Family/Matrimonial
UK Guide 2025 : North East
Band 1
About
Provided by David Gray Solicitors
The award winning Family Law team at David Gray are one of the largest in the region and specialise in:
- Adoption
- Arrangements for Children Whose Parents have Separated
- Care Proceedings and Social Services involvement with your Children
- Child Abduction
- Child Support
- Choosing Options Together
- Civil Partnership Dissolution
- Cohabitation Agreements
- Cohabitation Disputes
- Collaborative Law
- Court of Protection
- Divorce and Separation
- Domestic Abuse and Harassment
- Family and Friends Carers (Kinship Carers)
- Finance in divorce- urgent applications
- Financial Settlements
- Forced Marriages
- Gender Recognition
- Grandparents
- Mediation
- Premarital Agreements
- Separation Agreements
- Surrogacy
The team undertake both Private Client and Public work from offices in Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields, led by Head of Department Lucy Mead and Managing Partner Elspeth Thomson.
Chambers Review
David Gray Solicitors has a well-respected team that demonstrates expertise in dealing with divorce proceedings and associated financial remedies, along with other family disputes. The firm further stands out for its experience in handling complex child matters, including cases concerning abuse and non-accidental injuries. It can provide the full range of alternative dispute resolution services, including family mediation, arbitration and collaborative law processes. The firm can offer clients a multidisciplinary service along with a strong ancillary network of non-legal support services and other professionals.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The whole team was exceptional - everyone worked together. They went over and above all the time."
"David Gray Solicitors are always spot-on with their advice and predictions."
"The team was very helpful and the communication was excellent."
"The whole team was exceptional - everyone worked together. They went over and above all the time."
"David Gray Solicitors are always spot-on with their advice and predictions."
"The team was very helpful and the communication was excellent."
Notable Practitioners
Managing partner Elspeth Thomson is well respected in the market for her extensive experience advising on both public and private children law, including complex issues surrounding adoption and surrogacy.
"Elspeth Thomson is intelligent and pragmatic. She gives advice clearly, sympathetically and in a practical way."
Lesley Monkhouse is well regarded for her ability to handle difficult public children matters, including cases involving sexual abuse and non-accidental injuries.
"Lesley Monkhouse is very good with clients. She puts them at ease, reassures them about the process and doesn't give them false hope."
"Lesley was able to digest a lot of factual information and get to the important issues. She was very impressive."
"Lesley is universally respected for her expertise and has exceptionally sound judgement."
Claire Hunter regularly undertakes complex care proceedings and has particular experience representing children.
"Claire gets to grips with complex matters quickly and is approachable and easy to contact."
"Claire is able to digest high volumes of information quickly and represents clients to the best of her ability."
Lucy Mead is head of family law at David Gray Solicitors and is noted for her experience advising on complex financial settlements, including those involving businesses and assets. She also acts for guardians and children in care proceedings.
"Lucy's knowledge and ability to explain complex issues is fantastic."
Ranked Lawyers at
David Gray Solicitors
North East
Members
Provided by David Gray Solicitors
Ben Cairns
Beth Tilley
Claire Hunter
Gael Phillips
Jeanette Steuer
Lisa Russell
Head of Department
Rebecca Tonkin
Sukhi Patter