Family/Matrimonial
UK Guide 2025 : East Anglia
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(01473) 232300About
Provided by Birketts LLP
Birketts’ Family Law Team appreciates that the breakdown of a marriage or relationship can be one of the most traumatic events in a person’s life. Our family lawyers are members of Resolution and include accredited specialists, mediators, collaborative practitioners and Family Law Arbitrators who can provide family law advice and support which best suits a client’s particular needs and helps them reach their goals.
We do not only advise clients when their relationships are in trouble. We also specialise in Relationship Agreements which help clients to plan the financial side of their marriage or cohabitation. Prenuptial Agreements are now very common. Our team of family lawyers can advise on all types of relationship agreements.
Some clients visiting us for the first time about their relationship difficulties may have a good idea of the outcome they would like to achieve. Others have no idea what to expect at all. Part of our job is to provide clear family law advice about the various legal processes which are available – mediation, collaboration, constructive negotiation and court proceedings. It is important to understand these different approaches so you are able to make an informed choice and the right one for you.
All members of the Family Law Team offer an initial, without obligation, telephone call so that clients can discuss the options available to them and can reassure themselves that they can form a good working relationship with their chosen lawyer.
Chambers Review
The Birketts family law team in East Anglia is spread across its offices in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich and Norwich. The firm houses extensive capabilities in financial cases following separation as well as expertise in negotiating prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. The team is regularly instructed on cases involving substantial assets and international elements, with the ability to draw on the expertise of a market-leading corporate team where needed. It demonstrates further strength in handling private children matters, including complex cases concerning mental health issues and alleged abuse. The firm is experienced in collaborative law as well as resolving disputes through mediation.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They have extensive experience in family law and are well versed in the latest legal developments. They provide personalised attention to each case, understanding that every situation is unique."
"The firm is extremely good on complex matters."
"It is useful to be able to use a firm which covers many different aspects of the law, and is therefore able to keep everything under one roof."
"They have extensive experience in family law and are well versed in the latest legal developments. They provide personalised attention to each case, understanding that every situation is unique."
"The firm is extremely good on complex matters."
"It is useful to be able to use a firm which covers many different aspects of the law, and is therefore able to keep everything under one roof."
Notable Practitioners
Sarah Overy advises clients from the firm's Cambridge office on domestic and cross-border family matters, including both Children Act applications and high net worth financial settlements.
"Sarah is very impressive. She pushes for the client but she is very sensible as well - she knows when a case has run its course and needs to be settled."
Chelmsford-based Emma Brunning advises on financial proceedings as well as child arrangement orders relating to divorce and separation. She regularly deals with cases that involve trusts and the valuation of business assets. She is a qualified arbitrator and collaborative lawyer.
"Emma has been exceptional: her legal acumen, coupled with her ability to communicate complex issues clearly and effectively, has been particularly impressive."
"Emma has a calmness that means clients feel very supported by her."
"She is a skilful, astute and collaborative solicitor."
"Emma has shown great empathy and understanding of the personal and emotional challenges involved in my case, providing not only legal support but also reassurance and guidance."
"Emma is very good on detail and does her job very effectively."
Juliet Harvey is an experienced family law practitioner based in Ipswich. She advises on Children Act matters as well as a variety of matrimonial financial cases.
"Juliet is resourceful in her approach."
"Juliet is brilliant: there is nothing she can't handle, and she is really down to earth."
Denise Findlay leads the Birketts family team in Norwich. She has notable experience handling complex financial settlements, often involving property valuations and dissipating assets.
Ranked Lawyers at
Birketts LLP
East Anglia