What people say about us

Notable practitioners

Seb Orton: ‘He's an excellent lawyer with great communication skills and seemingly endless patience.’    

Chambers UK - 2023 edition

Advises on high-value divorce cases and private children matters, as well as assisting in issues arising from pre and postnuptial agreements and cohabitation. Frequently advises on cases with cross-border elements and also houses strong collaborative law expertise.

Market standing: 'This is a firm with a long-established, hard-won and wholly merited reputation as one of the very best family law firms in the country.'

Client service: 'I found them to be very efficient, professional and empathetic.'

Notable practitioners

Louise Spitz is hugely experienced in the family law sphere, with notable expertise in the field of matrimonial finance.

Jane Craig is praised by clients for her ability to 'put me completely at ease, particularly in relation to some very emotional and highly stressful hearings.' She handles finance cases, children disputes and cohabitation matters, and is also a trained collaborative lawyer.

Anna Worwood is noted for being 'extremely personable as well as very professional.' She focuses on private children law cases, including complex leave to remove cases.

James Stewart regularly handles international finance and children cases as well as pre and postnuptial agreements. He is also a trained collaborative lawyer.

Ruth James focuses her practice on complex relationship breakdowns, handling the resulting financial proceedings and children matters, including international relocation. One source describes her as 'highly impressive and a pleasure to work with; meticulous in her preparation of cases, with very strong client-care skills.'

Jane Mitchell specialises in high net worth financial proceedings and is widely regarded as an outstanding practitioner in her field. Sources describe her as 'a first-rate professional with enormous experience, great technical expertise and an enviable caseload.'

Kerry Fretwell leads the team in the Reading office, and is renowned for her work on high-value financial proceedings, complex cohabitation disputes and private children law matters.

Chambers UK - 2014 edition

Notable expertise in matrimonial finance cases involving significant international elements. Well versed in private law children matters.

Strengths: 'They have a broad range of experience and skill sets.'

'They are always excellent, always faultless. They prepare perfectly and give intelligent advice. They have a great house style - it's a combination of pure intellect, common sense and strength of personality.'

'They're meticulous, careful and very sensitive to their clients' situations and needs.'

Notable practitioners

James Stewart offers expertise in cross-border financial remedy and private law children cases. He is also well versed in the intricacies of collaborative law.

Market commentators report that Jane Craig takes 'a very strong, balanced approach' to her matrimonial finance and children law practice. She is an experienced collaborative lawyer.

Anna Worwood handles a variety of family breakdown matters, including private law children cases. Sources highlight her 'good judgement' and skill with clients.

Louise Spitz advises on complex matrimonial finance cases.

Ruth James has been described as 'an excellent lawyer that you can work with constructively.' She specialises in complex matters surrounding matrimonial finance and children issues, and is praised as 'highly intelligent,' with one interviewee noting that 'she gives good advice and clients like her.'

Clients find Kerry Fretwell invaluable as 'she cares deeply and is highly approachable.' She is recognised for her work across the board of family and matrimonial issues, and is praised for the way in which 'she deals with sensitive issues with great sympathy.'

Jane Mitchell is particularly noted for her expertise in complex financial issues. Sources say that she 'remains a giant in family law; she's instinctive and naturally clever, combined with a lot of experience and a lot of common sense.'

Chambers UK - 2015 edition

Impressive breadth of private family law experience, fielding deep expertise in complex financial cases and cross-border children work. Noted for its strength in matters with an international component.

Strengths: 'They are enormously strong in all areas.'

'An exceptionally high-quality department and a standout firm. They are head an shoulders above the rest in terms of breadth and experience.'

'They are really on top of their cases and go into the detail. They have very good client relations.'

Notable practitioners

Jane Craig is described as 'very experienced and very good with clients.' She regularly advises on cross-border matrimonial and children disputes and is recommended for her 'perception and good judgement.'

James Stewart is highly regarded for his long-standing experience in collaborative law. He focuses on international and domestic financial matters.

Anna Worwood maintains a broad practice and impresses interviewees with her handling of complex cases. She is particularly well versed in international relocation matters.

