Firm Profile > Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice > Cardiff, Wales
Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice Offices
13 WINDSOR PLACE
CARDIFF
CF10 3BY
Wales
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Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice > The Legal 500 Rankings
Family Tier 1
Cardiff-based family law boutique Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice has successfully 'built up an enviable reputation as the "go to" firm on divorce, not just in Wales but also in England', and is praised for its ability to provide 'sound advice' and its 'availability at a short notice'. Much of the firm's work is on behalf of high-net-worth clients, many of which involve the division of complex financial assets, often involving multi-jurisdictional issues. Melanie Hamer and the 'professional and level-headed' Thea Hughes are regularly involved in high-value divorces, as is the 'very responsive' David James, who also regularly undertakes private children matters. Sarah Wyburn has niche expertise in relation to same sex marriage cases and is a key member of the team that also includes 'kind and caring' associate Rebecca Knight.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
It has carefully built an enviable reputation as the “go to” firm on the subject of divorce, not just in Wales but also in England, as can be witnessed by the amount of time some partners spend in London with clients.
The firm provides very sound advice and is always available at short notice.
The lawyers in the team have an ability to adapt their behaviour to best suit the client, to initially set them at ease and believe they have someone fighting their corner, as can be seen by the number of clients whom stay in contact with the partners even after business has been concluded.
Thea Hughes is so understanding and you know by how quickly she replies with information that she is 100% behind you.
Thea Hughes was very professional and her level-headed nature made me feel at ease.
Rebecca Knight had the skill to be kind and caring but at the same time encourage me to progress with my case.
David James is very responsive.
Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 4
Led by associate Catrin Griffiths, Cardiff-based firm Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice continues to receive a regular flow of direct client instructions, as well as referrals from charities, IFAs and solicitors, as a result of its expertise across the spectrum of wills and probate work. Herself a Welsh speaker, Griffiths has excellent credibility in the local market and is noted for her expertise at elder law and Court of Protection matters.
Practice head(s):
Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice > Firm Profile
Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice is a high-quality boutique specialist practice. It is one of the largest niche family law firms in the UK and has a high media profile.
The firm: Founded in 1996 as Wales’ first specialist family law firm, the firm is now the largest niche family law firm in Wales in terms of both size of team and turnover. While the firm is based in Cardiff, its clients are based all over the UK and the world including a sizeable proportion of high-net-worth and high-profile individuals (eg Premier League footballers, business owners, professionals, well-known entertainers etc).
By concentrating on purely family law issues, including divorce, separation, children matters, finances, pre-marital agreements, civil partnerships, international family law matters and private client services, Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice is able to provide expert and specialist advice to its clients. It is recognised as one of the best family law firms in Wales by both The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.
Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice is an innovative and approachable law firm with years of experience dealing with family law issues sensitively and professionally. It has built a reputation for providing an empathetic and knowledgeable approach to finding solutions for all of its clients.
The firm prides itself on the service it provides and is committed to Resolution’s code of practice. This includes dealing with matters in a non-adversarial way whenever possible. It offers clients broad knowledge and years of experience of a whole range of family law issues.
The firm also provides private client services, having developed special individually tailored programmes which include advice on wills, powers of attorney, administration of estates, court of protection matters, tax and other legal issues. Our private client department can communicate in both English and Welsh.
Types of work undertaken
Divorce and separation: The firm understands that contemplating the end of a marriage or going through a divorce can be a painful and confusing process. As Wales’ first and largest specialist family law firm, it has the necessary experience and expertise to help clients through this difficult time with the best possible advice and support. With its years of experience and specialist expertise, Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice can help guide separating and recently-separated couples through this process with the minimum amount of acrimony. The firm is especially experienced in complex and high-value financial matters and children matters.
Cohabitee disputes: If an unmarried couple’s relationship breaks down, there may be many difficult and emotional issues to be resolved. It is likely that they will need to divide the assets which they own (both personal assets and property) and make arrangements for the children, but it can be confusing and stressful not knowing where to start, or where to find reliable advice on this subject. With years of experience and specialist expertise, Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice can help guide separating and recently-separated couples through this process as quickly and cost effectively as possible.
Civil partnership work: Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice is proud to be the first law firm in Wales to join Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme, which aims to promote equality for LGBT+ staff and clients. The firm has a long history of working with the gay community to resolve the issues that arise from the end of a relationship, and was one of the first law firms in Wales to offer a specialist service for clients in civil partnerships and same-sex relationships.
When civil partners separate, their finances and child arrangements need to be resolved in the same way as divorcing couples. Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice has the expertise and experience to advise and assist clients to resolve issues and obtain the best possible outcome.
Pre-marital and post-marital agreements: Pre-marital agreements are becoming increasingly popular in the UK. Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice has a wealth of experience producing pre and post-matrimonial agreements.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Melanie Hamer | ||
| Director | Thea Hughes | ||
| Director | Sarah Wyburn | ||
| Director | David James | ||
| Director | Rebecca Knight | ||
| Head of Private Client | Catrin Griffiths |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lucy Chandler | Solicitor – Lucy specialises in all aspects of family law, including divorce… | View Profile |
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Gabriella Evans | Solicitor | View Profile |
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Catrin Griffiths | Head of Private Client / Associate – Catrin has vast experience dealing… | View Profile |
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Ms Melanie Hamer | Director – Melanie has considerable experience in big-money divorce cases, prenuptial agreements… | View Profile |
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Thea Hughes | Director – Thea deals with all aspects of family law, specialising in… | View Profile |
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David James | Director – David specialises in the financial issues arising out of divorce… | View Profile |
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Sam John | Associate | View Profile |
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Rebecca Knight | Director – Rebecca has won acclaim for her work on many complex,… | View Profile |
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Bethan Tapper | Solicitor – Bethan specialises in all aspects of family law, including divorce,… | View Profile |
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Lorraine Watts | Associate – Lorraine deals with all aspects of family law, with a… | View Profile |
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Sarah Wyburn | Director – Sarah has specialised in family law throughout her career, dealing… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of directors : 5 Number of solicitors : 6 Number of other fee-earners : 2Languages
English WelshClient Testimonials
CLIENT: Confidential
COMPANY/FIRM: Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice (Melanie Hamer)
TESTIMONIAL: “Every minute of our time was of the highest value and we got to the heart of the matter and I was presented with options which gave me just what I needed to make my decisions. I felt I could trust Melanie from the outset”
CLIENT: Confidential
COMPANY/FIRM: Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice (Thea Hughes)
TESTIMONIAL: “Thank you for being such an amazing solicitor Thea. You have been brilliant throughout this whole process. From the beginning you have made me aspire and reach for the best outcome for myself without giving me false hopes or unrealistic expectations.”
CLIENT: Confidential
COMPANY/FIRM: Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice (Sarah Wyburn)
TESTIMONIAL: “You’ve been wonderfully supportive over the last nearly two years, and I’m very grateful — many thanks for taking on this case, and for advising and representing me so sensitively and supportively. As you know, I’ve already recommended the Practice on one occasion, and will be very happy to do so again if I know of anyone else in need!”
CLIENT: Confidential
COMPANY/FIRM: Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice (David James)
TESTIMONIAL: “I cannot thank you enough David for your advice, support and guidance. Both you and members of your team have provided me with a very professional service and dealt with all communications in an expedient, friendly and courteous manner.”
CLIENT: Confidential
COMPANY/FIRM: Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice (Rebecca Knight)
TESTIMONIAL: “Thank you so much for all your help in dealing with the divorce. It was made what was a very stressful time significantly easier. So huge thank you”
CLIENT: Confidential
COMPANY/FIRM: Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice (Catrin Griffiths)
TESTIMONIAL: “We received excellent, informed and impartial advice from Catrin Griffiths at WHFLP. She, and the other staff we dealt with, were always friendly and courteous, and we have no hesitation in recommending WHFLP to others.”
Diversity/Community
Diversity statement – Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice
We are a forward-thinking law firm and we strongly believe in providing both a diverse working environment and equal opportunities for both employees and our clients. In 2011 we were the first law firm in Wales to join Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme. This programme promotes good practice for employers, creating excellent working environments for all employees whilst ensuring equal treatment. We have a long history of working with the LGBT+ community to resolve the issues that arise from the end of a relationship. We were one of the first law firms in Wales to offer a specialist service for clients in Civil Partnerships and same-sex relationships. We feel strongly about being a member of the Stonewall programme as it reflects our values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviour.
Our ethos is to encourage personal development throughout the firm, this is why we focus on promoting internally. Many of our current Solicitors and Associates started with the firm in a paralegal position. All bar one of the firm’s present Associates started as trainees within the firm as did two of our five Directors. We base our selection solely on the individual’s qualities. We understand it can be a mammoth task managing a work-life balance. We always ensure to take care of our employees and one of our Directors has qualified as a Mental Health First Aider.
In a report from the Solicitors Regulation Authority, ‘The business case for diversity’ (2017), it was reported that 48% of all solicitors are women, whilst only 33% of law firm partners are women. We go against the grain with 4 out of our 5 Directors being women.
It is important to us that we aspire to be a diverse company from both an employee and client prospective. We provide pro bono work at a legal advice clinic run by Support Through Court which focuses on helping disadvantaged people facing the civil and family justice system without a lawyer. Our private client (wills and probate) team frequently volunteer their time and provide free Wills to patients of Maggie’s Cardiff. Maggie’s offer free support to anyone with cancer and their families, they have centres built on the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals.
Additionally, one of our Associates attends a free Legal Clinic at The Children’s Centre for Wales based at Swansea University.
We ensure to treat all clients equally regardless of background or culture and provide clients with the option to communicate in English and Welsh.
We have an accessible office with disabled access and facilities.