Family/Matrimonial
UK Guide 2025 : The South
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
01483 791800Chambers Review
Penningtons Manches Cooper has a strong family team in Guildford. The firm is well-versed in handling complex Children Act matters including cases that involve serious issues such as child abduction, parental alienation and alleged sexual harm. It also advises on high-value financial disputes involving corporate assets, trusts and other issues, and is experienced in cases including non-disclosure and cross-border elements. The firm is able to draw on complementary expertise in private client matters to offer a holistic service in traditional litigation as well as more collaborative forms of dispute resolution.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"I have absolutely no doubt in their capabilities. They are client-driven and child-focused."
"This firm is my first choice for all family matters due to the quality of the people and the wealth of experience and expertise housed within it."
"A joined up, thoughtful and careful approach is embedded through the culture at Penningtons, which I think shows in their reputation and results."
"They are highly skilled lawyers who are very personable - a great combination. It's a brilliant team and clients are always well-supported."
"I have absolutely no doubt in their capabilities. They are client-driven and child-focused."
"This firm is my first choice for all family matters due to the quality of the people and the wealth of experience and expertise housed within it."
"A joined up, thoughtful and careful approach is embedded through the culture at Penningtons, which I think shows in their reputation and results."
"They are highly skilled lawyers who are very personable - a great combination. It's a brilliant team and clients are always well-supported."
Notable Practitioners
Consultant Sarah Duckworth has experience handling matrimonial finance matters that are highly complex, including cross-border cases and those requiring consideration of substantial property and business assets.
"Sarah is a very safe pair of hands. She is very sensible and pragmatic."
"Sarah Duckworth is unafraid of giving the client advice that is good for them but may be difficult to hear in order to steer the case towards the best outcome for them."
Veronica Gilmour heads the family law practice at Penningtons Manches Cooper in Guildford. She is experienced in high-value matrimonial finance cases and is also adept at handling Children Act proceedings.
"Veronica's understanding of people and the dynamics of family breakdown is unsurpassed. She is thoroughly dependable and her advice to clients is always realistic and wise."
"Veronica is a brilliant lawyer and it is always a pleasure to work with her."
"Veronica is a natural leader who handles complex financial matters with skill and utter ease."
"Veronica brings a wealth of experience to all her matters."
"A robust, matter of fact lawyer who is respected by all."
Emma Willing advises high net worth clients on a range of family law matters, including substantial financial remedy disputes and complex child arrangements.
"Emma is extremely knowledgeable and personable."
"Emma is incredibly intelligent and a very impressive partner."
"Emma is very clear in her advice and direct with her clients, while also having a bedside manner where the client feels constantly reassured."
Laura Naser is an up-and-coming practitioner with a growing practice in domestic and international family law. She is experienced in advising clients on matrimonial finance, as well as disputes concerning children.
"Laura is very bright, smart and she comes up with dynamic solutions that are creative. She is good at unlocking problems and finding a way forwards."
"Clients really warm to Laura and feel that she is fighting their corner, which she does with equal measures of charm and vigour when required."
"Laura is very strategic in her thinking and is always ten steps ahead in considering how things could be useful down the line. She is sensible and gives very realistic advice to clients."
Bethan Carr is a senior associate who has a strong specialism handling surrogacy arrangements both in the UK and internationally. She also assists clients with a full range of other family law matters concerning divorce, cohabitation and child law.
"Bethan is very careful, considered and puts a lot of work into her cases."
"Bethan has extremely good client-handling skills, and is sensible and realistic with the advice she gives."
"Bethan has a detailed knowledge of surrogacy law and such a warm personality. Her client care is exemplary and even in the worst case she is able to bring that sensitivity."
Ranked Lawyers at
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
The South