Family Law

Our Family Law department prides itself on providing a superior calibre of service to our clients. The team is comprised of Family Law specialists who are ideally placed to provide a comprehensive service, specifically tailored to the individual needs of each client. We provide clear and common sense advice and are sensitive to the needs of clients through what can often be a very traumatic time in their lives.

While the law in Scotland differs from that in England and Wales, we are uniquely placed with experts on both sides of the border to advise on the particular area of law relevant to each client. Where appropriate, our experts in England and Scotland will work together to ensure that our clients’ interests are protected in both jurisdictions. With clients located across the world, the team is often involved in jurisdictional disputes and will work with lawyers in other countries to ensure that our clients' needs are met.

Our teams specialise in medium to high net worth divorce, civil partnership and co-habitee cases, frequently involving business and partnership assets as well as pension sharing arrangements. Tax is a frequent ingredient, particularly when the need to transfer assets arises, or where assets require to be realised in order to raise capital. Where possible our lawyers will utilise dispute resolution practices, including collaborative law, in order to avoid recourse to the courts. In cases where settlement cannot be achieved without court proceedings, our lawyers operate with absolute discretion to safeguard our clients’ interests and privacy.

We recognise that the challenges facing the 'alternative family' can be difficult and can assist in advising on various issues, including adoption (step-parent and/or same sex) in Scotland, surrogacy, and in situations where children have been born as a result of artificial insemination by donor.

The team's extensive experience also covers:-

• Applications relating to children, including financial applications, residence, contact, parental responsibility and specific issue orders
  
• Cohabitation agreements
  
• Dissolution of civil partnerships
  
• Prenuptial and pre-civil partnership agreements
  
• Proceedings Courts, County Courts, High Courts and beyond in England and Sheriff Courts and the Court of Session in Scotland
  
• Representation of clients in court proceedings including family

The team are all members of either Resolution or the Scottish Family Law Association, which are organisations of family lawyers committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. Our team follows the organisations’ codes of conduct which focus on a child-friendly, non-acrimonious approach to dispute resolution.

Our Family Law offering is further enhanced by a close working relationship with our specialist teams in the spheres of Tax Compliance, Trusts & Succession Planning, Property Marketing and Financial Services. The proficient integration of our service range ensures our clients benefit from an all-encompassing service package to cater for any needs which may arise. The team also works closely with other professionals including forensic accountants, financial advisers and banks, to adopt a creative approach to the resolution of cases.

*Gateley (Scotland) LLP utilises the vehicle Cornerstone Asset Management LLP, which is authorised and regulated by the FCA.

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