Elspeth Thomson > David Gray Solicitors LLP > Newcastle upon Tyne, England > Lawyer Profile
David Gray Solicitors LLP Offices
OLD COUNTY COURT
56 WESTGATE ROAD
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE1 5XU
England
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Elspeth Thomson
Work Department
Family.
Position
Partner
Career
I was admitted as a solicitor in 1994 after studying law at Cambridge University and have practised family law ever since. I now specialise in children law with a caseload consisting of public and private law children disputes, and adoption and surrogacy applications.
I also represent family members in legal cases and am the managing partner of David Gray Solicitors LLP with responsibility for the strategic planning and operational running of the firm. I am the current President of the Newcastle Law Society.
I have represented children, parents, step-parents and adopters in adoption cases and have a thorough understanding of this complex area of law. I have spent many years representing people experiencing domestic abuse and I am very sensitive to the issues involved. In April 2019 I give evidence to UK Parliament on the Draft Domestic Abuse Bill Committee in The House of Commons which can be viewed here . In May 2020 I once again provided remote evidence to the House of Commons during the COVID-19 lockdown, find out more.
As a Higher Rights Advocate, I enjoy representing my clients in all levels of the family court. I take time to listen to what is important for my clients and do my best to use the law to help them achieve their aims. I know the law can sound complicated and I try to explain things in a way that people can understand easily. I know that having a family legal problem is very stressful and I try to make things as easy as I can for my clients.
I am an accredited arbitrator (children’s issues) and member of the Institute of Family Law arbitrators.
Memberships
I hold the following accreditations and memberships :
- elected national committee member of Resolution
- co-chair of the Resolution legal aid committee
- member of the Association of Lawyers for Children
- accredited as a member of the Law Society Children Panel
- accredited by Resolution as a specialist lawyer in the areas of private children law and domestic abuse
Education
Cambridge University (Law).
Lawyer Rankings
North > Private client > Family
(Leading partners)The ‘trustworthy, hardworking and intelligent’ Newcastle-based family law team at David Gray Solicitors LLP ‘represent clients in court with extreme skill and professionalism’. The department is led by financial arbitrator Lucy Mead, who is well-versed in advising clients regarding divorces and the dissolution of civil partnerships, arrangements for children, injunctions, and financial issues. Children arbitrator Elspeth Thomson represents adopters and children in cases with cross-border elements. The ‘excellent’ Lesley Monkhouse has expertise in parental alienation issues and is ‘vastly experienced in some of the most complex cases to come before the family court’. Associate Anna Curphey is praised by clients for her ‘kindness alongside her professionalism, honesty and extensive knowledge of family law’. Claire Hunter, who specialises in family law and court of protection work, was promoted to partner in September 2023.
Lawyer Rankings
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Crime, fraud and licensing > Crime, fraud and licensing: General crime and fraud
- Private client > Family