The Legal 500

This London firm is recognized in the UK and internationally as a leader in family law. It has first clas expertise in cases involving children, including emergency protection and abduction, as well as separation and divorce, financial aspects of family law, adoption, surrogacy and domestic violence.

The firm: Co-founded by Peggy Ray in 1985, Goodman Ray has grown steadily over the years and now has a team of 16 lawyers, making it one of the largest family law departments in London. While the firm remains committed to publicly funded children work, in particular high-profile care proceedings which often run alongside equally high profile criminal proceedings, Goodman Ray is developing its matrimonial finance practice substantially. This includes advice and assistance for those proposing to marry or enter into civil partnerships or cohabitation. The firm is also expanding its international practice, including abduction.

Senior partners Peggy Ray and Gwen Williams successfully orchestrated the firm’s headquarters move from its former base Hackney to City premises in Old Street in July 2010. The move was driven by an increased volume of privately funded work from the City as a result of the firm’s Liverpool St presence and the increasing recognition of the practice as a leader in private client work. Over the past year the firm has seen its high-net-worth and international client base continue to grow and its profile in these markets gain increasing recognition.

Goodman Ray has long had a national reputation for its children work. Peggy Ray has been extensively involved in policy regarding legislation on the welfare of children.

The firm provides expert advice in all areas in a friendly and straightforward way, which enables clients to make well-informed decisions. It is known for its determination in promoting clients’ interests. Its experience allows it to take a family-centred view and to advise on how to avoid unnecessary and unhelpful conflict. In particular, the firm deals with cases sensitively and with the utmost discretion.

It provides specialists who speak Spanish, German, French, Russian, Italian and Mauritian/Creole. The practice has well established links with other law firms and support networks abroad.

Types of work undertaken: Goodman Ray has unrivalled experience in all areas of the law, including same sex couples, relating to children and a high success rate in court proceedings. Proceedings between parents regarding contact and residence are notable areas of expertise and the firm also represents children in such cases. Urgent, decisive action in response to emergencies can be carried out and experience is provided at all levels from family proceedings to the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Child protection and care cases, often arising from allegations of maltreatment or abuse, are a specialism including in complex medical issues, allegations of child abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse, child death or injury (for example shaken baby syndrome), causing a healthy child to undergo unnecessary medical attention, and regarding refugee cases.

Expertise in separation and divorce includes representation for those who are married, cohabiting or in a civil partnership, including the division of assets, both in the UK and overseas, and financial support for children. Advice is given on prenuptial agreements. Matters handled include financial orders before divorce, financial orders after divorce, securing and preserving matrimonial assets by way of injunctive relief, securing disclosure from a reluctant spouse and/or cohabitant, separation agreements, pensions implications and emergency actions.

All aspects of adoption are dealt with and domestic violence is a specialism. The firm has a developing profile in surrogacy and co-parenting.

Goodman Ray specialises in many aspects of family law with an international element including child abduction, including ‘Hague Convention’ abductions and abductions involving countries which have not signed the convention, forced marriage, international relocation and custody disputes, and international adoption.

Other offices: Liverpool Street, London

Number of UK partners 5
Number of other UK fee-earners 18