Ruth James handles complex matrimonial finance matters and children disputes and is described by interviewees as 'exceptionally smart - someone who sees straight through the chaos and cuts through the nonsense.'

Jane Mitchell advises clients on financial and children disputes. 'She is wise and knowledgeable - she knows all there is to know,' according to impressed sources.

The 'superb' Kerry Fretwell is praised for her 'excellent eye for detail, incredible thoroughness and top-notch judgement. She explains things to the client and keeps them involved in the process.'

Chambers UK - 2016 edition

Strengths: Commentators say: ‘It is a very good all-round firm, dealing with both children and financial claims.’

‘I felt I was in very capable hands,’ says a source. ‘They explained everything to me clearly and provided me with all the support I needed.’

Notable practitioners
The ‘hugely experienced’ Jane Craig heads the department and is highly regarded for her expertise in both financial and children law matters, including Schedule 1 claims. She is also highlighted for her handling of complex international cases.

Rachel Donald has particular expertise in the drafting of nuptial and cohabitation agreements among a broader matrimonial practice. She is also well versed in private children disputes, including leave to remove matters.

Kerry Fretwell is a highly regarded practitioner, advising clients on financial remedy matters involving business interests, trusts and pensions. ‘She gave me clear, understandable advice during each meeting and I never felt rushed into making decisions,’ a client says. Another source describes her as ‘amazingly calm, with a lot of technical knowledge and highly experienced.’

Veronica Gilmour earns praise for a broad range of skills which she employs across a wide range of private family law issues, including both children and financial matters. ‘She has a wealth of knowledge and experience and really cares about her clients. She gives very sound advice and is a calming influence,’ according to interviewees. Her expertise includes Part III applications as well as complex pension arrangements.

Ruth James handles both financial and children matters and is particularly skilled at advising on international relocation cases. ‘She discussed with me all the possible options. That helped me very much to take a decision,’ a client says.  

Jane Mitchell has a strong track record in financial disputes and child arrangement matters. She regularly handles cross-border cases. ‘She is very good at providing context, removing irrelevancies and directing through to a conclusion,’ a source reports.

James Stewart attracts some of the highest-value family law cases and is well versed in matters involving multi-jurisdictional issues. Sources describe him as ‘a very good strategic lawyer - he thinks around his cases and how to get the right result for his clients.’ He is also an experienced arbitrator.

Anna Worwood ‘is really good with clients and has amazing attention to detail,’ according to one interviewee who also describes her as ‘the best partner I have worked with for some time.’ She has extensive expertise in financial issues as well as private children matters such as international relocation.

Tammy Knox is highly regarded for her work on cross-border children matters, including wardship, leave to remove and abduction cases. Commentators say: ‘She is vigorous, intelligent, personable, enthusiastic and indefatigable in her pursuit of a case. She is a very good person to have on your side.’

Chambers UK - 2018 edition

Strengths: One source reports: 'They were fantastic. They really have very good relations and kept me informed at every stage.'

Another comments: 'The team is great. They communicated well and very effectively, they took a lot of ownership of the case and I genuinely felt that they were working for me.'

One client reports: 'The team put me at ease and inspired confidence at every step. I never felt any doubt that they knew what they were doing and always felt that they had my best interests at heart.'

Notable practitioners
Jane Craig is praised by commentators for her skilled handling of divorce proceedings. She is regularly instructed by high net worth individuals on domestic and international maintenance disputes. 'She is a very effective litigator and negotiator.'

Linzi Bull frequently acts on matters spanning multiple jurisdictions, fielding experience in areas such as surrogacy and divorce proceedings. She has recent experience in representing same-sex couples and transgender clients in parental registration cases. 'Linzi is at the cutting edge of family law.'

Rachel Donald has a broad family law practice, advising clients on complex financial and children-related disputes relating to divorce. She has notable strength in matters that have cross-border aspects.

Reading-based Kerry Fretwell is 'very knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with,' according to a client. She advises on a range of financial matters including high-value divorce proceedings and the negotiation of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. She also assists clients with private children law matters.

Veronica Gilmour elicits praise for her expertise in high-value matrimonial finance cases and is also adept at handling Children Act proceedings. Sources describe her as a 'very pragmatic practitioner who works with you to find solutions,' and further praise her 'forward-thinking and client-focused' approach.

