Family Law

Entering or ending a relationship can be difficult, particularly when experiencing emotions that can affect your ability to make the right decision for you and your family. Our experienced family law lawyers understand the challenges families face and provide clear, practical legal advice tailored to your circumstances.

Our specialist team will support you by providing tailored options to reach resolution and allow you to move forward positively and with assurance. As trusted family lawyers, we work closely with clients across a wide range of family law matters, helping them achieve practical outcomes and greater certainty for the future.

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Our family law team

Meet the team

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Our experience

Our team cover every aspect of family law, from helping you to plan and protect at the start of a relationship, to reaching a resolution at the end. We’ll take the time to understand your needs, and explain your options to reach a positive outcome for you and your family.

Where we can, we try and avoid stressful and costly court proceedings. Many members of our team are trained mediators and experts in using alternative dispute resolution. However, if it comes down to court, we’ll represent you and support you every step of the way.

Our clients

We help people from all walks of life, and have specialist knowledge of business and industry in our respective localities. These include farming families, and those working in healthcare, the armed forces and the technology sector. As a full-service law firm, we often work with other specialist teams to meet the individual needs of our clients.

We are also recommended to clients based overseas and all over the country. Our expert lawyers are adept at working with foreign counterparts and other professionals such as accountants and pension actuaries, to ensure our clients are fully informed about their situation .

Advocacy Hub text

What is the Advocacy Hub

The Advocacy Hub is a service led by our solicitor advocates within the Family team. A solicitor advocate is a solicitor who has higher rights of audience, allowing them to represent you at all levels of court, including the Court of Appeal.

With the Advocacy Hub, you recieve consistent, expert representation tailored to your needs, ensuring the best possible advocacy throughout your case.

Find out more here

Services from our Family Law team

the logo for our unified in separation services shows a family in a bubble

Introducing Unified in Separation

When you and your partner decide that your relationship has come to an end, and you’re ready to formalise arrangements concerning your children or assets, it is possible to find a more amicable process to achieve this than going to court.

Our approach offers you a bespoke route to resolution, with minimal stress and anguish, which enables you to move forward and rebuild your future positively.

 

 

Alternatives to court

Recognition for our work

Legal 500 2026 – Top Tier Firm

Legal 500 2026 – Top Tier Firm

The British Family Law Awards 2024 Finalist – Family Law Team of The Year

The British Family Law Awards 2024 Finalist – Family Law Team of The Year
The Times Best Law Firms 2026

The Times Best Law Firms 2026

Legal updates and thought leadership

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Hear what our clients say about us

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to you and the wider team at HCR for your support and guidance over the past 18 months. In particular, James and Emily, who have been incredibly reassuring throughout what has been a very stressful and upsetting time in my life. I would not hesitate to recommend their services to anyone facing a similar situation.

Client testimonial Family law

Thank you for all that you have done for me also to your brilliant team. Especially Amy, thank you for your patience in this testing time for me.

Client testimonial Family law

Thank you so much for all your support through all of this. This has been the hardest time of my life and you have always been brilliant and professional at your job. You made me feel more comfortable with everything that went on.

Client testimonial Child and Parent Law

I can’t thank James Osborne and Lauren Powell-Bateson enough for the support they have given me during one of the most difficult times in my life. Their professionalism, compassion, and dedication have been truly outstanding from start to finish.

They guided me through every step with clear advice, patience, and genuine care, always making me feel supported and understood. Having solicitors who are not only incredibly knowledgeable but also kind and approachable made such a difference during a very challenging time. If you are looking for a family law solicitor, I would highly recommend James Osborne and Lauren Powell-Bateson. They have been absolutely fantastic.

Client testimonial Ms J G – Family Law

Thank you so much for you help and support in the preparation and at the hearing. I am so pleased with the order that we secured. It’s a huge relief.

Client testimonial Family law

I want to say a huge thank you to you and your team. You’ve been fantastic and have fully supported me and my children through this difficult journey. I can’t really thank you enough.
It’s great to know that you’re there too, if anything crops up in the future.

Client testimonial Family law

Amy’s help in this matter has been much appreciated and she made the process very smooth.

Client testimonial Family law

Thank you so much for the way in which this matter has been handled. You were so quick to get to grips with what is a complex case and we felt not only that the matter was in good hand professionally, with a clear direction, but that we were also listened to and supported on a personal level.

Client testimonial Family law

Thankyou so much for working on this cohabitation agreement for me, I always appreciate the extra effort you make.

Client testimonial Cohabitation agreement

At every step, Gweni was clear in her communication, strong willed but also empathetic when the stress of the process was a lot to deal with. I will always be grateful for Gweni’s (and her team’s) drive to ensure a positive outcome in the proceedings. A credit to her company and her profession.

Client testimonial Family Law

During what was without doubt the most difficult time of my life Gweni and her team provided a first class service in every aspect. Her knowledge, professionalism, advice and tenacity to stand up to the other sides demands was exemplary.

Client testimonial Family Law

Victoria is a real force of nature and is regarded as a powerhouse in the financial remedy world.

Client testimonial Chambers 2026

How can we help you?

Frequently Asked Questions

A family law lawyer advises on the full range of legal issues affecting families, including divorce, children’s arrangements, financial settlements, and prenuptial agreements. They help you understand your options, negotiate on your behalf, and represent you in court where necessary. At HCR Law, our family lawyers combine specialist knowledge with a sensitive, practical approach to guide you through what is often a difficult and emotional time.

It’s worth seeking family law advice as early as possible, even before any formal proceedings begin. Whether you’re considering separation, facing a dispute over children, or need a prenuptial agreement drawn up, early input from family lawyers can help you understand your position, avoid costly mistakes, and approach negotiations with confidence rather than reacting under pressure later in the process.

A good family law firm offers more than legal expertise, it should provide clear communication, realistic guidance, and genuine empathy for what is often a stressful situation. Look for family law solicitors with experience across the specific area relevant to you, whether that’s divorce, children’s matters, or complex financial cases, and a firm with a track record of achieving fair outcomes for clients.

No. While divorce is a common reason people seek out family law solicitors, the field covers far more, including children’s arrangements, financial settlements, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation disputes, and international family matters. A good family law lawyer will be able to advise across these areas or refer you to the right specialist within their firm depending on your specific circumstances.

The cost of family law advice varies significantly depending on the complexity of your case and whether matters are agreed or contested. Straightforward advice sessions are generally affordable, while contested proceedings involving court applications will cost more. Most family lawyers offer an initial consultation to discuss your situation and provide a clearer estimate before any work begins.