Marilyn Stowe

The founder of Stowe Family Law Settlements and its partner firm, Stowe Family Law, Marilyn Stowe is one of the UK’s best-known divorce lawyers. With more than 25 years’ experience handling divorce cases and family law proceedings, she was one of the first family lawyers to train as a mediator more than 15 years ago.

Marilyn “wins excellent results for clients” (Chambers Leading Lawyers) and is a “high profile divorce practitioner renowned for the energy that she expends on behalf of clients” (Legal 500). She also achieved prominence after unearthing the medical evidence that helped to overturn the murder convictions of jailed mother Sally Clark.

The author of two guides to moving on after divorce, Marilyn is regularly asked to write articles and give interviews to publications including The Daily Telegraph and The Times. She authors the popular Marilyn Stowe Divorce and Family Law Blog.

Julian Hawkhead

One of the first solicitors in Yorkshire to train as a collaborative lawyer, Julian Hawkhead has worked alongside Marilyn Stowe for more than 10 years. His collaborative law expertise and the skills that he brings to the negotiating table have brought him recognition in the newest edition of Chambers as "one to watch".

Julian has a broad spectrum of expertise in Family Law and is a member of Resolution. He has gained a reputation for specialising in cases involving complex financial arrangements for high net worth clients, often with a corporate or trust element. Julian is also known for his sensible and commercial approach to cases. As a lawyer mediator, his ability to focus upon the key issues  effectively brings calm and common sense to the most sensitive or contentious of disputes.

Kate Rayner

Accredited by Resolution as a specialist in advanced financial provision and private children law, Kate Rayner is a trained mediator and collaborative lawyer. Kate is the managing partner of the Stowe Family Law Settlements and Stowe Family Law offices in Hale, Cheshire.

Frank Arndt

As the Head of the International Department at Stowe Family Law, Frank Arndt specialises in UK and cross-border cases. A registered European Lawyer and Rechtsanwalt, and a member of the Bar in Germany, Frank speaks English, Dutch and German. He is a member of the International Society of Family Law (ISFL) and the International Bar Association.

Known for his analytical approach and his calm but determined manner, Frank is a lawyer mediator who is skilled at finding balanced solutions that suit everyone in a family law dispute.

Stephen Hopwood

A father-of-three, Stephen Hopwood is the practice’s child law specialist. He has been involved in aspects of child law for more than ten years, and has extensive experience representing clients in all aspects of child law.

He has helped to pioneer the concept and practice of joint residence in the North of England, and has been involved with cases with complex foreign elements.

Stephen is always happy to discuss fresh approaches with new clients who wish to avoid the expense and confrontational nature of court proceedings. Indeed, he specialises in difficult cases and those that have become “bogged down” or “written off”.

James Thornton

A member of the Regional Committee of Resolution in North and West Yorkshire and of the West Yorkshire Family Justice Council, James Thornton has specialised in family law since qualifying in 1996.

He has accredited expertise dealing with those cases in which children’s needs play a significant part, and also has considerable experience dealing with the financial issues that arise upon divorce, particularly where substantial personal, business and pension assets are involved. As a trained lawyer mediator James is dedicated to a client-focused, conciliatory and practical approach to cases.

Hayley Edwards

Commended by clients for her attention to detail,  Hayley Edwards qualified as a solicitor in 1994 and is experienced in all aspects of family law. As a lawyer mediator, Hayley specialises in mid-level assets cases.

As a lawyer mediator, Hayley specialises in mid-level assets cases and cohabitation cases. At present cohabiting couples have fewer legal rights than married couples, so Hayley’s experience and expertise in this area is often in demand. Hayley is also an Advanced Member of the Law Society’s Family Law Panel.

Rachel Baul

A lawyer mediator with a background in all areas of family law and ancillary relief, Rachel Baul studied at the College of Law in York before qualifying as a solicitor 13 years ago. A member of the Law Society’s Family Law Panel since 2003, her work has been commended by a number of high profile clients.

Gavin Scott

Gavin qualified as a solicitor in 2003 and specialises in divorce and cohabitation issues. As a lawyer mediator he has a wide knowledge of all aspects of family law, and is particularly adept at resolving financial disputes and disputes relating to children.

Morna Rose

The friendly Practice Manager at Stowe Family Law Settlements, Morna Rose graduated from The University of Durham and has since gone on to gain her Certificate in Personnel Practice with Distinction. Morna is the first point of contact for those who seek further information or who wish to make their first appointment. Call her on: 0844 854 5421 or email Morna at: info@sflsettlements.co.uk.