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Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP’s ‘practitioners have a sensible, sympathetic, supportive approach’ towards clients, who range from wealthy individuals to those dependent on state benefits. The group was strengthened by the hire of senior associate Elisabeth Howe from Challinors Solicitors, who, alongside Elizabeth Wyatt, is ‘very good for ancillary relief’.

Niche family law practice Benussi & Co largely focuses on ancillary relief work, and successfully represented Helen Kingdon in a case that established that where an order for ancillary relief is set aside because of nondisclosure by one of the parties, it does not require the entire award to be reassessed. Diane Benussi is recommended.

Blair Allison’s highly rated family practice is noted in particular for its stellar finance work. The firm acts for a number of celebrities in the entertainment and sports industries. Mari Meisel, Rayner Grice and Grant Bird are highly recommended.

At Challinors Solicitors, ‘the level of service exceeds expectations’. The ‘personable, prompt and efficient’ Fiona O’Sullivan is noted for her expertise in the pensions aspects of financial settlements. The group includes a strong children’s team in the firm’s West Bromwich office.

Divorce and Family Law Practice is ‘a very strong firm’, and ‘one of the true leaders in family law in Birmingham’. The firm handles cases under the Children Act, and is noted for its ancillary relief work. Beverley Morris and Joan Price are recommended.

Irwin Mitchell LLP’s team is ‘alive to the changing face of the ancillary relief landscape’. Nicola Walker is ‘a star – an experienced, calm, and safe practitioner, who has a good eye for the final outcome’. ‘The fees are high, but they tend to produce results that justify those fees.’

At Mills & Reeve LLP, ‘response times are immediate’ and ‘advice is targeted at the client’s needs’. The firm has six trained collaborative lawyers and a children’s law specialist in associate Helen Bowns. Marc Saunderson leaves clients ‘feeling they have the right person on their side’.

Harvey Ingram LLP established a family team in Birmingham with the hire of Andrew Breakwell and his team from Clarke Willmott LLP. The team largely handles £1m-plus cases.

Martineau’s ‘service is exemplary; advice is balanced, accurate, and appropriate’. Mary Kaye is ‘exceptional’, and has built an outstanding team with the recruitment of the ‘prompt, efficient, knowledgeable and informed’ Zahra Pabani and assistant solicitor Fiona Farrell, from Shakespeare Putsman.

Shakespeares ‘provides a prompt, methodical and economic service to clients’. Kevin Harris-James and assistant Emma Gibson are ‘highly competent, dedicated solicitors’, and Christine McVay, who joined from Barcan Woodward Solicitors, rates as an ‘efficient and careful lawyer who develops creative solutions’.

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