Stowe Family Law LLP > Newcastle, England > Firm Profile

Stowe Family Law LLP
Clavering House
1 Clavering Pl
Newcastle upon Tyne
England

Private client > Family: Leeds, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire Tier 2

Stowe Family Law LLP operate out of 10 locations across Yorkshire, headed by Julian Hawkhead, Rachel Roberts and Sarah Barr-Young in Leeds, and Chris Birch in Beverley and nationally, the firm has over 60 offices. The team conducts a range of family law work, from complex financial remedy work to contentious children cases. It has experience of working on cases involving abuse, parental alienation, narcissism and complex Children Act issues. Clients benefit from access to the firm’s in-house forensic accountancy team.

Practice head(s):

Julian Hawkhead; Rachel Roberts; Chris Birch; Sarah Barr-Young

Other key lawyers:

Angela Sussens; Kate Sarsfield; Debbie Heald; Shanika Varga; Katie Kilburn; Hannah Ross

Testimonials

‘Angela Sussens and Kate Sarsfield are highly skilled practitioners with thorough knowledge and sensitivity.’

‘The team at Stowe are incredibly professional and apply a “can do” attitude to problem solving.’

‘Angela Sussens is a consummate professional who cares deeply about the wellbeing and aims of her clients.’

‘Stowe have a broad team with specialisms throughout it. Everyone practises to a high level.’

‘They are responsive and are really interested in the detail of the matter at hand – they don’t leave anything to chance. This grasp of the detail is what sets their key people apart.’

‘I have worked on matters with Rachel Roberts and Angela Sussens this last year, and both have been all over the detail of the matters.’

‘Nothing is left to chance. Rachel Roberts is particularly commercial, and able to take a step back in order to reach a good deal in the client’s favour, particularly where an issue becomes bogged down. Angela is able to spot issues you hadn’t thought of, which is invaluable.’

‘A solid team.’

Work highlights

Private client > Family Tier 2

Stowe Family Law LLP has a strong regional presence, with offices Bristol, Bath, Cheltenham, Exeter and Swindon. The team regularly advice wealthy individuals on an array of family issues; their expertise extends to complex cases, advising on matters pertaining to emotional and psychological abuse, parental alienation, narcissism and coercive control. The team is led by Louise Chipchase who is widely regarded for her expertise in complex high-net-worth financial remedies cases. Jemma Slavin is the Regional Director for the Midlands, Southwest and Wales, noted for her technical expertise and experience in complex financial disputes.  

Practice head(s):

Louise Chipchase

Other key lawyers:

Jemma Slavin; Joanna Newton; Amy Langford; Rachel Fisher; Zoe Carter; Georgina Nelson

Testimonials

‘Excellent client focus. Providing forensic and pragmatic advice.’

‘Rachel Fisher is very sensible, with good judgment and knowledge.’

‘The team works fearlessly to achieve results for their clients.’

‘Amy Langford is a standout member of the team who provides clients with a sound understanding of the litigation process and practical and realistic advice. She is always well prepared and achieves the best for her clients.’

‘Each solicitor I have worked with from the team has been exceptional. If a particular solicitor is unable to answer a query, another member of the time will know the answer. The documentation and paperwork is prepared to the highest standard. The approach is always sensible, child-focused but robust and genuinely focuses on reaching a good outcome for the client and the child.’

‘Zoe Carter: I wish I could clone Zoe and have her instruct me on every case. She works tirelessly on every single case she instructs me on. Her statements are exceptional and have often made all the difference.’

‘Katy Jordan has excellent client care skills. She is supportive and sensible and guides her clients clearly through the process. Zoe Carter has the best interest of the client at the core of her work.’

‘An extremely reputable firm in the field of private law children work, with a strong team of skillful solicitors.’

Work highlights

Private client > Family: Birmingham Tier 2

With Rebecca Calden-Storr at the helm at Stowe Family Law LLP, the team is well-regarded for its work with wealthy individuals who have a variety of complex assets, businesses, trusts and properties that are held in the UK and internationally. Calden-Storr also has a particular focus on cases where there are elements of emotional/psychological abuse, parental alienation, narcissism and coercive control. The group garners praise for its work on complicated children matters too. Other core areas of expertise include advising on civil partnerships as well as same-sex and cohabiting couples.

