you stand in law and provide advice on any immediate steps you should take to protect your position. The first appointment is offered at a reduced rate of £100 per hour plus vat and we will provide you with information about the costs of any further work which may be required and agree with you the best way to fund your legal fees.
Legal Aid
Due to changes in legal aid we took the decision not to take on any further family Legal Aid cases after 12 November 2010. We made this business decision because we wish to provide a quality service to our clients tailored to each individual client’s specific needs and on the basis that work is handled throughout by a fully qualified solicitor. We could only make a profit out of undertaking legal aid work by using junior and unqualified staff to deal with matters in very high volume and this is not the type of service which we wish to provide to our clients.
Furthermore legal aid in financial claims often only operates as a loan as in many cases you must repay to the Legal Services Commission the value of the legal work out of any settlement you finally receive. Also unless you are at income support level, then even if you qualify for a legal aid certificate, the Legal Services Commission may require you to pay towards your legal costs during your case. Legal aid is not necessarily free.
For all these reasons we no longer offer legal aid but we will explore the best way that you can budget to cover your legal costs. This can include paying an amount you can afford by monthly standing order pending receipt by you of a final settlement which can be used to pay our costs. We can also arrange for you to have a free appointment with a financial advisor to explore the best way for you to reorder your changed finances and cover legal fees.
Information Sheets
| Title | Date |
| New Scheme For Child Maintenance Proposed | 27/02/2012 |
| Importance of Cohabitation Agreements | 19/12/2011 |
| Final Report of the Norgrove Review of Family Justice Published 3rd November 2011 | 21/11/2011 |
| Intervention on Medical Treatment | 09/05/2011 |
| Court of Protection - Further Information | 09/05/2011 |
| Court of Protection Complaints | 09/05/2011 |
| Law Commission Pre-Nuptial Agreement Consultation | 23/01/2011 |
| Pre-Nuptial Agreements legally binding? | 08/11/2010 |
| Sperm Samples | 22/06/2010 |