Walker Family Law > Exeter, England > Firm Profile
Walker Family Law Offices
Vantage Point, Pynes Hill
Devon
EX2 5FD
England
Walker Family Law > The Legal 500 Rankings
Private client > Family Tier 3
Praised as a ‘strong boutique firm with a strong reputation for expertise in the sector’, Walker Family Law handles an array of family law matters pertaining to child law, divorce and relationships and mediation. The practice is jointly chaired by Ian Walker, who serves as managing director, as well as Fiona Griffin and Emma Perkins. Griffin heads the divorce and relationships team, while Perkins’ clients regard her as ‘a first-rate solicitor at the top of her game in both private and public law children act cases.’Practice head(s):
Ian Walker; Fiona Griffin; Emma Perkins; Ian Walker
Other key lawyers:
Kim Stradling; Paul Sykes; Lucy Roberts
Testimonials
‘Emma Perkins is exceptionally knowledgeable and skilled. She is a first-rate solicitor at the top of her game in both private and public law children act cases.’
‘The team is incredibly hard working and involved in highly complex public law cases. Nothing is ever too much to ask for clients. The solicitors I work with are able to form a close working team through all aspects of a case from start to finish. Their approach is flexible and adaptable.’
‘Paul Sykes is a very experienced and knowledgable solicitor. He gives 100% to all of his cases and is on top of the finest of details. Paul has a wonderful ability to put clients at ease and take complex material and explain it in an effective way so clients can understand and retain the information.’
‘Ian Walker Family Law provides an excellent service to its clients. Prompt, informed and sound advice.’
‘Paul Sykes is a an excellent solicitor. He has high quality complex work and is always well versed in the facts and issues in a case despite its complexity. He instructed me on a very complex matter at short notice because instructed Counsel was unavailable. I was able to pick it up and run with the case because of Paul’s excellent grip on the it.’
‘Lucy Roberts is excellent. Very experienced in international abduction work. A fighter for her clients and her case. Great judgment. Lovely person.’
‘Strong boutique firm with a strong reputation for expertise in the sector. The team really are client centric and build very strong and trusted client relationships.’
‘Kim Stradling – in my view – is an outstanding solicitor. Her work is excellent, she is always on the ball chasing parties when evidence is late. Her advice is well thought out and sensitive to the persons involved and she is extremely efficient.’
Work highlights
- Represented a client (wife) in a cross-border case where husband was a medical practitioner with complex financial arrangements.
- Represented a father in difficult and complex care proceedings in the High Court concerning the couple’s four children.
- Acted for UK-based husband who was primary carer for parties’ children in contentious divorce finances case where wife is based in UAE.
Walker Family Law > Firm Profile
Walker Family Law (previously; Ian Walker Family Law and Mediation Solicitors) are a leading progressive solicitor’s practice which specialises in all aspects of family law. The firm is also a mediation service.
We are committed to putting the values of Resolution in to practice. For example we are one of the first firms nationally to offer Resolution Together, where one solicitor represents both clients in an amicable divorce.
We offer the full range of progressive family dispute resolution options including; collaborative family law, family mediation, arbitration and principled negotiation/litigation.
The practice was founded by Ian Walker in 2013. Ian’s track record includes being chair of the Devon region of Resolution for 12 years. Ian is also a past member of the Law Society Family Law Committee, and being a former trustee of the Family Mediators Association. Ian was amongst the first family mediators trained by Resolution (in 1996); and was a founder member of the Resolution/IFLA Child Law Arbitration Scheme.
The practice is also committed to providing outstanding client care. Recent innovations include offering a Client Service Guarantee and the Divorce Support Club. The Divorce Support Club is a free service to ongoing clients – who can participate in a monthly webinar with an experienced divorce coach.
We represent clients across the South West, nationally and internationally.
Our awards include; Resolution Awards Winners 2023, Law Society Excellence Awards Winners 2021, Modern Law Awards Winners 2020, Devon and Somerset Law Society winners 2023 and 2021.
Fiona Griffin – divorce specialist, collaborative lawyer and Resolution Together specialist. Fiona is the Leader of our Divorce Team.
Emma Perkins – child law specialist and Children Panel member. Emma was previously with Foot Anstey. Emma is the head of the Child Law Team.
Lauren Preedy – divorce specialist, collaborative lawyer and Resolution Together specialist. Lauren is Chair of Somerset Region Resolution.
Bridget Garrood – divorce and cohabitation specialist and leading LGBT+ specialist (and member of the Law Society Diversity Committee) (and past chair of the Devon Region of Resolution).
Kim Stradling – leading south-west child law specialist and Children Panel Member.
Paul Sykes – leading south-west child law specialist and Children Panel Member.
Lucy Roberts – child abduction law specialist and member of ICACU Panel.
