Department profile
SKO Family Law Specialists

Family/Matrimonial

UK Guide 2026 : Scotland


SKO Family Law Specialists

Rankings

About

Provided by SKO Family Law Specialists

  • Financial Matters- divorce, pre and post nups and spousal support

  • Privacy and Reputation Management

  • Jurisdictional issues- where you can get divorced and claim financial support

  • Novel and technical areas of law- surrogacy, pensions and equal treatment for LGBTI individuals

  • Child law- contact, residence, relocating with children, child support, child abduction

  • Cohabitation- the rights and responsibilities you have when you live with someone (or did)

  • Elder law- inter-generational/tax planning gifting and capacity issues

We have some of the most respected solicitors in the country, who have years of experience and expertise and who are used to working with the best specialists in other, related, disciplines- tax, family office, trust, reputation management, corporate, immigration, property and employment lawyers, accountants, wealth management advisors and trustees.

​Our clients are usually private individuals, but also corporate entities (including partnerships and charities) and trustees. They are often based abroad, even though the issues are about Scots law.

We like getting things resolved. Litigation is rarely the best way, but if it is, we have heavyweight litigation experience ranging from local Sheriff Courts to the Supreme Court. If possible though, we encourage people to try another dispute resolution (DR) method- like mediation & arbitration. No other firm in Scotland can compete with us on the experience in DR that we can offer clients.

Industries (1)

  • Family law; Private Client advisory; Reputation management

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Family/Matrimonial - Scotland

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

SKO Family Law Specialists is a well-regarded practice in Edinburgh, frequently instructed on complex international matters pertaining to divorce, separation and nuptial agreements. The group also handles both public and private children cases ranging from abuse allegations to international child abductions. It is also recognised for its work in areas such as fertility and surrogacy.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They consistently offered sound advice that was always honest and realistic. They always responded quickly, calmly and with real care, and that level of attentiveness made a huge difference.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
  • They are without a doubt the top firm in Scotland for individuals with complex cross-border issues.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
  • I was able to access a breadth of expertise as they are a multifaceted team that can handle anything. They simply are the safety net that we would all hope for at the most vulnerable of times.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
  • They are experts in complex international family law matters. Additionally, they provide effective communication with their clients and give them the comfort that they are in a safe set of hands.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsRachael Kelsey
    Star IndividualsRachael Kelsey

    Rachael Kelsey

    Rachael Kelsey has a wealth of experience advising on difficult and novel family law issues, including cases relating to fertility, international law and the Hague Convention. She also handles complex financial provision disputes.

    • Rachael is hugely experienced and deals with the biggest cases.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • She makes you feel like you have a Herculean gladiator in your corner and brings compassion, pragmatism and acuity of the highest level.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • Rachael is fantastic on the law and really keen to work on tricky concepts. She's also very well connected.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • She is hugely intelligent and fearsome on the other side of a case.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • Rachael is the gold standard.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
  • Band 1Alison Edmondson
    Band 1Alison Edmondson

    Alison Edmondson

    Alison Edmondson is highly regarded for the depth of her knowledge in complex financial disputes arising from divorce and separation, including cases that involve prenuptial agreements, insolvency and overseas assets.

    • From the very start, Alison took the emotional weight of the decisions I faced into account. I never felt rushed or dismissed.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • Alison is technically outstanding as a lawyer and she is also is extremely commercial and practical when fighting a client's corner.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • Alison is outstanding and she goes above and beyond. She is technical and provides good emotional support and sensitivity to clients.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • She is great on the details of cases. She has a really analytical approach and she sees the bigger picture as well.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • Her sensitivity and understanding, alongside her expertise, helped me feel safe and supported during an incredibly difficult time.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
  • SpotlightRobert Gilmour
    SpotlightRobert Gilmour

    Robert Gilmour

    Robert Gilmour has an impressive track record acting on complex financial provision and children matters, and also has specialist expertise in fertility law and surrogacy. He is a qualified family mediator and arbitrator.
    • He is an excellent practitioner and I could not speak more highly of his skill set, his care and compassion for his clients, and his results-driven approach.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • Robert has a surrogacy law niche and he is a real pre-eminent voice in that area.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • Robert is fantastic and an exceptional litigator.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • Robert is super bright but also personable.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
  • SpotlightSusan Oswald
    SpotlightSusan Oswald

    Susan Oswald

    Susan Oswald focuses her practice on both public and private children law, including Hague Convention cases and intra-UK jurisdictional issues pertaining to care orders and relocations. She is accredited as both a mediator and child law specialist.

    • Susan was able to handle matters with ease and diplomacy.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
    • Susan is fantastic. There's nothing she doesn't know and she is exceptional in court.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

Ranked Individuals at SKO Family Law Specialists (6)

Scotland

Members

Provided by SKO Family Law Specialists

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