Practice head(s):

Rebecca Calden-Storr

Other key lawyers:

Hannah Stubbs; Claire Cleary; Sara Morton

Testimonials

‘Rebecca Calden-Storr and Hannah Stubbs are a truly excellent duo’.

Rebecca Calden-Storr- extremely good, very good with clients, unflappable. Hannah Stubbs- one to watch. Extremely knowledgeable in the area and highly organised. Excellent‘.

‘Rebecca Caulden-Storr has recruited wisely to strengthen her dynamic team further. She has a fantastic manner with High net worth clients, knows what they want and works hard to deliver, Hannah Stubbs – bright and diligent’.

‘Rebecca Calden Storr and Claire Cleary for me have made the practice unique. They are  responsive, informative, calm and understanding . They both represented me with precision and knowledge’.

‘Stowe Family Law is a well-regarded national firm with a strong regional presence in and around Birmingham, providing high quality advice and representation in complex and high value financial remedy cases’.

‘Rebecca Calden-Storr and Claire Cleary work closely, and very effectively, together to provide exceptional standards of service and client care in the trickiest of cases, and are highly recommended‘.

They have a singular reputation in high net worth and complex financial remedy cases. Clare Cleary is in her element dealing with complex and high net worth family finance cases. She always strives for the best for her clients whilst giving realistic advice, managing client expectations’.

‘Sara Morton has a relaxed and reassuring manner with clients, easily putting them at ease and forming excellent working relationships‘.

Private client > Family Tier 3

A firm with a truly national presence, Stowe Family Law LLP‘s regional offering includes eleven offices covering areas such as Chester, Crewe, Wigan and Preston. A ‘friendly and professional’ team, the group deal with the full range of pre-marriage, divorce, post-separation and cohabitation related issues, as well as being proficient at complex child and family law act issues. Altrincham-head Helen Miller is a go-to for multi-layered financial remedy matters, as well as child relocation cases with cross-border components. Gareth Curtis leads the Manchester team and advises high-profile and high-net worth individuals on trusts and corporate structure negotiations, while also demonstrating notable expertise in Schedule 1 Child Act proceedings. Third team head and operating out of Liverpool, the highly recommended Matthew Taylor has a broad practice that has a particular focus on TOLATA disputes and cohabitee disagreements.

Practice head(s):

Helen Miller; Gareth Curtis; Matthew Taylor

Testimonials

‘I have found all my dealings with the Stowe team friendly, professional and nurturing (at a time when I most needed legal advice about a challenging situation).’

‘Helen Miller in particular is incredibly knowledgeable, approachable and compassionate in her approach, which was much appreciated.’

‘Brilliant, compassionate, knowledgeable and effective

The Stowe Family Law team in Liverpool went above and beyond to help me through a stressful time for me. They were kind and absolutely brilliant in everything. How they planned the strategy, the team (barrister), the experts we needed (psychologists etc) so we stayed on top of things and also in the most time efficient manner.’

‘I can’t recommend and thank Matthew Taylor and the team highly enough – they were and still are the light in one of the darkest times in my life.

‘From the first initial contact with Matthew Taylor, I felt for the first time that someone was on my side and really wanted to help me. But more importantly, that finally someone ‘got me’ and knew a way out’. 

 

Work highlights

Private client > Family: Essex Tier 3

Private client > Family: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Tier 3

The ‘group of excellent lawyers’ at specialist family firm Stowe Family Law LLP, which operates across 21 bases including Esher, Tunbridge Wells, Guildford, Brighton, Reigate and Sevenoaks, has a diverse caseload across complex child law and finance matters. Led by Emma Newman, who is proficient in financial remedy matters involving foreign assets and complex pensions and child disputes spanning domestic abuse, safeguarding and relocation issues, the team also fields an in-house forensic accountancy team. Niamh McCarthy ‘delivers quality advice’ and ‘obtains exceptional results’ in financial, children and cohabitee matters concerning TOLATA.

Practice head(s):

Emma Newman

Other key lawyers:

Niamh McCarthy; Gemma Thew; Gemma Artus; Nicola Beasley

Testimonials

‘The team are empathetic and understanding but ensure that clients remain properly informed as to the likely prospects of success of their case. The whole team are hardworking and affable. I regularly recommend Stowe when asked for recommendations for reputable local Family firms.’

