With offices across Brighton, Tunbridge Wells, and Horsham, Family Law Partners draws on a deep bench of experts with particular commitment to non-court dispute resolution methods. Founder and ‘doyen of family law’ Robert Williams works from the Brighton office alongside team head Lisa Burton-Durham, who is ’at ease’ handling complex matters from spousal maintenance to child relocation. Also in Brighton, Gemma Hope regularly handles cases involving property and business assets, Christopher Maulkin is the go-to for TOLATA cases, and Sarah-Jane Riddell is a key name for mediation. Kate Elliott heads up the Horsham office, and is ‘a force to be reckoned with’, qualified as both a hybrid and child inclusive mediator. The Horsham office also includes Hannah Viet, Rachel Nicholl, Polly Dallyn and Charlotte Plowman: Plowman is particularly noted for modern families work. Alice Scambler heads the Tunbridge Wells team, joined in November 2024 by Katy-Louise Allen, formerly of Cripps.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team at FLP are second to none. They are all engaging, exceptional, client focused lawyers. They are technically minded, but solution focused. They simply rival the biggest London firms. Their innovative approach to gathering initial information from clients about their matters unlock the important goals early on, and they remain laser focused on them.’
‘Hannah Viet is a phenomenal lawyer - a straight talker who will achieve for her client against all odds.'
'Christopher Maulkin is a technical wizard, well renowned for dealing with complex matters. Rachel Nicholl is a powerhouse of efficiency.’
- 'Polly Dallyn is very responsive and very numerate.’
‘Family Law Partners have grown to become one of the best specialist family law firms outside London. They have recruited extremely well, and now have a team of lawyers capable of matching anyone in the Magic Circle.’
‘Robert Williams has now established himself as doyen of family law. He approaches cases with a calmness and wisdom that clients really appreciate.'
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Practice head
Robert Williams; Lisa Burton-Durham; Kate Elliott; Alice Scambler
Other key lawyers
Christopher Maulkin; Gemma Hope; Rachel Nicholl; Hannah Viet; Hannah Gumbrill-Ward; Eleanor Pollard; Polly Dallyn; Charlotte Plowman; Zoe Summers; Katy-Louise Allen; Sarah-Jane Riddell