Ruth James is based in the firm's Oxford office, and frequently advises clients on complex matrimonial financial disputes involving overseas assets and trusts, as well as tax and business concerns. She also advises on matters concerning child contact and residence orders, including cross-border cases.

Tammy Knox is skilled in both financial and children proceedings. She often takes on cross-border abduction and Schedule 1 matters, as well as issues involving complex points of European law. 'She is very organised, knowledgeable and calm, and she writes very well. She's really impressive and effective.'

Jane Mitchell is based in Oxford and comes highly recommended by sources, who say: 'She is enormously experienced, has fantastic judgement and is always very thorough and careful in both her preparation and her consideration of the issues that arise.' She advises clients on divorce proceedings and related financial disputes, as well as on Schedule 1 Children Act matters and the creation of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.

James Stewart tackles high-value, multi-jurisdictional matrimonial finance cases on behalf of ultra high net worth individuals. He regularly handles financial remedy and ancillary relief proceedings that involve offshore assets. 'He is formidable, knowledgeable and a real presence in the market.'

Anna Worwood is renowned in the market for handling complex cross-border matters, notably private children cases. She advises clients on financial remedy applications in addition to international relocation and abduction matters. 'She has a very strong children practice and she's one of the go-to names for private law children disputes.'

Chambers UK - 2021 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper is held in high regard in family law. The firm's family department advises on complex financial and children proceedings arising from divorce. It also advises on nuptial and cohabitation agreements, often with an international dimension.

A client says that "they are well connected internationally and always managed to source the best individuals with relevant local expertise to help strengthen the case we were putting forward."

Chambers High Net Worth - 2020 edition

Strengths: ‘Penningtons have a superb team. They are all incredibly knowledgeable and experienced and empathetic. Everyone at each rung of the ladder is very high quality.’

‘The team are extremely capable and provide a seamless service to clients.’

‘They're great - they're just really, really good. They have exceptional clients.’

‘The way in which they prepare their cases is immaculate from top to bottom. You know if you work with them, it will be really collaborative.’

‘Penningtons Manches Cooper have a stellar family law team at all levels.’

Notable practitioners 

Linzi Bull: ‘She is really adaptable in cases and is very insightful, really dedicated and passionate about her clients.’

‘Rebecca Carlyon is a great lawyer. She's really sensible to deal with. She's someone I can pick up the phone to without hesitation. She's very focused on getting the best result for her clients.’

Bethan Carr: ‘Her knowledge and her technical ability as a lawyer are a big strength of hers.’

‘Elizabeth Carson is an excellent lawyer. She's a newer partner, but she's incredible at cross-jurisdictional matters. She is a go-to for issues that cross over with the US.’

Jane Craig: ‘She is extremely good at what she does. She is incredibly clever; she's seen it all and done it all. She's very good with clients and has superb judgement.’

Rachel Donald: ‘She is a real problem solver and is wonderful at getting solutions for her clients.’

Sarah Duckworth: ‘Sarah is conscientious and has an excellent manner with clients.’

Kerry Fretwell: ‘She's an excellent lawyer with great attention to detail.’

Veronica Gilmour: ‘She is a highly experienced lawyer who is adept at dealing with complex, high net worth cases.’

Ruth James: ‘Ruth is a pleasure to work with. She manages the client's expectations and provides pragmatic and realistic advice.’

Matilda Kingham: ‘I highly rate her - she's very detail-oriented and thorough. She is really hard-working.’

Tammy Knox: ‘Tammy is a really good and robust lawyer who is no-nonsense and easy to deal with.’

Jane Mitchell: ‘Jane was highly professional, knowledgeable, calming and reassuring.’

Laura Naser: ‘Laura is brilliant on finance matters and works wonderfully with clients.’

James Stewart: ‘The way he connects with clients is unlike anybody else in this market. His clients always feel, rightly, that he empathises with their position.’

‘Emma Willing is one of the most talented lawyers I know.’

Anna Worwood: ‘She is very smart, very capable and very good at representing her client's best interests.’

