Mark Heptinstall

Mark Heptinstall MCIArb joined Slater Heelis in 2005 and is Partner and Head of the Family Department. Mark holds two part-time judicial appointments. He has recently been appointed as a Deputy District Judge (Civil & Family) and a Recorder (Family) on the Northern Circuit.

Mark specialises in private family high net worth finances, complex children cases and is a Collaborative Lawyer. He has a niche in dealing with cases where capacity is an issue and cases involving contested trusts/probate and often cases with an international element.

Mark has an array of clients both in the UK, particularly the South East and overseas including other professionals such as Barristers, Solicitors, business directors, media & sports personalities and medical professionals. Mark’s clients are almost exclusively personally referred to him by former clients and other professionals locally, nationally and internationally.

Mark officially qualified as a family law arbitrator in December 2024 under the IFLA scheme, authorised to adjudicate on financial matters arising from separation and Inheritance Act cases. With this achievement, Mark joins the esteemed Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), the world’s largest community of private dispute resolution professionals.

He is both a past President and Vice-President of The Trafford Law Society. Mark is also a member of the Manchester Law Society Council and of Resolution, formerly known as the Solicitors Family Law Association. Mark is a Resolution-trained Collaborative Lawyer.