Consilia Legal > Leeds, England > Firm Profile
Consilia Legal Offices
4 Park Place
Leeds
LS1 2RU
England
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Consilia Legal > The Legal 500 Rankings
Private client > Family: Leeds, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire Tier 2
Consilia Legal‘s family team is headed by the ‘fearless’ and ‘exceptional’ Laura Clapton. The team prides itself on its offering of mediation and ADR solutions to clients; Clapton has successfully introduced a ‘Hybrid Mediation’ model at the firm. The team’s workload predominantly involves high-value, complex financial disputes and children’s matters. It offers notable expertise in parental alienation and coercive control cases, specifically. In addition, its cases are often cross-jurisdictional in nature and the team is well-versed in dealing with overseas assets disputes. Sandeep Sandhu and Sophie Arrowsmith are key members of the family team, which is commended by clients for its ‘anxiety reducing’ ability to deal constructively and efficiently with diverse issues.Practice head(s):
Laura Clapton
Other key lawyers:
Sophie Arrowsmith; Sandeep Sandhu; Kelly Walters
Testimonials
‘The team at Consilia Legal are used to dealing with complex child cases and those with an international element. They provide speedy responses and I’m always able to get hold of my solicitor when needed, which reduces stress in what is already a stressful situation.’
‘Sophie Arrowsmith has been an excellent support throughout my entire journey. From being in an abusive relationship to the place I’m in today: living with self-respect and much-needed mental peace. Sophie provided me with warmth and the assurance that she was always available for help and support. Sophie is very professional and always stuck to her commitments, and she ensured that timely advice was given and appropriate actions taken.’
‘A key strength of this team is how trainee solicitors are incorporated into the structure. I appreciated having women to provide me with all the support and advice required to get divorced. I would recommend them, especially to any woman seeking a female-only legal team.’
‘The diversity aspect has been really important to me which is one of the reasons I chose Consilla Legal. When looking for representation in the past, I often found that I had to explain a lot of details regarding my culture, wasting time and increasing my costs. I was having to explain details that would have been easy for someone from a diverse background to understand – I got that understanding from Consilla Legal. I am so grateful to have found them in my time of need.’
‘I really can’t put into words what Sandeep Sandhu has meant to me. She has always been there when I have needed her, offered me the best advice and made sure I understood all the legal terms which helped me make some of my most important decisions. Sandeep always remained professional but I knew she was there for me, it always felt as though I was talking to a friend, not my solicitor. Sandeep understood what I was going through and the cultural aspects of my separation which was so important to me – it made things a lot easier for me, and my anxieties were reduced by not having to explain the minute details of my situation.’
‘Consilia has a modern, progressive approach to Family Law, embracing and encouraging non-court dispute resolution where ever appropriate but also taking a robust approach where Court proceedings are unavoidable. Their preparation and attention to detail is impeccable. They are very approachable and user-friendly whilst also extremely professional in every respect. Although they are a relatively new firm, they have succeeded in already achieving a reputation as one of the best firms for Family Law in Leeds.’
‘Laura Clapton is exceptional in her conduct of cases on behalf of her clients. She is friendly and approachable and also fearless in representing her clients. Laura will always consider which method of dispute resolution is best suited to each case, and embraces all forms of dispute resolution, including Court proceedings where necessary. Clients benefit from her high level of expertise in ADR, and also her tenacious approach if court proceedings ensue. She also provides effectively leadership to others in her team and is widely respected by practitioners throughout the North East. Kelly Walters is also a very able family law practitioner. Her case preparation is meticulous and she leaves no stone unturned in pursuing her clients’ cases.’
‘Sophie Arrowsmith has a wealth of experience in complex child cases and those with an international child element. She listens to my concerns and needs and addresses them accordingly.’
Work highlights
Employment > Employment: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire Tier 4
Consilia Legal specialises in whistleblowing and discrimination cases and have handled several claimant matters on behalf of NHS consultants. Spearheaded by the ‘amazing’ Marie Walsh, the team regularly assists with contentious exits of senior executives and settlement arrangement terms. Other key practitioners are associate Victoria Horner and Andrew Boyde .Practice head(s):
Marie Walsh
Other key lawyers:
Victoria Horner; Andrew Boyde
Testimonials
‘They are experts in their areas and do not dabble. They are all personable and approachable and have excellent client care skills.’
‘They are truly a people business that listens to and understands our needs. They respond quickly and professionally, giving us great outcomes.’
‘Marie Walsh is amazing, down to earth and pragmatic. Great advice that has saved us time, money and headaches.’
‘Pro-active and responsive team with a genuine interest in their clients.’
‘Excellent quality, hands on and attentive, Truly available, very able and affable.’
‘A very rigorous dedication to getting the job done within set time scales, whilst making the process look effortless.’
‘It is a credit to the senior management team that every dealing I have had with them has been 100% positive in the extreme.’
‘Marie Walsh and Andy Boyde are both good with clients, knowledgeable and reactive to clients’ needs, picking up matters at short notice and putting clients at ease.’
Work highlights
Consilia Legal > Firm Profile
Consilia Legal is an award-winning, boutique law firm based in Leeds. The firm specialises in employment and family law and is recognised for giving clients pragmatic and straight-talking advice.
Consilia Legal has grown quickly since it’s establishment in 2014 and has earned a reputation for offering a high level of service to clients.
Types of work undertaken
Family: The family team specialises in all aspects of private family law including divorce/civil partnership dissolution, financial remedy cases, private Children Act matters, pre/post nuptial agreements and TOLATA applications. It is highly experienced in dealing with litigated matters from complex Children Act proceedings, involving fact finding hearings, to high net-worth finance cases with multi-million pound assets, involving business structures, overseas assets, pensions and property portfolios. The team has an excellent reputation in this area and receives referrals from other professional service providers. Experts in high net-worth cases involving an Official Solicitor where the client lacks capacity and receives repeated referrals due to its expertise in dealing with these matters.
The team also offers a range of family mediation services to clients both in person and across the UK through its online mediation service. It is passionate about the benefits that mediation can bring to clients and families. It can also speak directly to children as part of the mediation process. The team has two dedicated websites for mediation clients locally and nationally consiliamediation.co.uk & onlinemediationservice.co.uk
Employment: The employment team is focused on offering a straight-talking, practical and open approach, delivering high quality legal services that utilise modern technology and education initiatives. It specialises in providing day to day support to clients on a number of contentious and non-contentious issues including employment tribunal representation.
The team is highly respected in the market for advising public listed companies, SMEs, owner managed businesses and individuals. Specialists in dealing with highly contentious exits of top end executives for both company and individual clients and has developed a niche in discrimination and whistleblowing claims.
The team has been increasingly proactive in offering insurance backed employment law retainer packages under its Fortress business protection brand to employer clients. Fortress offers a range of options to prospective clients both with and without an insurance element and has a dedicated website – consiliahrsupport.co.uk
The team also offers a range of workplace mediation services that are available online and in person.
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Sophie Arrowsmith | Associate Family Solicitor | View Profile |
![]() | Andrew Boyde | Senior Associate Solicitor | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Matthew Bretherick | Solicitor | View Profile |
![]() | Laura Clapton | Director & Head of Department | View Profile |
![]() | Victoria Horner | Senior Associate Solicitor | View Profile |
![]() | Zara Rafiq | Solicitor | View Profile |
![]() | Sandeep Sandhu | Associate Solicitor | View Profile |
![]() | Marie Walsh | Director and Head of Employment | View Profile |
![]() | Kelly Walters | Senior Associate Solicitor | View Profile |