Firm Profile > Bishop & Sewell LLP > London, England

Family Tier 5

Under the leadership of Louise Barretto at Bishop & Sewell LLP the team provides a full range of private family law work. It advises on a broad spread of matters from pre- and post-nuptial agreements through to cohabitation agreements and financial claims on behalf of children. Other areas include advising on private law children disputes including residence and contact as well as relocation disputes and issues over education. The team is also well-equipped to handle ‘forming families’ work such as surrogacy, fertility and adoption.

Immigration

Bishop & Sewell LLP predominantly focuses on human rights and family cases, and the team also regularly advises on PBS applications for high-net-worth individuals and organisations. It regularly handles public law challenges, appeals and complex nationality cases. It offers specialist experience in cases involving international adoption and surrogacy cases, and the team is also instructed by local authorities to advise on the immigration status of children in care.

Client Testimonials

CLIENT: Global biotech client
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: “Bishop & Sewell show a willingness to be available and go the extra mile, which isn’t always the case among law firms.”

CLIENT: Overseas commercial bank
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: “All the people we deal with are very competent, give a good quick service, are attentive to our needs and the service is reasonably priced.”

CLIENT: Healthcare services client
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: “Our lawyer writes good briefing notes on issues. The directors find these very helpful, as they can read and digest them in their own time, discuss the issues among themselves and then revert back to the lawyer.

CLIENT: South African attorney
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: “The professionalism and level of service that I received from your firm is exemplary. I must say a big thank you to you and your team for being able to bring matters to a close. I would also like to say a big thank you for achieving outcomes better than I had anticipated, both with regard to the children and furthermore financially.”

CLIENT: Private Client feedback
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: They are true professionals who respond in a sympathetic yet business-like manner. They have restored my faith in solicitors and made a refreshing change!”

Diversity/Community

Our community and CSR objectives are to:

• • build sustainable relationships
  • use the skills and expertise of our people to support the local community
  • reduce the impact of our activities on the environment
  • maintain a diverse workforce.

Not only is helping others the right thing to do, but those involved also speak highly of the personal satisfaction they gain from their efforts.

We provide financial support to local organisations through charitable giving and sponsored events. Recent recipients include Macmillan Cancer Support, Breast Cancer Care, Care after Combat, London Legal Support Trust  and The Access to Justice Foundation. 

We also participate in awareness campaigns including Family Mediation Week, International Women’s Day, Save the Children (Christmas Jumper Day), Law with no filter (LBGT), Jeans for Genes Day, Good Divorce Week, Cohabitation Awareness Week and World Mental Health Day , World Fertility Day and Mental Health Awareness Week. 

Additionally, we are proud to support our community using the skills of our people on a pro bono basis, ie for free, or at a reduced cost. This includes staff providing regular advice at drop-in sessions at Citizens Advice Bureau and Law centres. 

Everyone at Bishop & Sewell is entitled to volunteer and we encourage individuals and teams to help in the community in various ways. This can be as part of an informal project such as the Canine Partners Stamp Appeal, through to regular volunteering schemes including pro-bono Community Mediators, as a volunteer for CALM Mediation, as a mentor for the Social Mobility Foundations Aspiring Professionals Program, and a member of the Solicitors Benevolent Association. 

During 2019, we have also launched the Bishop & Sewell Legal Research Award in partnership with City Law School. Forming part of our engagement with the local community, the Legal Research Award is a great way for Bishop & Sewell to support local students, encourage research skills, nurture new talent and understand the needs of law schools in anticipation of the new SQE (Solicitors’ Qualification Examination). 

Bishop & Sewell is also a sponsor of the Bloomsbury Festival, which is an annual celebration of our local area pioneering creativity, while presenting an inspiring programme of arts, science, literature, performance, discussion and reflection which takes place over ten days every October. 

We are proud to be investing some of the resources located in the business into the wider and less privileged community, while also internally investing in a healthier, happier, more diverse and productive workforce.