‘Very attentive to clients’ needs’, Ince & Co provides ‘a suitably appropriate service’ across the spectrum of family matters, from wealth preservation advice by dint of pre- and post-nuptial agreements, through to financial and children matters arising following the breakdown of a marriage. Team head Susan Williams  is ’empathetic yet incisive’, qualities which endear her to clients in what are often highly charged and emotional situations.

Drawing upon the expertise of a deep bench of lawyers with vast experience in the field, Cardiff-based family law boutique Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice is recognised as 'the go-to family law practice in South Wales for any high value/complex financial remedies case'. The 'extremely experienced and confident' Melanie Hamer and Thea Hughes, who 'inspires confidence in everything she does', are key to the firm's success in handling high-profile financial remedy cases, as is the 'calm and empathetic' David James , who also handles high-net-worth Schedule 1 Children Act cases. A 'tenacious negotiator', Sarah Wyburn  delivers her advice with 'care and precision', ensuring the best possible outcomes for clients engaged in complex and high-value financial cases, or in the context of civil partnership and same-sex marriages. The team is rounded out at a partner level by the 'outstanding' Rebecca Knight , who will 'always go the extra mile for her clients', who include professional footballers, in complex financial remedy matters, as well as to clients seeking guidance in relation to surrogacy law.

The 'friendly, approachable and empathetic' Bridgend-based team at Berry Smith provides 'professional and cost-effective advice’ to clients, including a growing number of HNWIs engaged in complex financial remedy and children cases, often involving multijurisdictional aspects. Although she fights very hard for her clients,  'knowledgeable and experienced' team head Katie McColgan has a collaborative approach to settling matters, displaying an eagerness to resolve issues utilising mediation and to thereby avoid an unnecessary emotional turmoil, if possible. 'Accessible and empathetic' senior associate Benjamin Delve  regularly utilises his higher rights of audience accreditation to good effect for clients, particularly on formative hearings.

Although it has a relatively small offering compared to some of its peers, Geldards LLP‘s Cardiff-based team punches above its weight, in part by virtue of its ability to leverage complementary areas across the firm’s full-service offering, including private client, tax and property. The team is headed by Fiona Apthorpe.

Combining an ‘innovative’ use of technology with deep knowledge of the underlying law, Cardiff-based boutique Grant Stephens Family Law continues to go from strength-to-strength, advising clients on an increasing number of the highest value matters progressing through the courts. ‘Fantastic’ name partner Grant Stephens has a ‘really warm approach with his clients’, including many high-net-worth-individuals on financial remedy cases often involving assets held abroad. Herself an accredited mediator, Lisa Evans also excels in handling high-value cases and provides ‘pragmatic and efficient’ advice with an eye to resolving matters through ADR, if possible. Matthew Wells was promoted to partner in November 2022 and provides ‘sensible straight forward advice’ across a range of matters including financial remedy proceedings as well as complex child arrangements.

Based in Newport but by no means limited to the confines of the local geography, Harding Evans LLP handles work for local clients, as well as those from further afield, often in matters involving diverse assets, including farms, limited companies/partnerships and pensions. Drawing upon her 'thorough knowledge of high level business and commercial finance', team head Kate Thomas excels in high-value cases, as well as in private law children proceedings, where her 'very sympathetic manner’ shines through.

Leveraging the expertise of a strong standalone team, as well as being able to draw from complementary resources in surrounding expertise within the firm, including from personal injury/court of protection and private wealth, Hugh James provides a ‘helpful and supportive’ service to mid to high-net-worth-individuals (including some sporting personalities) on divorce and financial remedy proceedings. Belinda Moseley ‘exudes a calm approach’ for clients in matrimonial finances and private children disputes. Consultant Mark Powell has a notable public law child practice and regularly acts on behalf of local authorities in South Wales and the West of England. Former practice head Adrienne Donneky left the firm in November 2023.

 

 

 

Well-established Neath-based firm Hutchinson Thomas has a 'good local reputation' across a range of family law matters, including financial and Children Act matters. Senior partner Robert Williams has extensive experience in complex financial remedy cases and is 'particularly adept at finding practical solutions to difficult situations'. Under Williams' mentorship, recently qualified solicitor Kiani Eccleston  has also gained a strong reputation and is, according to one commentator: 'a rising star in financial remedy and Children Act proceedings far beyond her years'. Debbie Richards heads up the firm's childcare department that has forged a particularly strong reputation handling public law children cases, regularly acting for guardians and relatives, as well as local authorities.