‘I think Emma Newman is very good indeed.’

‘A great team with good lawyers including Emma Newman and Niamh McCarthy.’

‘One of the friendliest teams I have come across. A group of excellent lawyers striving for the best for their clients.’

‘Nicola Beasley is an asset to Stowe and her capabilities far exceed her level of relative experience. She is able to hold her own against partners of other firms. Her correspondence is always measured yet sufficiently robust and detailed. Her attention to detail is particularly impressive.’

‘Niamh McCarthy not only works tirelessly for her clients but obtains exceptional results.’

‘They are a strong team with a number of very good individual solicitors. Gemma Artus has an exceptional bedside manner. Clients would follow her anywhere. She will ensure that people are well supported throughout. Niamh McCarthy is incredibly clever. She has strong skills in alternative dispute resolution and ensures that court is the last resort not the first.’

‘The practice solely focuses on family law, so instructing Stowe will ensure you receive advice from a specialist family lawyer. A great level of skill and knowledge is shown via correspondence and the day to day running of the case.’

Private client > Family: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 Tier 3

Stowe Family Law LLP sees a varied caseload that covers complex Children Act matters, alongside high-net worth individuals and all aspects of matrimonial work, including Islamic divorce and fertility law. Amanda Phillips-Wylds heads up the Thames Valley offering, focusing on financial disputes in divorce proceedings. Mediator and collaborative Gemma Davison is another name to note, excelling on challenging mandates covering children, high net-worth divorces, alongside surrogacy and fertility law matters.

Practice head(s):

Amanda Phillips-Wylds

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘A very large team of many highly experienced solicitors in both children and finances all over the country.’

‘Gemma Davison is excellent with clients and has a thorough knowledge of the law and practicalities of the matter, offering clients a rolls royce of a service.’

‘Stowe Family Law have rapidly grown and are well recognised and respected within family law. To complement the firm’s reputation, practitioners are knowledgeable.’

‘A well-regarded team which puts clients needs first and strives to explain the process fully to avoid confusion or unexpected occurrences.’

‘Gemma Davison is approachable and effective. She is sensible and gives practical advice. I would always recommend her.’

‘This is an exclusive family law firm with expert family lawyers covering all family law issues including niche areas eg. surrogacy. They are accessible and professional in their dealing with other solicitors. They have a strong mediation presence and work with clients and other professionals in a friendly and professional manner.’

‘Gemma Davison is a dynamic and passionate family law solicitor and an empathetic and excellent family mediator. She is down to earth and realistic in her advice and assistance to clients, listening to their needs and working out in mediation realistic outcomes. Gemma is also an expert in surrogacy.’

‘Amanda Phillips-Wylds runs the team with great skill. What she doesnt know about family law isn’t worth knowing. She is unflappable in even the most pressured situation. Solution driven, Amanda is always eager to reach a negotiated settlement for her clients if possible. However, she’ll never shy away from a fight in court if it’s needed.’

Work highlights

Private client > Family Tier 3

National family law specialists Stowe Family Law LLP‘s nascent Cardiff offering has quickly gained traction in the market, particularly for South Wales-based high-net-worth individuals. The scope of the work is wide, from children matters and pre-nuptial agreements, through to financial issues consequent upon divorce cohabitation disputes. The ‘friendly and helpful’ team notably includes ‘empathetic yet firm’ senior associate Lauren Roche. Former practice head Victoria Cannon left the firm in November 2023.

Practice head(s):

Victoria Cannon

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Lauren Roche is a very capable lawyer. She has an empathetic yet firm approach to clients.’

Work highlights

Private client > Family Tier 4

Stowe Family Law LLP recently made an entrance in the North with offices in Durham and Newcastle and a strong offering involving emotional and psychological abuse, coercive control, and complex Children Act matters. The team led by Nicky Hunter and including Sarah Crilly, is frequently called upon to advise on nuptial agreements, civil partnerships, and legal advice for same-sex and cohabiting couples. They also provide a collaborative law practice and an in-house ADR offering.

Practice head(s):

Nicky Hunter

Other key lawyers:

Sarah Crilly; David Allen; Hollie Morgan

Testimonials

‘This is the only family law firm in Newcastle with a national presence, and can therefore draw on expertise and experience from a very wide range of cases.’ 

