Seddons GSC LLP’s family practice is headed by Neil Russell, who has extensive experience handling financial disputes involving cross-border assets, trusts, and intricate tax or inheritance issues. Following the firm’s merger with GSC Solicitors in April 2025, the team continues to focus on complex matrimonial work, including pre- and post-nuptial as well as cohabitation agreements. Neil frequently advises property developers, investors, and FTSE 100 directors, providing insight into share schemes and investment structures. Catherine Hancock and Kate Ryan both add strong mediation offerings—Hancock with hybrid mediation, including specific expertise in matters involving narcissistic dynamics, and Kate with a specialism in unmarried couples, TOLATA claims, and trust disputes. Victoria Spencer is also a key name to note.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Marianne Harris is my solicitor, and her work has been exceptional on all levels. Marianne has communicated with myself and the other side in a highly professional manner and has offered excellent advice in dealing with the financial remedy and helped me understand the process.'
‘Catherine Hancock has been a revelation. Not only is she kind, compassionate, and a good listener, but she also has a very good understanding of personality types. She took time to understand exactly what kind of individual we were up against, and this was integrated into our strategy. Despite a very aggressive stance from the other side, Catherine was able to calmly sift through the noise and respond to each and every communication calmly and smartly, whilst still managing my expectations in a very emotionally intelligent way.'
‘Victoria Spencer is simply excellent. She cares hugely about her clients, leaves no stone unturned, and is always one step ahead.'
- 'Neil Russell gives excellent and commercial advice, with one eye always on the bigger picture. He is a big name in family law for a reason.’
‘Kate Ryan is excellent. She works extremely hard and gives her all to her clients. She gives clear, robust advice that calms nervous clients and cuts through matters that might otherwise spiral into further litigation. She is experienced, and it shows. Cara Ramprakash is relatively new, but has wisdom beyond her years, qualified, and is calm and confident with clients, incisive in her judgment and thorough in her mastery of detail.’
‘The team is very well run and has a diversity of people working in the family department. One of the great strengths is the crossover of people who work on finance and children work. Very often there is a consistency of the entire case which is of real value to the client.’
Work highlights
Acted on High Court divorce proceedings, valued up to £100m, which encompassed the application of overseas law from two European jurisdictions.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Neil Russell
Other key lawyers
Catherine Hancock; Kate Ryan; Victoria Spencer; Marianne Harris; Cara Ramprakash