Emma Collins > Weightmans LLP > Manchester, England > Lawyer Profile

The 2022 merger with RadcliffesLeBrasseur has strengthened Weightmans LLP‘s private client offering, making it a ‘go-to’ firm in the North West. Advising on the full range of family matters with close collaboration with the tax, trusts and probate, and international private wealth team, the group show notable expertise in financial remedy, surrogacy law, and digital and crypto currency cases. The department is spearheaded by the ‘outstanding’ Emma Collins, whose broad practice features areas of particular strength such as nuptial agreements and pension structures. Beyond her work as deputy district judge, Carole Atkinson is highly revered in the market for her excellence in on-shore and off-shore trust mandates, while Fiona Turner is ’emotionally intelligent’ during complex divorce and matrimonial finance cases, especially when they include business and cross-border assets. Fiona Davidson is principally noted for her acumen in children law, a growing area of the firm’s offering that has resulted in activity in highly sensitive child relocation cases. Rachel Lim continues to advise on a broad range of practice matters.

Weightmans LLP’s family offering in Leeds is led by the Manchester-based Emma Collins. The team has particular experience regarding pre- and post-nuptial agreements, financial remedies involving inherited wealth, and digital / crypto assets. It also has notable expertise regarding children work, including international abduction cases. Antony Ball leads the firm’s national mediation practice and Lucy Phipps joined the team in November 2022 from Harrowells Solicitors.

Headed by Manchester-based Emma Collins, Weightmans LLP has ‘a very impressive family law team, now much stronger by reason of the merger of Weightmans and RadcliffeLeBrasseur.’ In London, Caroline Penfold advises on all aspects of private family law, from pre and post-nuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements, to complicated financial and property cases involving substantial assets in an international context. Other primary areas of expertise include advising on disputes over children, domestic violence and emergency injunctions. Carina Smith has a diverse practice and a particular interest in cases with an international dimension.

Manchester-based Emma Collins , heads the department at Weightmans LLP that is praised for ‘its attention to detail‘. In Birmingham, Tania Derrett-Smith’s areas of practice include divorce, pre and post nuptial agreements and advising on arrangements for children. She has considerable experience in cases involving family businesses, properties in the UK and overseas as well cases involving complex pensions issues. Associate, Rupa Parekh, specialises in financial matters arising from separation and divorce. Fiona O’Sullivan has now retired.