Family Law

Our family law specialists at Hughes Paddison provide advice and assistance on all aspects of matrimonial and family issues. We have particular expertise in financial matters and access to appropriate tax and accountancy advice where needed.

The breakdown of your relationship whether you are married or not brings many associated problems. We have an experienced team of lawyers who will be able to guide you through the legal complexities in a practical yet sensitive way, including mediation services.

The Family Department has been awarded a Specialist Quality Mark by the Legal Services Commission and holds a contract to offer publicly funded legal services to clients.

-Divorce
-Children
-Finance
-Unmarried couples
-Same Sex Partnerships
-Violence in the home
-Mediation

Divorce
Our team of matrimonial lawyers can advise on all aspects of the divorce procedure and have the expertise to deal with the complex issues in a wide range of courts including those with an international element or under foreign jurisdiction.

Children
We will help you try and resolve residence and contact arrangements for your children by negotiation with your former partner. The courts will not become involved in arrangements with children unless it is necessary, but if that occurs then we will represent you with sensitivity and with considerable experience of such proceedings.
We have extensive knowledge and expertise in respect of international proceedings including the removal and abduction of children to countries overseas.

Finance
In the event of a relationship breakdown, disputes over finance can be very bitter and if there are significant assets involved it is vitally important to take professional advice.
Even if matters can be resolved quite amicably, it is still sensible to take legal advice before coming to any financial agreement, because you can only negotiate meaningfully if you know your rights.

Unmarried Couples
The law relating to cohabitees is entirely different to that relating to married couples so far as property rights are concerned, although issues involving children are dealt with in broadly the same way.

Same sex partnerships
We are able to advise on pre-contract agreements, the law on civil partnerships and the ending of such contracts.

Violence in the home
If you have been the victim of violence it may be possible to obtain an injunction removing your partner from the home. In cases of extreme urgency it may be possible to have your case heard by a judge within a few days.

Mediation

We have three family mediators who can help couples to achieve a solution and to resolve their difficulties without going to court.

Family mediation to resolve disputes in respect of marital or cohabitation breakdown, or issues dealing with children and contact is a process which can assist better communication between separating or separated couples. To this end it can help them achieve their own agreed decisions about some or all of the issues arising from their separation. Mediation is thus an alternative to decision-making by the courts.