The team includes 20 specialist family lawyers with plans in place for this number to rise further through hires in the pipeline.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managing Director | Ian Walker | ianwalker@familylawandmediation.co.uk | 03339390188 |
| Head of Divorce and Relationships Team | Fiona Griffin | fionagriffin@familylawandmediation.co.uk | 03339390188 |
| Head of Children Law Team | Emma Perkins | emmaperkins@familylawandmediation.co.uk | 03339390188 |
| Head of Family Mediation | Ian Walker | ianwalker@familylawandmediation.co.uk | 03339390188 |
Staff Figures
Family Lawyers : 20 Trainee Solicitors : 2 Overall team : 35+Languages
English Spanish FrenchMemberships
Resolution Law Society Children Panel Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Law Society Family Law Accreditation Law Society Family Mediation Panel Accreditation Family Mediation Council AccreditationClient Testimonials
CLIENT: C
COMPANY/FIRM: Ian Walker Family Law and Mediation Solicitors
TESTIMONIAL: Having Lev deal with my Financial Consent Order allowed me to have peace of mind throughout the process. Lev was very informative, knowledgeable and his advice was absolutely the right course of action for me to take. ‘Solicitor/client’ relationship aside, Lev addressed my situation with compassion and empathy which gave me confidence throughout the process. Going forward, I would absolutely recommend Ian Walker Solicitors to anyone.
CLIENT: M
COMPANY/FIRM: Ian Walker Family Law and Mediation Solicitors
TESTIMONIAL: The support I received from Fiona was both timely and reassuring in every respect. With every twist and turn I felt in the safest hands possible and can only commend the clear and measured legal advice and guidance I was provided with in the highest possible terms.
CLIENT: R
COMPANY/FIRM: Ian Walker Family Law and Mediation Solicitors
TESTIMONIAL: I found Ian Walker Solicitors lived up to and exceeded their reputation for efficient, compassionate, and experienced legal representation. They were upfront and realistic about timeframes and costs, they managed expectations well, and they kept me informed all the way through. I found Lauren to be professional, but also very understanding of and empathetic to the challenges divorce places on those going through it. The wealth of experience Lauren brought to bear was invaluable. Not only did it result in concluding matters in a collaborative, amicable, and ultimately fair manner but, it helped overcome my own diffidence and natural inclination to end matters too quickly. There was no unnecessary and costly work carried out, and they were always quick to answer the phone or reply to an email. I cannot thank them enough, nor recommend them more highly to others looking for a solicitor to help them navigate through a divorce.
CLIENT: B
COMPANY/FIRM: Ian Walker Family Law and Mediation Solicitors
TESTIMONIAL: I am more than happy to provide a review and feedback for Nicole Phare and her legal team. Nicole was extremely supportive and helpful throughout what was a difficult and stressful process. She went above and beyond expectation to support me and was always available and contactable for advice. Anything I didn’t understand was always fully explained. Nothing was too much trouble. Nicole Phare and her team were always respectful, professional and patient during a very difficult situation, providing a first class and personalised service.
CLIENT: M
COMPANY/FIRM: Ian Walker Family Law and Mediation Solicitors
TESTIMONIAL: When I first spoke to Lauren on the phone she told me she did not accept that I should walk away with nothing. She then guided me carefully through the process until I walked away with a six-figure settlement. She called me when she was worried about my well-being – I had been triggered by my daughter’s unhappiness – and she sent emails in advance of my receiving the decree absolute, warning me that this was often a challenging time. All in all, this has been a hugely painful experience. Yet I leave it with the best result I could have hoped for. I will be recommending this firm to others just as my friend did to me. Thank you to Lauren and her colleagues for their guidance throughout.
CLIENT: C
COMPANY/FIRM: Ian Walker Family Law and Mediation Solicitors
TESTIMONIAL: Thank you for the excellent support provided by your firm in my recent separation and divorce – in particular, the work undertaken by Fiona Griffin. I found the whole process somewhat traumatic, particularly given the very aggressive approach taken by the other side, and Fiona guided me through the legal steps clearly and calmly, and gave me excellent advice on how to handle the situations I found myself in. I am pleased with the fair outcomes of the childcare and financial settlements. Thank you, as well, for resolving the initial difficulties around the handling of my case. Good luck in your future work.
Diversity
Our firm is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and equal opportunities within all stages of our employment and woven into our company values and beliefs.
Over the last 10 years we have created a diverse culture and know that the best skills and attributes come from a wide variety of backgrounds. We encourage a collaborative working environment and provide everyone with the opportunity to play to their strengths and gain new talents whilst working in a culture which fosters cooperation and teamwork.
Regardless of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, religion, age, ethnic or national origins or political opinions, we aspire to treat everyone as equals and are dedicated to treating all our employees and job applicants alike.
Ensuring that all our team feel valued, respected, and heard is at the forefront of our working practices. We work closely with everyone to ensure that they have the chance to contribute, and we celebrate their inclusion and success.
We aim to promote and value diversity and are enthusiastic in our strive for equality for our entire team.
Our team and clients come from all walks of life, and we hope to attain a workforce that is representative of the communities from which it is drawn.
Our principles of equality and diversity also apply to the way we treat clients, our business partners, and visitors.
To thrive over the next 10 years and beyond, we will continue to empower our team to speak openly, take bold steps, support others, be kind and try new things. Because together, we strive to be better and help one another, and the more we do that, the more we all grow.
- Private client > Family