Harbottle & Lewis LLP acts in sensitive and complex private law children matters for high-profile and international clients. The team is led by Catherine Bedford, whose experience covers internal and international relocations, as well as cases involving allegations of abuse, coercive control, parental alienation and criminal conduct. Nicholas Westley advises on relocation and Schedule 1 cases, including those involving psychological experts and cross-border elements. Mark Irving focuses on financial provision for children under Schedule 1. Emma Williams is experienced in relocation cases and often advises where criminal proceedings run in parallel. Alex Ward is also recommended.
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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Nicholas Westley is highly skilled, knowledgeable and delivered what he promised. He has always been honest about what was achievable. He took great care of us and worked tirelessly throughout our case. Nicholas is very trustworthy and I cannot recommend him enough.'
  • ‘Harbottle & Lewis stood out to me out for its exceptional understanding of my parental conflict and unwavering commitment to prioritizing my children's best interests. Their team's strengths lie in their seamless access to a network of professionals, ensuring comprehensive support for clients. This firm surprised me by combining compassion with professionalism, creating a nurturing environment for families navigating challenging times. Clients can trust that they will receive not only expert legal guidance but also empathetic support tailored to their specific needs, making Harbottle & Lewis someone I would 100% recommend to all my friends.’

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Practice head

Catherine Bedford

Other key lawyers

Nicholas Westley; Mark Irving; Alex Ward; Emma Williams; Lidia Cantele; Helena Middleton