Chambers UK - 2023 edition

Anna Worwood, Rebecca Cockcroft and Rebecca Carlyon are 'all a new breed of excellent partners’. Worwood is singled out as having ‘an exceptional ability in international children cases’, and James Stewart and Caroline East are noted for their sensitivity.

Active in high-value cross-jurisdictional matters, including the implementation of financial orders and Children Act proceedings. Oxford-based department head Jane Mitchell is ‘an exceptional lawyer - very strong on the financial aspects of matrimonial disputes’; and Kerry Fretwell and Ruth James, in Reading and Oxford, respectively, are also recommended.

The Legal 500 - 2013 edition

At the ‘excellent' Penningtons Manches LLP, James Stewart has ‘an ability to remain focused on what matters despite the surrounding levels of acrimony, and an ability to quickly adjust positions as new information emerges'. The firm recently acted for a Russian national in F v Y, an abduction case in which the firm successfully ensured that the client and her daughter were able to remain in Russia. Gillian Rivers is ‘charming and extraordinarily good at what she does'. 

Penningtons Manches LLP is ‘right up there with the best'. The team is led in Oxford by Jane Mitchell, who ‘inspires confidence, and has a good sense of litigation strategy'; and in Reading by Kerry Fretwell, who is consistently recommended by clients. Oxford-based Ruth James is ‘highly intelligent and likeable, handling clients with a lightness of touch'.

The Legal 500 - 2014 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP is ‘strong’ in the family law market. James Stewart is ‘very impressive’, and Rebecca Carlyon is ‘rated extremely highly’ for her work on pre- and postnuptial agreements. Gillian Rivers is recommended for high-value financial disputes, and provides ‘robust advice to achieve the best outcome for clients’. Simon Blain was made partner in 2015.

The team provides ‘excellent service on all fronts’. Jane Mitchell is ‘extraordinarily patient, calm and empathetic, but never loses sight of strategic and legal priorities’. Kerry Fretwell also attracts high praise.

The Legal 500 - 2015 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP regularly handles complex cases involving high-net-worth individuals often with an international dimension. Anna Worwood is known for her ‘exceptional children work’, and Gillian Rivers has ‘a wholesome mix of common sense together with vast knowledge’. Jane Craig and James Stewart are ‘passionate about giving their clients the best possible service’. Simon Blain and ‘extremely diligent and exceptionally pragmatic’ Rebecca Carlyon are also recommended.

Kerry Fretwell’s expertise includes child-related matters and financial settlements. Jane Mitchell is recommended for complex financial cases and child-related disputes, and Ruth James for her knowledge of complex and high-value financial matters.

The Legal 500 - 2016 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP is ‘an excellent firm, with strength in depth’. The ‘superb’ Jane Craig heads the practice, and is ‘very good for high-net-worth work. She has client skills that are second to none, and this she blends with good judgement’. Craig has a wealth of experience in both the financial aspects of high-value divorce and separation and in the resolution of complex disputes about arrangements for children, including relocation cases. Gillian Rivers is ‘a first-class divorce and family lawyer who is sympathetic and a gritty and determined negotiator’. Other members of the ‘standout’ team include Anna Worwood in London, Veronica Gilmour in Guildford, and Jane Mitchell in Oxford. The team is currently acting in some of the highest-value cases in England, and has well-established expertise in complex international cases. James Stewart heads the private wealth offering, and Rebecca Carlyon advises on all issues arising from divorce and relationship breakdown.

Penningtons Manches LLP [in Guildford] fields ‘a highly effective family department which has great expertise, attention to detail and looks after its clients like royalty’. Alternative family structure arrangements, high-value financial remedy proceedings, cross-border asset management and Children Act disputes are all key features of the practice, which services a national and international client base. Practice head Veronica Gilmour ‘fights the client’s corner every inch of the way’; she is ably supported by Rachel Donald, who is noted for her ‘sympathetic approach and good judgement’; and Laura Naser, who is ‘very switched-on and forward-thinking’.

