Department profile
Birketts LLP

Family/Matrimonial: Mediators

UK Guide 2026 : East Anglia


Birketts LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Birketts LLP

Birketts’ Family Law Team appreciates that the breakdown of a marriage or relationship can be one of the most traumatic events in a person’s life. Our family lawyers are members of Resolution and include accredited specialists, mediators, collaborative practitioners and Family Law Arbitrators who can provide family law advice and support which best suits a client’s particular needs and helps them reach their goals.

We do not only advise clients when their relationships are in trouble. We also specialise in Relationship Agreements which help clients to plan the financial side of their marriage or cohabitation. Prenuptial Agreements are now very common. Our team of family lawyers can advise on all types of relationship agreements.

Some clients visiting us for the first time about their relationship difficulties may have a good idea of the outcome they would like to achieve. Others have no idea what to expect at all. Part of our job is to provide clear family law advice about the various legal processes which are available – mediation, collaboration, constructive negotiation and court proceedings. It is important to understand these different approaches so you are able to make an informed choice and the right one for you.

All members of the Family Law Team offer an initial, without obligation, telephone call so that clients can discuss the options available to them and can reassure themselves that they can form a good working relationship with their chosen lawyer.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Family/Matrimonial: Mediators - East Anglia


What the Team is Known For
The Birketts family law team in East Anglia is spread across its offices in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich and Norwich. The firm houses extensive capabilities in financial cases following separation as well as expertise in negotiating prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. The team is regularly instructed on cases involving substantial assets and international elements, with the ability to draw on the expertise of a market-leading corporate team where needed. It demonstrates further strength in handling private children matters, including complex cases concerning mental health issues and alleged abuse. The firm is experienced in collaborative law as well as resolving disputes through mediation.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team is efficient and conscientious, with great local knowledge of the courts and comprehensive legal knowledge and experience.

    Family/Matrimonial: Mediators respondentUK
  • The Birkett team has excellent knowledge, backed up by expertise in other departments.

    Family/Matrimonial: Mediators respondentUK
  • I have nothing but good experiences working with Birketts.

    Family/Matrimonial: Mediators respondentUK
  • The team work extremely well together, and the case management is handled robustly and in a timely and cost-effective manner.

    Family/Matrimonial: Mediators respondentUK
  • The team provided excellent and professional service throughout. They are very supportive, and questions and queries were replied to efficiently.

    Family/Matrimonial: Mediators respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • SpotlightSarah Overy
    SpotlightSarah Overy

    Sarah Overy

    Sarah Overy advises clients on domestic and cross-border family matters, including both Children Act applications and high net worth financial settlements.

    • Sarah is good at taking a step back and seeing the broader view of the matter; her experience is colossal.

      Family/Matrimonial: Mediators respondentUK
    • Sarah is an accomplished mediator. Patient, kind and supportive, she clearly cares about her clients and provides strong, sensible advice.

      Family/Matrimonial: Mediators respondentUK
  • Band 3Emma Brunning
    Band 3Emma Brunning

    Emma Brunning

    Emma Brunning advises on financial proceedings as well as child arrangement orders relating to divorce and separation. She regularly deals with cases that involve trusts and the valuation of business assets. She is a qualified arbitrator and collaborative lawyer.

    • I have felt very comfortable talking and working with Emma.

      Family/Matrimonial: Mediators respondentUK
  • Band 3Juliet Harvey
    Band 3Juliet Harvey

    Juliet Harvey

    Juliet Harvey is an experienced family law practitioner who advises on Children Act matters as well as a variety of matrimonial financial cases.

  • Band 4Denise Findlay
    Band 4Denise Findlay

    Denise Findlay

    Denise Findlay has notable experience handling complex financial settlements, often involving property valuations and dissipating assets.

    • Denise provided excellent service and total understanding of my situation.

      Family/Matrimonial: Mediators respondentUK
    • Denise's handling of this very complex situation was professional and so competent; she understood the situation fully, but with a very empathetic manner.

      Family/Matrimonial: Mediators respondentUK
  • SpotlightKatie Beaven
    SpotlightKatie Beaven

    Katie Beaven

    Katie Beaven is experienced in high-value divorces, including those involving significant assets, pensions and farming businesses.

    • Katie is very thorough and fights her clients' corner; she is a robust lawyer.

      Family/Matrimonial: Mediators respondentUK
    • Katie is down to earth, direct and empathetic; she really knows her stuff.

      Family/Matrimonial: Mediators respondentUK

Ranked Individuals at Birketts LLP (7)

East Anglia

Members

Provided by Birketts LLP

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