Family/Matrimonial
UK Guide 2025 : Thames Valley
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
01865 722106About
Provided by Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Our family law department offers the highest quality of service to our clients, stemming from the experience and talent of outstanding family lawyers who are nationally and internationally acknowledged as leaders in their field.
We act in some of the leading cases in England and Wales representing clients including professionals, entrepreneurs, wealthy individuals, landowners, those in the public eye, or for their partners.
Our team is committed to providing clients with an unparalleled level of service in a compassionate, timely and cost effective manner from our offices in London, Oxford, Reading and Guildford. Our skills include constructive negotiation, a full range of family dispute resolution services and robust and rigorous litigation where required.
We work closely with the firm’s highly regarded private client team on complex onshore and offshore tax and trust issues, as well as lifetime and succession planning. We have significant experience in disputes between unmarried couples, the ground breaking issues surrounding surrogacy, “alternative families” and complex parenting arrangements.
Six members of our team are fellows of the prestigious International Academy of Family Lawyers. We are at the very forefront of those who advise on international family law issues including “forum shopping” or jurisdiction disputes as well as international marital agreements and cases involving cross-border disputes about children.
Chambers Review
Penningtons Manches Cooper has a strong regional presence with standout teams in both Reading and Oxford. The firm often handles cases with a strong international element, including cross-border disputes in which children are involved, advising on care arrangements, changes of residence and Schedule 1 applications. The firm frequently advises high net worth individuals on complex financial settlements, involving inheritance issues, trusts and complicated business aspects. It is able to offer alternative dispute resolution options, including mediation.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Their communication is very good and they are able to have a dialogue."
"Penningtons Manches Cooper are notably friendly and committed to their clients."
"Penningtons Manches Cooper were prepared to listen to the whole story and come up with a solution rather than making snap decisions. They showed expertise and professionalism at all times."
"A particular strength of Penningtons Manches Cooper is their ready access to lawyers from different areas of law within the firm."
"Penningtons Manches Cooper have the most extraordinary breadth of family law solicitors, working at the highest level in every area."
"Their communication is very good and they are able to have a dialogue."
"Penningtons Manches Cooper are notably friendly and committed to their clients."
"Penningtons Manches Cooper were prepared to listen to the whole story and come up with a solution rather than making snap decisions. They showed expertise and professionalism at all times."
"A particular strength of Penningtons Manches Cooper is their ready access to lawyers from different areas of law within the firm."
"Penningtons Manches Cooper have the most extraordinary breadth of family law solicitors, working at the highest level in every area."
Notable Practitioners
Jane Mitchell is a leading family law practitioner based in Oxford, advising clients on divorce and financial remedy proceedings. Her work often involves complicated business or inheritance aspects, as well as spousal maintenance issues. She also has notable experience in Schedule 1 Children Act matters and change of residence applications.
"Jane has seen it all before and yet has managed to retain her enthusiasm for fighting a client's corner. She is thorough, reassuring, discreet and powerful."
"Jane is very thorough and very well prepared. She looks after her clients incredibly well."
"She is clear and courageous in her advice and does not shy away from the tough realities of any position, but does it with the kindness that only a wealth of experience can bring."
Jolene Hutchison advises on a broad range of matrimonial finance disputes, including complex cross-border and cross-cultural matters, as well as private children arrangements.
"Jolene Hutchison provided exemplary service."
"Jolene emanates strength and yet does not jump to conclusions. She instils confidence in clients."
Reading-based Kerry Fretwell advises on a range of financial remedy and spousal maintenance matters. She also assists clients with private children law matters, including Schedule 1 applications and Child Arrangements Orders.
"Kerry achieved everything I asked her to and more. Her correspondence with the other party was excellent and effective."
"Kerry Fretwell is a fabulous lawyer with a keen focus on strategy from the get-go. She has excellent judgement and works tirelessly to get the best result for her clients."
"Kerry is very pragmatic. She is a strategist who is also very involved with the client and the nitty-gritty of a case."
Ruth James is based in the firm's Oxford office and frequently advises clients on complex matrimonial financial disputes involving overseas assets, as well as military pensions and business concerns. She also advises on Children Act proceedings.
"Ruth James is a class act who is serious about her work but also fun to work with."
"Ruth is a very adept constructor of cases. She can see when a problem is coming and she thinks really carefully about things."
Ranked Lawyers at
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Thames Valley
Members
Provided by Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP