Family Law Partners > Tunbridge Wells, England > Firm Profile

Family Law Partners
79 Tonbridge Rd
Hildenborough
Tonbridge, Kent
TN11 9BH
England

Private client > Family: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Tier 1

The ‘first-rate family boutique practice’ at ‘forward-thinking, fast-acting, client-focused firm’ Family Law Partners spans Brighton and Horsham and achieves the ‘best possible results’. Having launched its Agreeable model, a service for divorcing and separating couples, in April 2022, and embedding an in-house family therapist in its offering, the practice is led by a trio of lawyers including managing director and collaborative lawyer and arbitrator Robert Williams, who specialises in finance-related matters after relationship breakdown. Also co-heading the team is the ‘truly stellar’ Kate Elliott, who is a Resolution trained mediator and undertakes a range of family matters relating to private children work, high-net-worth individuals, nuptial agreements, domestic violence and addiction issues, and Lisa Burton-Durham, who is ‘bright, personable and a pleasure to work with’ and offers expertise in spousal maintenance work, property portfolios, cohabitee disputes and TOLATA issues, as well as private children matters such as coercive control and parental alienation mandates. Collaborative lawyer Christopher Maulkin deals with financial issues and family matters involving unmarried couples. Also noted is ‘approachable and friendly solicitor’ Gemma Hope.

Practice head(s):

Robert Williams; Lisa Burton-Durham; Kate Elliott

Other key lawyers:

Christopher Maulkin; Gemma Hope; Rachel Nicholl; Hannah Viet; Hannah Gumbrill-Ward; Eleanor Pollard; Polly Dallyn

Testimonials

‘Family Law Partners provides a service that is second to none. They are a forward-thinking, fast-acting, client-focused firm. Whilst they have a strong focus on collaborative law and mediation, they do not shy away from complex, interesting and difficult cases.’

‘Lisa Burton-Durham is bright, personable and a pleasure to work with. Hannah Gumbrill-Ward is a level-headed and hardworking solicitor with excellent judgment. Rachel Nicholl is a tenacious solicitor who is forensic in her approach to cases. Gemma Hope is an approachable and friendly solicitor who works tirelessly for her clients. Eleanor Pollard is determined and hardworking.’

‘Kate Elliott and Lisa Burton-Durham are stand out individuals who go the extra mile. They are astute, incisive and committed. I cannot recommend them more highly as a team and in general. This firm is progressive and forward thinking. Committed to family justice.’

‘Simply the best. Very focused on achieving the best possible result for the client by whatever means – be that negotiation, mediation, collaboration or litigation.’

‘Kate Elliott is truly stellar. She is endlessly patient and compassionate. She is able to deliver time and time again in complex children work and those involving family finances. She is always on top of her game. She is very bright, has great attention to detail and leaves no stone unturned. She is able to achieve fantastic outcomes for clients, whether in court or out. Her skill, energy and hard work is unparalleled. She is someone you would always want on your side. Polly Dallyn is phenomenally hard working and intelligent. Polly brings clarity to the most complicated cases. She is working at a level beyond her qualification years. Her attention to detail often makes all the difference to the outcome of client’s cases. Gemma Hope is a very clever lawyer who is dedicated to her clients and works hard to achieve positive outcomes for them.’

‘First-rate family boutique practice going from strength to strength. Solution focused, working to support the whole family.’

‘Robert Williams is an opponent who garners respect. He is clever, innovative and skilled in a range of ADR.’

‘A hugely impressive firm, committed to achieving the very best for their clients both in and out of court. They have some brilliant lawyers, who really get to the heart of a client’s case. They manage to achieve an excellent balance between compassion and tenacity. They have a full-time family therapist and coach, to holistically assist their clients with being able to exit their relationship on a positive footing. They are true all-rounders.’

Private client > Family: Hampshire Tier 3

Family Law Partners is focused on ‘solutions and resolution’, particularly when handling complex family financial and divorce remedy matters for high-net-worth-individuals. Operating out of the Hampshire office, Emily Pain heads up the group, and boasts extensive experience handling financial issues and children disputes following a separation. Hazel Manktelow is a qualified mediator, who has carved out a niche acting in domestic abuse cases and mandates relating to armed forces pensions. Jayne Llewelyn is noted for her disputes expertise. Senior associate Victoria Burrows joined the Horsham office from Irwin Mitchell in November 2022.

Practice head(s):

Robert Williams; Emily Pain

Other key lawyers:

Hazel Manktelow; Jayne Llewelyn; Victoria Burrows

Testimonials

‘Emily Pain – enthusiastic, diligent and dedicated.’

‘Jayne Llewellyn is known for being very supportive of her clients.’

‘Dynamic in every sense. Excellent lawyers with a focus on solutions and resolution – steeped in ADR.’

‘Hazel Manktelow has carved out a real niche for herself dealing with armed forces pensions as well as a highly regarded mediation practice. She is brilliant at putting clients at ease and making sure they feel supported and listened to. Hazel will never fight anything unnecessarily and is entirely committed to resolving situations amicably.’

‘Jayne Llewelyn is always very eager to help her clients solve their family issues in the most effective way, both in terms of cost and generally. Jayne has significant experience and knowledge in family finances/ financial remedy cases and she has a very practical approach to matters. Her understanding and empathy for her clients’ situations is excellent yet she can manage their expectations and instil her advice and guidance gently but firmly.’

‘Robert Williams – experienced, calm, sensible – resolution focused but firm when he needs to be.’

‘Jayne Llewelyn is so approachable and welcoming to her clients. She is very empathetic to their needs but at the same time is able to provide clear and robust legal advice protecting their interests at all times – her knowledge in complex and high-net-worth cases is exceptional.’

