Family/Children Law
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 4
About
Provided by Goodman Ray
Goodman Ray is the boutique children and family firm. The firm has a reputation for excellence in all fields of children and family work. They are one of the few firms, with solid expertise in finances, private children, international issues, adoption, fertility, modern family structures, public law, and domestic abuse. They remain able to offer advice in all areas due to an ongoing commitment to publicly funded clients, alongside high and ultra-high net worth clients.
In 2022 the firm moved to offices at 9 Gough Square, in the heart of London’s legal centre, a stone’s throw away from the Royal Courts of Justice and the Central Family Court. Their new offices provide conference and meeting rooms, suitable for remote Court hearings, meetings, and an open-plan area to host seminars, training events and to encourage collaborative working. Goodman Ray opened a second office in Brighton following a significant increase in work on the South Coast, with a permanent address a few minutes from the Family Court.
The firm has a strong litigation background, alongside an excellent track record of negotiating and settling cases. The team are very client focused and are constructive in their approach; it benefits from having solicitors, mediators, and collaborative lawyers in the team, whilst members of the firm also sit as members of the judiciary.
Chambers Review
The team at Goodman Ray advises on the full range of children law with notable focus on cross-border disputes. The firm has particular experience in advising on Hague Convention proceedings and also advises on public care matters that have an international element.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team was very thorough and responsive. They were quick to reassure me and to guide me whenever I contacted them in a panic, which was a real boon."
"The team at Goodman Ray is comprehensive, thoughtful and committed to doing the best for the client"
"The team was very thorough and responsive. They were quick to reassure me and to guide me whenever I contacted them in a panic, which was a real boon."
"The team at Goodman Ray is comprehensive, thoughtful and committed to doing the best for the client"
Notable Practitioners
Janet Broadley is an expert mediator and litigator with vast experience in international child abduction, including cases concerning both Hague and non-Hague jurisdictions. She also regularly represents parents in cross-border residence and relocation disputes.
"A go-to lawyer to intervene in child abduction cases. She has a very strong reputation in this space."
"She is committed to ensuring that children's voices are properly heard and their interests safeguarded."
"Janet is brilliant - she never gives up on a case and fights until the last for her clients."
"Her experience in international children law is second to none."
Kevin Skinner has a wide-ranging children law practice with significant experience in cross-border work. He frequently advises on jurisdictional and relocation disputes as well as international abduction and care proceedings that have international aspects.
"Kevin is a master tactician and very well-regarded for international children work."
"His breadth of experience allows him to look at the case from all angles and he really fights for his clients."
"He is extremely thorough, provides sound legal advice, has excellent client care skills and is exceptional in applying legal principle."
"Kevin shows excellent judgement in his cases, knowing which arguments will be most effective."
"He is highly committed to his clients and pursues their cases ferociously and with total commitment."
Jemma Dally draws praise for her expert handling of both domestic and international matters related to adoption and surrogacy. She is also adept at fertility cases and family matters with immigration elements.
"Jemma is the stand out solicitor for complex adoption, parentage and surrogacy disputes. There is nothing she doesn't know about this work."
"Jemma is fearlessly bright, incredibly dedicated and has the ability to innovate to an extent that few others can replicate."
"She is brilliant for the depth of her knowledge and the creativity of her approach to cases."
Ranked Lawyers at
Goodman Ray
London (Firms)