Department profile
Harper Macleod LLP

Family/Matrimonial

UK Guide 2026 : Scotland

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Harper Macleod LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Harper Macleod LLP

Our Family Law team is one of the largest of its kind Scotland. It is actively involved in many key cases shaping the development of family law. Our experienced and approachable lawyers can handle all types of enquiries but are becoming recognised for having particular specialist expertise in cases with an insolvency element and child relocation cases, with clients seeking to instruct the team on the basis of reputation in these areas. We are more commonly instructed in particularly high value or complex financial provision cases, including actions in the Court of Session. We have a growing 'Modern Families' practice advising on family creation including surrogacy, assisted reproduction law and adoption services. There are five qualified mediators in the team, offering clients an alternative to court proceedings.

Our team has a unique, Scotland-wide footprint with specialist family lawyers based throughout the country in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Elgin and Lerwick. This allows us to ensure a local offering where needed, delivering a fast, responsive service to clients.

In addition, our team holds of 15 Law Society of Scotland accreditations including one colleague who holds all three family law specialisms, namely: Family Law, Child Law and Family Mediation.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Family/Matrimonial - Scotland

Band 3

What the Team is Known For
Harper Macleod is recognised for its broad coverage of family matters, offering expertise in divorces, cohabitation claims and child relocation matters along with prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. The team in Glasgow displays considerable capabilities in cross-border cases and offers trained collaborative lawyers and mediators, in addition to skilled litigators. It also has experience in fertility law and associated issues, including adoption, surrogacy and assisted conception.
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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They have very sensible and pragmatic lawyers who are a pleasure to deal with.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

  • From the start, I was treated with kindness and respect and at all times I was reassured and supported, which relieved the stress for me.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

  • They have well-rounded knowledge and experience in this field.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

  • Harper Macleod have a presence in a number of locations across Scotland, and the team are friendly and approachable.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Jenny Smith
    Jenny Smith

    Jenny Smith

    Jenny Smith advises on financial provision issues related to divorce and separation, often involving complex business assets and intra-UK jurisdictional aspects.

    • Jenny has been a rock.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

    • She takes a very careful analytical approach, has a good eye for the detail and has a great manner with clients.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

    • I think that she is excellent and that the level of care she gives clients is very careful and focused.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
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  • Karen Gibbons
    Karen Gibbons

    Karen Gibbons

    Karen Gibbons advises across a broad range of family matters, including divorce, cohabitation claims, nuptial agreements and child arrangements. She is an accredited mediator and trained collaborative lawyer.

    • She's great to work with.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

    • She is a strong and reputable practitioner.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

    • Karen is very experienced.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
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  • Alexis Harper
    Alexis Harper

    Alexis Harper

    Alexis Harper advises clients on divorce and financial provision, with notable strength in both court and ADR proceedings. She also has expertise in wealth protection such as pre- and postnuptial agreements.

    • She has excellent technical knowledge, is very robust in fighting for her client's best interest and provides very clear correspondence.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

    • She is very easy to deal with and constructive when dealing with difficult clients. She stands her ground and is very resolution-oriented.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

    • Alexis is good to deal with and quite communicative. She is also able to see the bigger picture in terms of her economic approach.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

    • She ensures that all of our the ducks are aligned so that we're ready for the unpredictability of the other side.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Harper Macleod LLP (3)

Scotland

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