Frank Prior | Partner | Head of Family | Paris Smith

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Frank Prior

Partner - Head of Family, Southampton

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My experience

I am a Partner and Head of the Family team. My expertise is in:

divorce, separation and relationship breakdown;
financial and property claims;
children; and
collaborative law.

As a member of Resolution I deal with all aspects of family law, specialising in divorce cases involving owner managed businesses, complex facts and/or high net worth individuals nationally and with an international element. I am also collaboratively trained.

I have a well established and successful practice in dealing with divorce cases involving very high value assets, companies, leaders in business, farms and equestrian centres, public figures, international sports personalities, media personalities and leading medical professionals.

I am recognised in the Best Lawyers UK 2024 edition (and indeed have been since 2009) for Family Law.

Frank Prior is listed as a Leading Lawyer by Wiselaw

How I’ve helped our clients

A source says 'Frank Prior is a master strategist. From the moment the case comes to him he is analysing how each aspect of the case should be approached so as to ensure the client's case is presented at its best. He is an excellent lawyer and somehow knows instinctively which points to pursue and which to leave.'

Legal 500 2025 Edition - Client Testimonials

A source says "He's not fazed by anything. He's very down to earth and experienced with big numbers. His clients like his robust approach", another says "Frank is very thorough, collaborative and clued-in."

Chambers Legal Directory 2024

Referees say "Frank Prior has a great manner with the client and is very adept at looking at all angles" and "Frank Prior is an extremely experienced, charismatic partner at Paris Smith who is a first-rate lawyer. He gets brilliant results and is adored by clients and opponents alike."

Legal 500 2024 Edition

Referees say "Dealing with Frank is always a pleasurable experience. He is good-humoured and sees the big picture" and "Frank is a really fantastic lawyer and is technically competent."

Chambers & Partners 2023 - Referee Comments

A source states "Frank Prior is a clear leader in the field. He is very commercially oriented and knows when to pursue an issue and when to leave it. He has long experience and is highly respected. He is capable of adeptly handling even the largest cases up to tens of millions pounds."

Legal 500 2023 - Referee Comments

Sources say "Frank Prior is a very experienced, highly able solicitor"; and "Very commercially minded and a tough negotiator".

Chambers and Partners Legal Directory 2022

One source says "Frank Prior is a great performer who provides excellent client care and always works very hard for his clients". Another says "I appreciate Frank Prior for his sense of humour and pragmatic approach", Another source points out "Frank Prior is a tough litigator and negotiator and is well used to dealing with complicated financial remedy claims".

Legal 500 - 2022 Edition

Frank Prior regularly handles financial disputes following divorce and separation and is also adept at drafting prenuptial agreements involving substantial wealth and high-value assets. According to a client, "his grasp of the complexity of issues is impressive and his support has been invaluable to me."

Chambers & Partners Legal Directory 2021

‘Frank Prior is very experienced and a joy to work with. He has an entirely commercial approach, always acting proportionately and is tactically very astute. He has excellent client handling skills and achieves some brilliant results for his clients.’

Legal 500 - 2021, Tier 1

Frank was recommended to me several years ago by two other highly regarded divorce lawyer friends; their praise and recommendation of Frank was and is well founded. From all I have seen, heard and know, he cares deeply about his clients and successfully getting them their very best results. He is genuinely disarmingly charming with both sides, in even the most challenging situations and believes in pursuing as constructive and collaborative a route as is possible for all. It is a joy to see him negotiate and he has sharp wit that makes it even more of a pleasure working with him. I in turn have no hesitation in recommending him to other friends or associates. Top man, top lawyer.

Name withheld

Frank is one of the best Family Law practitioners in the South. He has a down to earth approach to cases and manages to maintain a well-honed sense of humour which he deploys to good effect when appropriate in order to calm difficult situations. He is not a 'point scorer' and never loses sight of the need to avoid the risk and expense often associated with contested court proceedings, whenever possible.

Name withheld

The advice given was clear and gave information on potential outcomes and the cost implications.

IG - Matrimonial Case

Frank is exactly the type of person you want on your side when dealing with the stressful time of divorce. He combines the right personal qualities with professional expertise to ensure that his clients are fully supported throughout the process. I would recommend him without any hesitation.

Name withheld

Southampton: 023 8160 0702

Winchester: 01926 941 021