Disputes concerning arrangements for children following a relationship breakdown can be immensely stressful for parents, and for the children themselves where they are aware of disagreements between their parents.
Our specialist children’s team has extensive experience working with parents to assist them to navigate the arrangements for children following relationship breakdown and/or to help resolve what may feel like intractable disputes.
We will advise parents with a view to resolving arrangements for their children, where this can be achieved. If agreement is not possible, we will guide and support parents through non-court dispute resolution options, such as arbitration, and/or court proceedings to enable disputes to be resolved as quickly as possible in the best interests of children.
To achieve this, we work closely with the best children’s professionals in the country (and internationally) to ensure that disputes are addressed as swiftly as possible, however complicated.
Headed by Alex Verdan KC, who is one of the country’s leading children KC’s and internationally recognised advocate in children’s disputes, the Stewarts’ children’s team provides clients with a unique one-stop offering, where all elements of their case, to include strategic advice, advocacy and judicial experience, are provided within the team, from the very first meeting through to the resolution of their case.
Providing clients with a seamless and unparalleled service, the Stewarts’ children team consists of the following:
• Toby Atkinson
• Carly Kinch
• Sophie Chapman
In addition to the above, several of our senior partners also deal with private children work including head of department Stephen Foster, Emma Hatley and Sam Longworth.
The following partners do a significant amount of private children work, alongside their finance practices:
Alex Verdan KC
Alex specialises in complex and serious children cases, in particular those involving intractable child arrangements disputes, serious emotional abuse and relocations.
Carly Kinch
Carly is described by her clients as “tenacious”, “hard-working” and “incredibly supportive”. Carly was recently nominated for the Spear’s Wealth Management ‘Young Rising Star’ award.
Sophie Chapman
Sophie advises clients on a broad range of family law issues, she has particular experience representing clients in cases involving inherited wealth, family businesses and complex issues of valuation.
Toby Atkinson
Toby was recently praised by The Legal 500 as “extraordinarily able and extremely bright”, who “works tirelessly and efficiently for his clients, always looking to resolve issues if possible while preparing to fight if there is no negotiated settlement to be found”.
The team also has the benefit of two highly regarded specialist children practitioners:
Trevona Hettiarachchi
Trevona advises on all aspects of family law, with extensive experience and proficiency dealing with complex children matters such as those that include multifaceted court proceedings, as well as settling arrangements for children and finances on the separation of parents.
Rosie Stewart
Rosie specialises in children law and represents clients in a wide range of complex private family law matters including cross-border cases, contact disputes, international relocations, cases involving allegations of abuse and alienation as well as financial provision for children. She is recognised in Chambers as an Associate to Watch and described as “very good at client care, bright and pragmatic.”
The team are supported by top rated associates:
Nicola Hogg
Nicola represents clients in high-value, international divorce and family law matters. Nicola’s cases regularly involve inherited wealth, business interests, trusts and offshore assets.
Lucy Swinton
Lucy advises on all areas of family law. She undertakes a full range of financial work and regularly assists on complex high value financial cases. She also has extensive experience of advising parents on contact arrangements for children following the breakdown of a relationship.
Sophie Parris
Sophie advises on all aspects of private family law, including the resolution of complex financial issues upon divorce for high net worth individuals and disputes regarding child arrangements.
Felicia Munde
Felicia advises on all aspects of private family law and has a particular focus on international children law. She represents clients in a wide range of complex family law matters relating to children, including leave to remove and abduction cases, wardship, residence and contact issues. Felicia was recognised in The Legal 500 rankings as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ in 2022 and was ‘Highly Commended’ in the Family Law Awards in 2023.
Sophie Arrowsmith
Sophie advises on all aspects of family law, with a particular focus on matter involving children following separation.
Francesca Carrington-Hughes
Francesca advises clients in all areas of family law, particularly complex financial cases for high net worth clients arising on the breakdown of their marriage or relationship and private children law disputes.
Fiona Porter
Fiona has experience in many different areas of family law specialising in assisting high net worth individuals upon a marital or relationship breakdown, in particular in relation to complex financial and private children matters often with an international element.
Katie Cruickshank
Katie has particular experience in high value cases across a broad range of family matters including complex financial disputes upon marital breakdown, child arrangements, Family Law Act matters and pre-nuptial agreements.
If you require assistance, please contact us or request a call from one of our lawyers.
"They have star performers, strength in depth and the support of first-class supporting departments. That's the mark of a top-tier firm"
Chambers High Net Worth
"Stewarts' divorce and family team is a litigation powerhouse that has a top array of vastly experienced lawyers"
The Legal 500
"Highly sought after by high-profile clients and ultra high net worth individuals. Well versed in handling matrimonial proceedings with international elements, complex matrimonial finance matters, private children law and cohabitation disputes"
Chambers
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