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Two family law experts handle high-value matrimonial disputes at DFA Law, where an informal and hands-on approach is provided by pre-eminent matrimonial specialist Alan Kiddle and senior partner Mike Sanders. A thriving service for publicly funded work is also available.

Judith Speed at Freeth Cartwright LLP has a strong profile in the area, and is well established as an ‘outstanding’ practitioner in the area of division of assets and regarding contact orders for children in high-net-worth divorces. She has been joined in Derby by former Nelsons partner Diana Copestake, lending additional expertise in ancillary relief for those concerned to achieve a settlement using mediation.

Joining the top tier by dint of the complexity and value of its matrimonial work and the national reputation of Jane Cowley, Harvey Ingram LLP in Leicester frequently deals with cases involving offshore assets and agricultural settlements.

John Hooper & Co’s John Hooper ‘is willing to fight to the death’ for his privately funded clients. The practice, which also features the highly respected Tim Quincey and Russell Tolley, ‘cares passionately’ about obtaining the right results for its clients, often through the courts.

Rupert Bear Murray Davies ‘is the market leader in the East Midlands for ancillary relief’, according to one client. The ‘sensitive and competent’ Isobel England manages high-net-worth divorce, separation and children cases.

Fiona Lazenby at Flint Bishop Solicitors in 2008 received instructions from Sheffield- and London-based clients on matrimonial matters involving issues such as the division of company assets, farmland and discretionary trusts. The highly rated team also dealt with a high-profile case involving the removal of a child.

Whilst retaining one of the largest family departments in the East Midlands, Nelsons lost three of its key players during 2008, including childcare specialist Hilary Freeman. Nevertheless, the firm continues to undertake complex childcare cases nationally, and focuses on publicly funded work.

Peers enjoy working with the experienced Fiona Apthorp of Derby-based Robinsons. Her style is ‘constructive and non-confrontational’, ensuring that progress can be made on high-net-worth and publicly funded matrimonial matters.

Four partners specialising individually in divorce, financial settlements, pension transfer orders and children are on hand at Rothera Dowson, where redoubtable deputy district judge Christine Doughty has an outstanding reputation as a childcare specialist.

Nick Ingrey at Roythornes is ‘very highly regarded’ by peers and very experienced in relation to high-value claims arising out of marriage breakdown, with particular emphasis on the division of agricultural assets. Clients, not limited to the farming community, are drawn by his reputation for this and Inheritance Act claims.

Regarded as a ‘very safe pair of hands’, Michael Spencer at Actons assists clients on financial disputes arising on divorce, through trusts and estates, and on incapacity. He has recently achieved notable successes in high-value ancillary relief matters involving an expatriate client and a settlement on realisation of property when the divorce occurred 34 years earlier.

Shacklocks advises privately funded clients on the full range of matrimonial and civil partnership matters.

At Smith Partnership, Ruth Jones leads an expanding four-partner family group, while leading childcare solicitor advocate Muctar Johal leads a team for complex public childcare cases.

Jonathan Foster and Swati Somaiya at Spearing Waite bring a collaborative approach to matrimonial and children matters.

Alan Peck provides a ‘sympathetic and professional’ service at Tollers LLP.

Wilkin Chapman is the pre-eminent firm in North Lincolnshire, fielding four dedicated partners who are highly experienced in complex financial matters and children proceedings.

Wilson Browne’s seven partners have a childcare focus.

Woodford Robinson has a Legal Aid franchise for family law advice and also takes privately funded work.

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