About

Provided by Payne Hicks Beach LLP

Payne Hicks Beach Family includes some of the most highly regarded practitioners in children law and has been involved in some of the most high profile and cutting-edge cases in the children law field. 


We are highly experienced in advising parents and acting on their behalf in relation to all legal matters concerning children, from applications for child arrangement orders to dealing with internal and international relocation applications and are accustomed to liaising with practitioners in other jurisdictions. We are experienced in dealing with child abduction and in public law cases where social services have become involved. We also have a well established modern families division focusing on surrogacy, adoption and Court of Protection work.  


We understand that disputes concerning children are delicate and emotional that require sensitive handling. Our priority in most cases will be to seek a resolution without recourse to the courts but we are equally well versed in pursuing cases vigorously through the courts when needed. We recognise that every family is unique and that a bespoke solution to meet particular circumstances is essential. We endeavour to conduct matters relating to children with the minimum amount of acrimony, recognising at all times that after proceedings the familial relationships will remain.


We put our client's best interests at the heart of everything we do and this is never more important than in the highly emotive arena of children law.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Family/Children Law - London (Firms)
3
Band 3
What the Team is Known For

The family team at Payne Hicks Beach advise clients on private children matters in addition to handling high-value financial disputes. The team garners recognition in particular for its cross-border work, including Hague Convention proceedings, as well as its focus on highly contentious Children Act cases.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Harriet Errington
2
Harriet Errington
2
Band 2

Harriet Errington advises on a wide range of children law matters, including international relocation and abduction cases. She also has specialist knowledge in surrogacy law.

"Harriet's attention to detail is excellent and she is extraordinarily good with clients, punchy in her correspondence and robust when she needs to be."

"Working with Harriet is like having your own personal legal superhero. She's strategic, kind and incredibly supportive."

"She's got this calm, reassuring vibe that just puts you at ease. It's like having a friend in your corner, someone who's not only wicked smart but also genuinely cares about what you're going through."

Sarah Williams
2
Sarah Williams
2
Band 2

Sarah Williams heads the modern family team at Payne Hicks Beach and is deeply knowledgeable on the law surrounding fertility, surrogacy and adoption. In addition to this, she advises clients on private child disputes concerning contact, residence and welfare issues.

"She is one of the go-to lawyers in the country for anything alternative family related. She is very efficient and she sees the bigger picture."

"Sarah brings the qualities and experience of her time at the Bar and employs it very appropriately in her position as partner. She has exceptional client care."

"Sarah is extremely adept at dealing with tricky modern family matters. She is very much at the cutting edge of case law and her client care is phenomenal."

"Sarah wears her heart on her sleeve and she works incredibly hard for her client. She really goes the extra mile for them."

Ranked Lawyers at
Payne Hicks Beach LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

London (Firms)

Family/Children Law

Harriet Errington
2
Harriet Errington
2
Band 2
Sarah Williams
2
Sarah Williams
2
Band 2

Members

Provided by Payne Hicks Beach LLP

Alex Curran

Aoife Devereaux

Ben Parry-Smith

Camellia Buckmaster

Charlotte Skea-Strachan

Evelyn Collins

Fiona Shackleton

Isabella Savill

Katie Parkes

Kelly Gerrard

Laura Hallahan

Luke Scarratt

Marina Fitzalan Howard

Matthew Booth

Nick Manners

Head of Department

Orlaith Devereaux

Philip McGuirk

Rachel Tiffen

Simon Beccle

Victoria Hingston