‘Being a firm specialised in family law, the team can solve cases (unusual divorce problems for instance) which a general law firm might find it more difficult to do.’

‘The family team at Stowe is highly motivated and energetic in their approach. They have a real focus on building relationships with clients and resolving disputes in an amicable and constructive way, where possible.’

‘Hollie Morgan is a stellar solicitor with a calm and friendly approach to her cases. She is extremely organised and has a high technical ability both advising and in advocacy. She specialises in all areas of family law and has experience with complex high value financial matters.’

‘David Allen is a real rising star. His approach is always calm, considered and empathetic. His advice is clear and wide-ranging – he really considers a case from all angles and strives to plan for every eventuality. He is determined and unflappable. His knowledge of the law is impressive. It is always a real pleasure working with him.’

Private client > Family Tier 6

The ‘consummate professionalPhoebe Turner heads the family law practice at Stowe Family Law LLP. It is adept at supporting high-net-worth individuals and is known for its varied caseload involving emotional and psychological abuse cases, as well as complex Children Act matters. Sadie Glover, who joined the team from B P Collins LLP in November 2022, is another key contact. The group also regularly advises on nuptial and separation agreements, as well as advising same-sex couples on a diverse range of matters. Estella Newbold Brown left the firm in October 2022, and is now at Amphlett Lissimore.

Practice head(s):

Phoebe Turner

Other key lawyers:

Sadie Glover; Ciara Pugh; Alice Brett; Phoebe Hill

Testimonials

‘Stowe Family Law are knowledgeable and provide excellent client service, which ensures the best experience of the Family Court for those going through extremely challenging times.’

‘Phoebe Hill is excellent.’

‘The team at Stowe Family Law are fantastic to work with. Briefs are detailed and clients’ expectations are realistic.’

‘Sadie Glover is hard-working, conscientious and completely focussed on delivering for her clients. She is a formidable force with excellent judgement and instincts.’

‘Good team work amongst the London team. Good availability. Willing to engage well in creative thinking to help a client in new or novel ways, depending on their specific situations.’

‘Ciara Pugh is fantastic. She’s a complete pleasure to work with and I am always willing to take on work from her because it will be well prepared. She is a team player, whip smart, and has a level of insight well beyond her experience.’

‘Stowe Family Law are a great addition to any high street when it comes to local family law. Ciara Pugh is an excellent family law solicitor and communicator. Her correspondence is good and she is respected by her fellow professionals.’

‘I would recommend Stowe Family Law for financial remedies and Schedule 1 disputes. The team has a number of well-prepared, thorough and experienced family solicitors. They are a safe pair of hands, have great client skills and get brilliant results.’

Private client > Family: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx

Private client > Family

North > Private client > Family Tier 4

Stowe Family Law LLP recently made an entrance in the North with offices in Durham and Newcastle and a strong offering involving emotional and psychological abuse, coercive control, and complex Children Act matters. The team led by Nicky Hunter and including Sarah Crilly, is frequently called upon to advise on nuptial agreements, civil partnerships, and legal advice for same-sex and cohabiting couples. They also provide a collaborative law practice and an in-house ADR offering.

Practice head(s):

Nicky Hunter

Other key lawyers:

Sarah Crilly; David Allen; Hollie Morgan

Testimonials

‘This is the only family law firm in Newcastle with a national presence, and can therefore draw on expertise and experience from a very wide range of cases.’ 

‘Being a firm specialised in family law, the team can solve cases (unusual divorce problems for instance) which a general law firm might find it more difficult to do.’

‘The family team at Stowe is highly motivated and energetic in their approach. They have a real focus on building relationships with clients and resolving disputes in an amicable and constructive way, where possible.’

‘Hollie Morgan is a stellar solicitor with a calm and friendly approach to her cases. She is extremely organised and has a high technical ability both advising and in advocacy. She specialises in all areas of family law and has experience with complex high value financial matters.’

‘David Allen is a real rising star. His approach is always calm, considered and empathetic. His advice is clear and wide-ranging – he really considers a case from all angles and strives to plan for every eventuality. He is determined and unflappable. His knowledge of the law is impressive. It is always a real pleasure working with him.’