Department profile
VWV

Family/Matrimonial

UK Guide 2026 : South West

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VWV

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About

Provided by VWV

Our Family Law team can advise you on all areas of law relating to family breakdown both locally, nationally and internationally, covering financial settlements on divorce, unmarried family disputes, and divorce and separation planning (in particular pre-nuptials/post-nuptials, trusts, and corporate structures).

​We offer you a pragmatic and commercial approach to resolve your case as swiftly and cost effectively as possible. The majority of our cases settle without the need for a final hearing. 

 We can advise you on the following:

  • International work
  • Pensions and divorce
  • Trusts and divorce
  • Bankruptcy and divorce
  • Business structures and divorce
  • Child Support issues
  • Cohabitations Claims
  • Court of Protection and divorce

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Family/Matrimonial - South West

Band 4

What the Team is Known For

VWV houses a well-regarded team in Bristol with extensive experience acting for clients on financial settlements and in disputes following relationship breakdowns. The group assists with a range of matters such as ancillary relief and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. The firm is also adept at advising on children matters. VWV offers notable expertise in alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and collaborative law, along with traditional litigation.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They are experts in financial remedy work.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

  • Their expertise and client care are difficult to compete with.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

  • I felt listened to, respected and guided through the right choices. I also felt like nothing was too much trouble for them.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

  • They are incredibly knowledgeable and provide good guidance.

    Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Samantha Hickman
    Samantha Hickman

    Samantha Hickman

    Samantha Hickman advises clients on a wide range of complex family and matrimonial disputes. She is especially well regarded for her capabilities in complex financial remedy proceedings.

    • Her client care is exceptional and she builds excellent rapport with them.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

    • Sam is approachable and a great lawyer who wants to get things right and sorted for her clients.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

    • She is a leader in financial remedy work.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

    • Sam is brilliant and she fights hard for her clients.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

    • Sam ticks all the boxes one would wish for in a capable opponent.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
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  • Katie Hanson
    Katie Hanson

    Katie Hanson

    Katie Hanson works on a broad array of family law issues, including Children Act proceedings, financial remedy and maintenance settlement negotiations. She has notable understanding of cases involving businesses, having previously worked as a corporate lawyer.

    • She has a superb legal brain.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

    • She is brilliant. She's an expert on family law and runs cases brilliantly.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

    • Katie routinely displays a practical, pragmatic approach alongside big-picture thinking.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

    • She is a pleasure to work with.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK

    • She is most definitely an upcoming talent, she's excellent.

      Family/Matrimonial respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at VWV (2)

South West

Members

Provided by VWV

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