‘Matrimonial lawyers do not come much better’ than Jane Mitchell. She is widely considered to be the go-to person for financial cases and disputes regarding child arrangement orders, often involving international elements. Kerry Fretwell is ‘very good in reading the case and people involved’. Also of note are Ruth James (‘very thorough in the preparation of evidence and careful in her case management’), Bethan Thomas (‘extremely down to earth and capable’), Claire Clarke (an ‘impeccable’ adviser in children and family financial proceedings), and Stuart Webber (‘a measured and reassuring lawyer’, who ‘gets to grip with issues quickly and incisively’).

The Legal 500 - 2017 edition

‘Penningtons’ reputation for excellence is well-earned … their solicitors are diligent, hard-working, and knowledgeable. They are also compassionate and care deeply for their clients.’

‘Their combined experience makes them a tour de force and the place to go to for your divorce finances.’

‘Service from Amanda Andrews was fantastic. Helpful, responsive, creative, thorough and all done in a friendly and personable style. Amanda Andrews is excellent and far more authoritative and empathetic than others I have used in this field.’

‘Beth Bell – conscientious, hugely bright, very able. Fantastic forensic mind and incredible attention to detail. Superb strategic instincts. Gentle and compassionate with clients but by no means a pushover – very firm and clear in her advice. A real star of the future.’

‘Linzi Bull – Linzi is fantastic to work with. She finds solutions in the most complex cases. Clients adore her for the way she explains legal strategy in the most clearest format. She is always going above and beyond what is required to get the right result.’

‘Bethan Carr is the surrogacy god. She is knows the ins and outs of surrogacy more than most lawyers in the field. She has excellent client care skills and clients immediately feel at ease with her approach.’

‘Bethan Carr, Rachel Donald, Beth Bell and Laura Naser are all exceptional at what they do. They also provide a lot in terms of guidance on legal developments through online media platforms such as Instagram in a way that is easily digestible and accessible to all.’

‘Lucy Clark – an excellent senior associate who knows her cases inside out and has a photographic memory which is so useful in a complex case with vast amounts of documents.’

‘Jane Craig is a grande dame of matrimonial finance work. She is very highly regarded and rightly so. She has an unrivalled breadth of experience and her clients love her.’

‘Sarah Duckworth is an experienced solicitor who inspires confidence in her clients and adopts a collaborative approach to problem-solving. Sarah is the person who I would recommend my divorcing friends employ.’

‘Kerry Fretwell is a strong leader. The team deals with the whole breadth of cases.’

‘Laura Hughes – frighteningly forensic, incredibly capable, very on-the-ball.’

‘Gemma Kemp brings intelligent sense to every case she handles. Rachel Donald is also well respected as an intelligent operator who goes the extra mile for her clients.’

‘Tammy Knox – a newly appointed partner. She has a piercing intellect and is able to cut thought complicated cases.’

‘Jane Mitchell has guided me through complex divorce proceedings with her legal expertise. Her assistants are excellent as well. I have found the support to be outstanding from both individuals. I would highly recommend Jane Mitchell for complex financial divorces.’

‘James Stewart – is a real specialist in international cases and one of London’s leading lawyers who is involved in many of the most important cases. A delight to work with.’ 

‘Emma Willing is an extraordinarily committed solicitor with an incredible appetite for work and a solution-focused approach’.

Anna Worwood: ‘She is a class act who mixes emotional and academic intelligence perfectly. She is caring and sensitive when needed but also robust and strong when appropriate. She gives her clients 110%.’ 

The Legal 500 - 2023 edition

At Penningtons Manches LLP James Stewart is ‘renowned for tricky international cases’ and Anna Worwood is ‘one of the go-to lawyers for complex children disputes’. Jane Craig heads the team, which has ‘fantastic strength and depth not only in the partners but also the associates. Every case is well managed at the practice’. Gillian Rivers is ‘technically superb’ for both financial remedy and children cases. Rivers ‘combines charm and an ability to reach favourable settlements for her clients with a willingness to litigate forcefully on their behalf when necessary’. Rebecca Carlyon is skilled on advising on both financial and children issues that arise on relationship breakdown. The team has been expanding. The ‘outstanding’ Linzi Bull recently joined and is known for her ‘good people skills. She is a first-class case runner'. 

