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Services

Life can present all sorts of situations in which you require expert assistance; some happy and some sad. Whatever situation you face, your family law solicitor needs to do more than take the time to understand your personal situation. They should be right there with you, every step of the way; an expert guide, a strategic thinker and importantly, an empathetic advisor helping you to guide your way through whatever chapter in your life you currently face.

Managing difficult situations

With a team of family law experts we can help manage difficult situations, protect your future and help find a solution that works for you including:

divorce and relationship breakdown: finding the best solution to enable you to move on with your life and help you fully understand your options and what your entitlements are;
private children cases: helping you navigate the emotional difficulties that a disagreement about a child can create; and
keeping you safe: giving you the right powers to protect a child you are concerned about, or if you are in a dangerous situation yourself.

Protecting your future

Protecting your finances: helping you put arrangements in place to protect your business, income, inheritance or pension if your relationship breaks down
Planning with your partner: advising on prenuptial, postnuptial and living together agreements so you have the proper protection in place

Finding a solution that works for you

You will want to overcome any concerns, issues and difficulties you face as efficiently and quickly as possible. How to do this will not be the same for everybody.

Different personalities mean different approaches are required and we can work with you to decide on the best choice for you, which may be:

mediation;
collaborative law;
arbitration;
private financial dispute resolution hearing/early neutral evaluation; or
court application.

We will always explain what each method involves and take the time to advise you as to the pros and cons of each in your particular circumstances.

How we’ve helped our clients

“Paris Smith is by far the largest and strongest team in Hampshire, and possibly the south. It is set up like a London magic circle firm and is packed with stars. As a result, the team is able to provide a premier service to all levels, including very high net worth individuals. Top-rated in every respect. ”

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Chambers and Partners Legal Directory 2021

The Family Law team is known to be a standout firm representing high net worth individuals in matrimonial disputes concerning trusts, inherited wealth and property, with additional expertise in drafting high-value nuptial agreements. Also has experience in handling highly acrimonious private children matters. Offers litigation expertise and also provides mediation services for clients seeking alternatives to litigation, as well as collaboratively trained lawyers.

One source lauds the team’s “very helpful and skilled lawyers,” adding: “We trust their advice and receive timely replies.”

Another interviewee says: “The lawyers are technically able and work constructively.”

Legal 500 Directory 2022 – Top Tier

The family law practice at Paris Smith LLP takes on a host of high profile mandates for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. The team is especially well regarded for its capabilities in complex financial remedy matters, where multiple business, property, and financial interests are concerned – often with a multi-jurisdictional aspect. The team is jointly led by Frank Prior and Huw Miles, who are based in the firm’s Southampton and Winchester offices respectively. Prior draws on decades of experience handling matrimonial finance proceedings with an international aspect. In addition to running the Winchester office, Miles has expertise in nuptial agreements and cohabitee disputes. New partner Lisa Bray concentrates on cases with a corporate element, while Sarah Passemard and Rachel Osgood are further key contacts for high-net-worth cases. Heather Souter is noted for her agricultural sector knowledge. Neil Davies is also recommended.

Clients say:

“The family finance team at Paris Smith is the clear leader in the field in Hampshire and the south. It has great strength in depth and is capable of handling cases both of very high-net worth and lesser values with the same degree of care and expertise”
“Solid, reliable team and experienced in dealing with a wide range of family law issues including financial remedy, Children Act and Schedule 1”
“Large, very well-established and well thought of regional firm who are a match for any City firm. They have a superb family law department and a number of excellent fee earners both at partner level and associate level”