Department profile
Porter Dodson Solicitors

Family/Matrimonial

UK Guide 2026 : South West


Porter Dodson Solicitors

Rankings

About

Provided by Porter Dodson Solicitors

One of the largest family teams in Somerset and Dorset covering all aspects of family law, including childcare. Given our regional coverage, we act for a wide range of clients. We are leaders in our field and have grown as a result of client recommendations and are known for our proactive and pragmatic approach.

Our Divorce and Financial Team comprises of 4 Partners and 3 lawyers. The client base comprises of high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and landowners (particularly cases involving farms) regarding relationship breakdown and divorce. We have a strong local presence, as well as regional coverage and are regularly instructed to act in cases where London and Band 1 and 2 lawyers are instructed. We offer a wide range of dispute resolution options as well as the traditional litigation route, with many of our practitioners being qualified collaboratively.

The Children Team comprises one partner and four lawyers, three of whom are panel members based in Yeovil. We believe the team is preeminent in the South West, and this is reflected in the quality of the work undertaken. The majority of advocacy is done in-house without recourse to counsel. Much of our work is generated by the strong links we have established and maintained with local guardians and other practitioners.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Family/Matrimonial - South West

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Porter Dodson Solicitors offers a broad practice encompassing financial remedy and children law issues, including both public and private cases. The group often acts for high net worth individuals and is skilled at helping clients through a range of alternative dispute resolution processes. The firm also advises on issues relating to fertility and surrogacy. Its lawyers are based at a number of key offices in Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They provided me with excellent and speedy responses to my queries and always made time to talk me through the next steps.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
  • My emails and telephone calls were always swiftly responded to.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
  • All of the solicitors and support staff that I deal with are excellent in their roles.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
  • They are detail-oriented and offer realistic and pragmatic advice.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
  • The team retains a wide breath of experience and skills, with well-respected practitioners across all fields.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 3Zoe Gaitskell
    Band 3Zoe Gaitskell

    Zoe Gaitskell

    Zoe Gaitskell is highly experienced at handling financial remedy matters, particularly where there are complex property, business or farming concerns involved.

    • She has a keen understanding of people and the difficulties they face when engaging in emotive matters. I could not praise her highly enough for how she dealt with my case.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • Zoe always delivered an excellent and sympathetic approach with my case. She also talked me through the process and told me what to expect.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • Zoe is diligent and forensic in her approach, which ensures her clients' cases are presented at the highest standard.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • She really is great with clients; she pushes hard and she's realistic.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • Zoe has been unfaltering in her professionalism and sensitivity.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
  • Band 4Rebecca Marshall
    Band 4Rebecca Marshall

    Rebecca Marshall

    Rebecca Marshall centres her practice on children law and regularly acts on behalf of children in complex public care proceedings. She has further experience representing children and parents in private law mandates.

    • She has a wide breadth of knowledge and is empathetic with clients.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • She is a talented lawyer who fights for her clients with fairness and ability.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • She always delivers the best possible outcome for her clients.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
  • Band 4Richard Baker
    Band 4Richard Baker

    Richard Baker

    Richard Baker is well placed to advise on prenuptial agreements, as well as financial remedy proceedings.

    • Richard has great technical expertise and a sharp brain, and is pragmatic.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

Ranked Individuals at Porter Dodson Solicitors (3)

South West

Members

Provided by Porter Dodson Solicitors

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