Karen Gibbons > Harper Macleod LLP > Edinburgh, United Kingdom > Lawyer Profile

Karen Gibbons

0131 247 2552 karen.gibbons@harpermacleod.co.uk

Position

Partner

Karen is a highly experienced family law solicitor who is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in family law and also as a family law mediator. She is trained in Collaborative Practice. Karen holds dual qualification in Scots and English law.

Karen has extensive experience over the spectrum of family law case types, including financial provision and divorce cases; cohabitation cases; pre-nuptial and pre-cohabitation agreements; child-related cases, including those with an international element and child abduction related matters.

Having specialised exclusively in family law since the outset of her career, she has many years of experience of assisting clients to achieve the right outcome for their particular circumstances. Whilst experienced in dealing with cases both in the Sheriff Courts and Court of Session, in most cases, she is able to help clients find a positive way forward without the need for court proceedings.

Karen has assisted with family law clinics within the Edinburgh community on a voluntary basis both with Citizens Advice Bureau and Gingerbread.

For many years, Karen had a very close involvement with the running of Scotland’s FLA.  Karen was elected twice on to the FLA’s Committee, from 2008 to 2016, and held high profile office bearing roles: Vice-Chair (2012 to 2014) and Chair (2014 to 2016).  Amongst the objectives of the FLA is the promotion and monitoring of family law reform as well as the provision of education and training in family law and in skills necessary for good practice. Karen regularly organised and chaired training events for family law practitioners throughout Scotland, was in regular communication with the Scottish Government primarily in relation to family law reform, and by virtue of her office bearing roles, Karen was also invited to give evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee in connection with the Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill.

Memberships

Karen is a member of Consensus, IACP (the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals), CALM Scotland and the Family Law Association of Scotland (FLA).

Education

LLP Dip LP