Q: What can you do for me?
Breaking up with your partner can be one of the most stressful and emotional experiences you can go through. I have over 30 years of experience working with divorcing and separating clients in the Manchester area and much further afield. I can give you legal advice and practical support to protect your interests and help you through the process. I will discuss all of the options and the different approaches to sorting out the consequences of the breakdown of your relationship, whether it be dealing with the finances (including the most complex situations involving businesses, pensions, trusts etc) or advising on the arrangements for the children and the importance of co-parenting wherever possible.
On a different note, I also have considerable expertise in dealing with pre-marital agreements.
Q: What makes you different from other divorce lawyers?
A: I am recognised as one of the leading family law specialists in Manchester, with a national and international reputation. I believe really strongly that the best outcomes for separating couples are those that are agreed between them and I always try my best to encourage negotiated settlements. However, some cases unfortunately do have to be dealt with through the courts, and I am known for my robust but fair and professional approach in those circumstances.
I am trained as a collaborative lawyer and am heavily involved in our Manchester collaborative group, Separation Solutions. I also one of only a couple of Manchester lawyers who are Fellows of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a worldwide group of family law experts. This means that I have the ability to deal with the increasing number of North West cases that have an international element.
Q: What do your clients say about you?
A: It is really rewarding to get positive feedback from my clients and to know that I have been able to help and support them at such a difficult time.
One Cheshire-based client said that she could not have got through everything without me. She said that I had "given her her life back".
Another client recently said that my advice and strategic thinking had achieved a result that could not have been improved upon and he ended his email by saying "thanks again #1”!
These kinds of comments make the job so worthwhile.
Q: What involvement do you have in the Manchester community?
A: Although I was born and went to school in Essex, I saw the light pretty quickly and came out to Manchester to do my law degree. I have lived in South Manchester ever since.
Professionally, I was chairman of the Manchester regional group of the leading family law group, Resolution, in the late 80s/early 90s and I remain involved with Resolution locally as well as being on its national committee.
I am a well known and well regarded member of the professional community in Manchester and Cheshire. Outside work, I play golf and tennis among other sports, at local clubs, albeit with varying degrees of success!
Q: What else should I know about you?
A: Through my work with Resolution, as well as on behalf of Mills & Reeve, I appear regularly on TV, radio and in newspapers and professional journals talking about family law issues, such as the campaign to introduce no-fault divorce, cohabitation law reform and alternatives to court such as mediation and collaborative law. This includes appearances on Kilroy, Richard & Judy, BBC News, Radios 4 and 5, Channel 4 News as well as being a regular contributor to the Heather Stott coffee club on BBC Radio Manchester.
I have written numerous articles on family law matters and present seminars to fellow lawyers and other professionals.
I am a recent convert to social media and you can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/topfamilylawyer.