Penningtons Manches LLP [in Guildford] fields a team that is ‘very able and in turn very strong’. It routinely attracts cases involving multi-million pounds of corporate and other assets, trusts and pensions, including those located in overseas jurisdictions as well as nuptial agreements and child location disputes. Veronica Gilmour, who leads the team ‘has a superb reputation' and 'a combination of intellect, soft skills and gravitas’. Rachel Donald, who is considered ‘without doubt a star of the future’, handles complex financial remedy matters, wealth protection and child arrangement disputes. Senior associate Laura Hughes and associate Lee Henderson are highly recommended for their excellent client handling skills.

Penningtons Manches LLP is ‘an outstanding firm offering real quality to rival the top end of the London market’. The family practices in the firm’s Reading and Oxford offices are headed by Kerry Fretwell and Jane Mitchell respectively. Fretwell specialises in acting for high net-worth individuals on a range of cases, including financial settlements between unmarried parents, and acting for intervenors, while Mitchell is widely considered to be the go-to person for financial cases and disputes regarding child arrangement orders. ‘Tenacious fighter and good lawyer’ Ruth James' practice focuses on resolving financial settlements between separating couples and arrangements for children.

The Legal 500 - 2019 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is particularly well-known for its work on complex high-net-worth financial cases. It has specialist expertise in acting for trust companies, family offices and other third parties that are either joined or obliged to intervene in financial remedy applications. Through Jane Craig, the team also boasts considerable skill in advising on the issues facing cohabitants and can advise on cohabitation agreements, property ownership and children issues. The team is also recommended for its work on cross-border disputes involving children and has recently noticed an increased amount of work on cases involving the international relocation of children. James Stewart is also well regarded and Elizabeth Carson was promoted to the partnership.

Rebecca Carlyon and Anna Worwood are also leading individuals.

Veronica Gilmour handles complex financial issues, often with challenging jurisdictional complications and is also an expert on foreign pensions. Rachel Donald is an expert on pre-nuptial agreements and cases where company assets are involved, and Lee Henderson has experience of surrogacy cases.

Jane Mitchell handles complex financial and children matters with a specialisation in international trusts and company arrangements. Kerry Fretwell in Reading and Ruth James in Oxford are the other key partners. 

The Legal 500 - 2020 edition

‘An excellent firm with an excellent reputation. This firm has a wide breadth of individuals to suit any case – from the complex, high net worth case to the more straightforward middle money case.’

‘Penningtons Manches Cooper has a powerhouse team of lawyers that are leaders in the field across multiple areas of children law. It always goes the extra mile to provide a Rolls Royce service to clients, which translates to exceptional preparation of cases for trial.’

‘The firm is a sparkling collection of successful and empathetic family lawyers.’

Rebecca Carlyon: ‘Not only an extremely expert legal professional, but also has excellent interpersonal skills – an absolutely vital combination in the sector of family law.’

‘Bethan Carr is not afraid of giving clients difficult advice, which is important as there are some solicitors in other firms who tend to leave this to counsel which can result in the client feeling as though their counsel is not understanding or supportive of their case.’

‘Elizabeth Carson – a serene influence on a case. Very good at handling difficult cases with vulnerable clients. She is immensely supportive of the client and of everyone else on the legal team.’

‘Jane Craig has a wealth of experience dealing with complex, big money cases. She is completely unflappable and is a real character in the financial remedy world - she is great fun to work with; but irritatingly persistent if she is on the other side.’

‘Rachel Donald is exceptionally approachable and behind her relaxed approach is a sharp case analysis with a good ability to think outside of the box and come up with sensible solutions.’

‘Kerry Fretwell leads the team at the Reading office. She has an excellent knowledge of the law, is excellent with clients and is always able to give pragmatic and sensible advice.’

‘Veronica Gilmour successfully combines her commanding leadership of the department [in Guildford] with an ability to dedicate time and attention to her individual clients, to ensure that they receive an unparalleled level of service. She is excellent in every way.’

‘Ruth James manages to combine acute legal acumen and emotional empathy to create a winning combination that provides her clients with first-rate support and representation.’

‘Tammy Knox was absolutely invaluable…Her knowledge is fantastic and she managed to make sure that this was as stressless as possible.’

‘Jane Mitchell is one of the top family law solicitors in Oxford. I regard her as outstanding.’