With offices spread across South and West Wales, JCP Solicitors is well-positioned to represent local clients across a wide range of their family needs, from fairly conventional financial remedy matters, through to more complex/niche matters, including as it relates to surrogacy law. Caerphilly-based team head Jill Bulteel is adept at resolving matters involving complex financial assets, including farms and businesses, in addition to handling private children's proceedings. Carmarthen-based children law specialist Angela Killa was recently promoted partner and has strong ties with West Wales clients, where she is able to conduct proceedings and receive instructions in English and Welsh. Laurie Taylor  joined JNP Legal in November 2022.

Having grown year-on-year since it was established in 2018, five-strong Cardiff-based family law boutique Lux Family Law has made a strong imprint on the local market, as well as further afield, including London, where it picks up both standalone and referral work across a wide range of family matters. Founding partner Charlotte Leyshon has been pivotal to the success experienced by the firm and has a ‘first-class reputation for dealing with high value/complex financial remedies cases’, often involving a consideration of multi-jurisdictional aspects. Recently promoted to partner, Lucy Morris  regularly assists Leyshon on high-net-worth divorce work, as well as carving out a niche for herself in relation to matrimonial work involving Court of Protection issues. Solicitor Emily Borghese  ‘has an old head on young shoulders’ and is noted as ‘an up-and-coming family law talent’ in spite of her relatively junior status.

 

 

Increasingly expanding beyond its Newport roots, and with a new office in Cardiff, Watkins & Gunn Limited attracts work from all over South Wales, and is one of the few local firms with two distinct sub-groups handling both finance work and children matters. Sophie Hughes heads up the finance team and is noted for her collaborative approach to resolving often complex financial assets, including those with an international dimension. Kate Roberts  leads the childcare group, work which includes both private and public matters.

Founded in 2019, Cardiff-based boutique First Line Family Law continues to grow its presence in the market across a range of matters, including complex financial remedy mandates involving foreign assets. Richard Davies  and Ceri Boland  head the group, and as well as advising on financial remedy matters also both have particular expertise at handling Children Act cases.

Led from its Wrexham headquarters by the 'approachable' Nathan Wright, GHP Legal provides a 'thorough, efficient and competent’ service to clients throughout North Wales across a range of matrimonial finance and children law proceedings. Natalie Roberts has 'excellent knowledge and skills', particularly as it relates to children public law cases, regularly receiving a high proportion of her instructions from children’s guardians.

With ‘a breadth of experience in all aspects of family law’, Gomer Williams & Co has a strong reputation among South Wales clients, as a result of the ‘very client-focused and responsive’ advice that it provides in relation to both private and public law matters. Llanelli-based team head Lucy Williams displays a ‘formidable no-nonsense approach’ and regularly helps vulnerable clients involved in complex care proceedings. Associate Geraint Fry  displays ‘genuine empathy’ and is ‘building an enviable reputation with a busy practice in matrimonial finance’.  

 

The ‘hardworking, conscientious and accessible’ team at Harrison Clark Rickerbys ‘delivers sound advice‘ to clients across a broad spectrum of matters including divorce, financial remedy and children. ‘Knowledgeable and approachable’ team head Richard Scott is particularly noted for his work on behalf of public sector workers (including members of the police force) going through divorce and financial remedy proceedings.

The ‘personable and approachable’ team at Howells Solicitors provides a ‘cost-effective service’ to local clients across the gamut of family law matters, ranging from divorce/separation, financial settlements and contact disputes. ‘Very professional’ team head Gerard Griffiths is noted for his collaborative approach, which aims to settle matters utilising ADR methods, including mediation if at all possible.

Reinvigorated by the arrival of 'very knowledgeable and compassionate' Marjha Golding-Evans from Irwin Mitchell in March 2021, RDP Law's family practice is increasingly visible throughout the Gwent region and beyond, providing 'a bespoke and exclusive service’ to high-net-worth individuals, as well as its raft of farming landowners. Able to tap into the broader expertise of the firm's private client, commercial and property teams should the need arise, Golding-Evans is particularly accomplished at advising on divorces involving diverse pools of assets including complex business structures and trusts.

National family law specialists Stowe Family Law LLP‘s nascent Cardiff offering has quickly gained traction in the market, particularly for South Wales-based high-net-worth individuals. The scope of the work is wide, from children matters and pre-nuptial agreements, through to financial issues consequent upon divorce cohabitation disputes. The ‘friendly and helpful’ team notably includes ‘empathetic yet firm’ senior associate Lauren Roche. Former practice head Victoria Cannon left the firm in November 2023.