Private client > Family: Essex Tier 4

Overseen by Robert Williams in Brighton and led by Essex-based Louise Buttery, Family Law Partners fields a particular strong dispute resolution practice and is praised by clients for ‘going the extra mile in offering support’. Clients ‘would fully recommend’ Buttery, who is equipped to handle high-value financial cases, as well as complex children matters.

Practice head(s):

Robert Williams; Louise Buttery

Testimonials

‘This is a unique specialist firm with a real breadth in partners and associates. They have detailed knowledge of their areas and can draw upon wide family law resources within the firm.’

‘Vast experience and technical knowledge, with a personal touch.’

‘Louise Buttery is a joy to work with. She is passionate about good outcomes for her clients, and communicates with both clients and professional partners effectively.’

‘A huge breadth of experience, they bespoke their services to meet the needs of individual clients. They are at the forefront of alternate dispute resolution services.’

‘Louise Buttery is technically excellent. She knows all rules, procedures and black letter law but even better than that she is kind and empathetic to clients listening to their needs. She is an excellent collaborative lawyer who will always promote alternative dispute resolution where appropriate to get a quicker and less painful outcome for her clients.’

‘They go the extra mile in offering support.’

‘Louise Buttery has been exceptional from the outset and guided me through a long divorce case.’

‘Louise Buttery was absolutely outstanding in explaining every step of the process, telling me what my options were and also giving me very clear legal advice on the situation. Throughout she was exceptional in staying in touch and keeping me informed about the latest developments, and remained incredibly calm during the court hearing. I would fully recommend her to anyone seeking advice on issues of family law.’

Private client > Family: mediation Tier 2

Family Law Partners ‘offers not only the best in litigation but also the full remit of alternatives to going to court coupled with a comprehensive counselling therapy and well-being space. Truly a team who can offer a “good divorce”.’ It has an abundance of talent where the lawyers offer ‘a holistic approach to divorce and separation enabling clients to move on from an emotional and difficult process with clarity and confidence‘. Gemma Hope is a member of the Family Mediation Council and is an accredited mediator. Kate Elliott has an excellent practice – she qualified as a mediator in 2019 and is working towards accreditation. Sarah Jelly is also well-regarded and can provide statutory Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings. Hazel Manktelow is also a child-inclusive mediator.

Other key lawyers:

Kate Elliott; Gemma Hope; Polly Dallyn; Emily Pain; Hazel Manktelow; Jayne Llewellyn; Alice Scambler

Testimonials

‘Kate Elliott ‘lowered the temperature’ in an incredibly acrimonious environment, and she very calmly, but firmly, drew the parties back in to focus on the key issues in dispute. It was remarkable’.

‘Hazel is an excellent mediator who brings her warm personality and common sense attitude together with vast legal background experience to the mediation process. Clients are in a safe pair of hands with Hazel’.

‘Polly Dallyn-phenomenally hardworking and intelligent, Polly brings clarity to the most complicated cases. Her attention to detail often makes all the difference to the outcome of client’s cases‘.

‘Gemma Hope is a very clever lawyer who is dedicated to her client’s and works hard to achieve positive outcomes for them’.

‘Emily Pain’s calm, confident manner has meant I have recommended many clients to her. She has never disappointed, always achieving excellent outcomes whether in court or out’.

‘The team works well together. Sarah Jelly is a class act’.

‘Jayne remained calm, tempered and encouraging throughout the process. Jayne gave space for the clients to be able to lean on and take advice from lawyers whilst ensuring good progress was made throughout the day’.

‘Alice offers a great client-focused service for clients. I often refer mediation to her as I know she will deliver a fantastic service’.

Private client > Family Tier 5

Family Law Partners ‘is a truly modern and progressive firm that is entirely focused on securing realistic and effective results for its clients’. Farhana Shahzady has particular expertise in complex cases with both financial and children elements. Trisha Siddique specialises in Islamic and Middle East law and complex cases concerning religious marriage ceremonies. Other names to note include Emilie Helm and Robert Williams. Mark Harrop took up a consultancy role at Collyer Bristow LLP at the beginning of 2023, and Rosa Schofield moved to The International Family Law Group LLP in October 2023.

Practice head(s):

Farhana Shahzady; Emilie Helm; Trisha Siddique; Robert Williams

Other key lawyers:

Kate Elliott

Testimonials

‘Farhana Shazady is sharp and insightful. Farhana is passionate about her clients and leaves no stone unturned.’

‘Emilie Helm has been a huge asset to the firm. Her impact on the firm was instantly noticeable and very positive. She balances a forensic and detail-orientated approach to litigation, within the realistic bespoke advice that she provides to her clients.’

‘Dynamic and forward-thinking team with a focus on ADR and out of court settlement. There is a wonderful energy to the team who go above and beyond to help their clients.’

‘Kate Elliott is a fantastic team leader who inspires confidence in her colleagues and clients alike. She is wonderful to work with; motivating and supportive, as well as possessing excellent judgment.’

‘Farhana Shahzady stands out owing to their fantastic manner with clients. They always build such strong relationships which enable them to give frank advice which the client trusts implicitly. They are the most down-to-earth, practical solicitors and such joy to work with.’

‘Trisha Siddique has loads of experience and is frequently sought out by clients who need experience on big money cases and those cases with an international aspect. She is extremely adept at getting quickly up to speed with cases.’

‘A well-established middle money practice offering quality and value. An excellent reputation for children work. A well-known and prominent family law specialist firm with good quality at all levels. A family team of strength and depth.’