Praised as a ‘first-rate’ firm that ’goes the extra mile’, Crane & Staples LLP offers a rounded public and private family law service, including advice on financial disputes, children matters, nuptial agreements, and domestic cases. The team is jointly headed by Danielle Peters and Sian Churchill. Peters specialises in private family law, bringing particular expertise in high-value financial proceedings, complex asset divisions involving property portfolios, business interests, and pensions, as well as maintenance variation, domestic abuse cases, and complex private children disputes involving serious abuse allegations. Churchill maintains a reputation for her work in public law care proceedings, notably those involving allegations of child abuse.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Very knowledgeable on all aspects of family law, with the ability to apply to the individual circumstances. Extremely good at dealing with disabled clients and ensuring that the points and issue surrounding the case were well explained and understood. Solid and honest advice given. Billing was very efficient, always 100% accurate and timely.’
  • ‘Natasha Khakhar has been outstanding. She has offered great support and advice during a very difficult time. All phone calls/emails and queries have been responded to efficiently.'

  • ‘I have worked extensively with Ms Lilas Kayani on complex public law cases where she represented parents and grandparents. She is extremely dedicated, hard-working and always goes the extra mile for her clients. Her legal knowledge of children work is solid. She is approachable, empathetic and consistently reliable. I highly recommend her as a family law solicitor.’

  • ‘Sharon Montgomery combines excellent judgement with a brilliant approach to tactics, ensuring her clients get the very best of results. Natasha Khakhar goes the extra mile for all of her clients, who trust and respect her. Her pragmatism and client care means she has a fantastic track record of settling difficult cases.’

  • ‘First-rate firm which goes the extra mile for clients.’

  • 'Sian Churchill is passionate, empathetic and driven. I know that in between hearings, Sian works tirelessly behind the scenes, liaising with the client and going back and forth between relevant professionals to advance the client's interests. I know Sian cares deeply not only for her clients but for those on her team. She should rightly be recognised as a huge asset to the family law world.'

Practice head

Danielle Peters; Sian Churchill

Other key lawyers

Natasha Khakhar; Lilas Kayani; Sharon Montgomery; Janet Martland; Megan Latschrauner