Family Law

Your Direct Access Family Law Specialists

Family law deals with family relationships, children and domestic matters – issues that are often deeply personal and life-changing. Our family law barristers provide specialist support for both individuals and families. We offer legal services across a range of family proceedings, from children matters to matrimonial finance.

We recognise the sensitive and high-stakes nature of family cases, given their impact on family relationships and children. To support our clients with the emotional and financial challenges involved, we offer cost-effective and tailored services such as flexible appointment times (including evenings and weekends) and virtual meetings. We represent clients in Milton Keynes, Northampton, Bedford, Luton, London, Birmingham, and across the UK.

You can instruct us on a direct access basis without needing to go through a solicitor first, saving you both time and money. This model also means that our family law services are broad. We can provide advice and support on case preparation, such as drafting Form Es (financial disclosure documents) and Scott Schedules (a document detailing domestic abuse allegations). Additionally, we can represent clients at the family court, including at appellate hearings should you wish to appeal a decision. Find out more about our direct access offering here.

Our family barristers also have experience in immigration law, providing nuanced insight into matters where these areas overlap. For example, we can support parents who seek permission to stay (leave to remain) in the UK based on their child residing here.

The Family Court Process

• Step 1
  Initial Consultation
  We can review your situation and assess the strength of your case. We also explain the process and timelines of family proceedings, including potential outcomes. At this early stage, we also identify any urgent issues so that, if needed, we can help clients to obtain urgent legal protections such as Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders.
• Step 2
  Case Review & Strategy
  If your case proceeds to a hearing, we can review your documents and prepare a tailored strategy based on the most probable outcomes and risks. This stage will also include drafting documents such as position statements and skeleton arguments, as well as preparing evidence bundles. We can also provide support with non-court meetings, such as alternative dispute resolution (ADR) hearings for financial remedy cases, or Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs) for child contact cases.
• Step 3
  Family Court Representation
  Our experienced family advocates can represent clients at the full range of hearings, including case management hearings, dispute resolution appointments, fact-finding hearings, final hearings, and appeals. At the hearing, both sides present their evidence, including witness evidence. Each party’s barrister conducts examination-in-chief of their own witnesses and cross-examines those of the other side. The barristers then make legal submissions (‘speeches’) to the judge, who will then make a decision either on that day or a future date.
• Step 4
  Post-Hearing Support
  Following a hearing, we can support with the next steps such as the enforcement of and compliance with any court orders, for example child contact orders or financial remedy orders. We can also advise on working with statutory or independent bodies, such as CAFCASS, who may provide safeguarding recommendations within children matters. If a client disagrees with the decision made by the family court, they may appeal this on the grounds of it being legally or procedurally flawed. Our barristers can provide support and representation at this stage.