Private client
‘A mediation team combining those from a therapeutic background and lawyers', Family Law in Partnership Ltd is recommended for ’the way in which it seeks to join legal and other services all for the benefit of the clients’. Head of mediation Dominic Raeside is 'one of the very best mediators in the country‘, mediating both domestically and cross-border and offering sole, hybrid, and co-mediation. He is qualified in child inclusive mediation, also offered by James Pirrie and Ruth Smallacombe. Pirrie also practices as a child arbitrator, and has developed the FLiP Settle model for couples resolving issues together. Smallacombe leverages longstanding experience to mediate for high-conflict couples. For complex financial claims on divorce, David Allison is particularly recommended, while Elizabeth Fletcher is a go-to for child matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Profile
Work Department
Director, Family Law in Partnership
Position
David is a director at Family Law in Partnership who has specialised in family law for over 25 years. David's clients include business owners, entrepreneurs, bankers, other lawyers and their partners. The focus of David's practice is financial claims on divorce, particularly those with an international dimension, and the legal issues affecting cohabitants, same sex couples and civil partners. David settles the vast majority of his cases outside the court process but where cases have to go to court he is a determined and effective litigator. His goal is to achieve the best outcome for his client and to do so in a way that produces an efficient, fair and positive result. David is a trained mediator and has FMA senior mediator status. He is an experienced collaborative lawyer and is a Resolution collaborative specialist. David lectures, writes and broadcasts extensively on a wide range of family law matters including on issues affecting cohabitants and same sex couples.
Career
Joined Family Law in Partnership 1998, partner 2001.
Memberships
Member and former national chair Resolution; International Academy of Family Lawyers (chair of LGBT committee); former vice-chair of the Family Law Committee of the American Bar Association, International Section; UK & Ireland LGBT Family Law Institute.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘They lead, others follow. Rightly holding the number one spot in the country. A mediation team combining those from a therapeutic background and lawyers. Their capabilities and experience separate them from the rest. Hugely impressive.’
- ‘Many law firms describe themselves as innovative, but arguably FLiP have the best claim to use that word to describe themselves. The NCDR offering of the firm and the way in which it seeks to join the legal and other services all for the benefit of the clients is exceptional.’
'James Pirrie is a stand out for innovation. He has now brought his towering intellect to his practice as a mediator. He will go the extra mile to seek out the best way of resolving matters for his clients.'
‘Nicole Phillips is brimming with intelligence, compassion and integrity.'
‘Charlotte Symes is empathetic and sensible. She sees through issues clearly and is settlement focused.’
- 'Elizabeth Fletcher is a super mediator who is completely child focused and has a lovely manner with clients to encourage them to reach solutions.'
‘David Allison is a very accomplished mediator. His professional skills stand out; he is sympathetic, balanced and neutral. I recommend him highly.’
‘Dominic Raeside is quite simply one of the very best mediators in the country. He has it all; the skills, the experience and the charm allied with an ability to resolve even the most intractable of disagreements.’