‘Kate Molan – extremely hardworking, intelligent and a very safe pair of hands.’

‘Laura Naser is hard-working, passionate and strong in support of clients. Goes that extra mile and is incredibly talented.’

‘It is a firm that excels in international family law matters, in large part because of James Stewart’s longstanding editorship of ‘Family Global Guide’ now covering 56 jurisdictions and also because of the fact many of the partners are members of the IAFL (International Academy of Family Lawyers).’

‘James Stewart – a leading light in international family law.’

‘Anna Worwood and Lucy Clarke are superb practitioners. Anna Worwood is at the top of her game with an enviable client list. She has great experience but also excellent judgement and the best client care skills of anyone in London. She is also smart and canny. Lucy is super efficient and has a mastery of every detail of her case.’

The Legal 500 - 2022 edition

With Jane Craig and James Stewart at the helm, the team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is highly recommended for its expertise in complex and high-value financial cases, both nationally and internationally. It is experienced in advising on marital agreements and financial claims following an overseas divorce, as well as advising trustees, family offices and other third parties on financial remedy matters. Another area of expertise is the international relocation of children, including applications for the return of children under the Hague Convention on Child Abduction. In addition, its ‘modern families’ unit has seen an increase in instructions relating to surrogacy, legal issues surrounding assisted reproduction techniques and LGBTQ+ families. The team was strengthened by the arrival of Amanda Andrews in April 2020.

Jane Craig always impresses: she has undoubted legal and tactical intelligence but also emotional intelligence.

Linzi Bull is a legal superstar. She is at the cutting edge of interesting family law work, as her cases often involve complex jurisdictional issues (both in matrimonial finance and in private law children work). 

Matilda Kingham gets the work done in a quiet, efficient manner. Her memory recall is impressive. She is calm and totally dedicated to her client.

Tammy Knox is able to develop a rapport with clients in a very easy manner. She is strategic in her legal planning, which has a positive outcome to her cases.

Anna Worwood goes from strength to strength and is a class operator. She brings a calm and astute perspective to cases; her clients love her and one can see why.

The practice [in Guildford] is led by the experienced and 'stand-out' Veronica Gilmour. Rachel Donald offers particular expertise in pre-nuptial agreements. Associates Laura Hughes, Laura Naser and Lee Henderson are also praised by clients; Hughes is praised for her 'good judgement and practicality', while Naser has 'fantastic client care skills'. Henderson, 'a rising star', has been particularly active in matters involving surrogacy.

Practice head [in Oxford] Jane Mitchell's expertise in complex financial cases and difficult disputes concerning arrangements for children attracts an international client base. Kerry Fretwell [Reading] is a trained mediator and has experience of Schedule One applications for unmarried parents. 

Jane Mitchell and Ruth James are both impressive brains and have the legal experience to match.

Kerry Fretwell is very good at thinking about what is really going on and is important in a case.

The Legal 500 - 2021 edition

Versatile outfit engaged in a wide range of high-level family law matters, including cross-border financial remedies and challenging child relocation. Exhibits strength in collaborative and ADR methods. Houses notable experience across complex, high-value financial litigation. Strong matrimonial offering augmented by in-house expertise in related issues of tax and trust law.

Strengths: A commentator notes: ‘They all work incredibly hard and are bright and helpful. It's a very good team.’

One market commentator says: ‘The firm is a sparkling collection of successful and empathetic family lawyers.’

A client comments: ‘Penningtons Manches Cooper has an impressive cohort of family lawyers. A real strength in the team appears to be the ability to work together cohesively to ensure the best possible outcome for the clients.’

Notable practitioners

Linzi Bull: ‘She is a standout, incredibly able solicitor. She is pragmatic and won't fight a case unless it needs to be fought, while also being tenacious.’ ‘She's very astute and emotionally intelligent.’ ‘She's smart, intuitive and has really good client care skills.’

Rebecca Carlyon: ‘She is a very good advocate.’ ‘She is highly regarded and very competent.’

Jane Craig: ‘Her sense of analysis is extremely firm and her quiet, effective manner inspires confidence in clients.’ ‘She has a logical, chess-like ability to see three moves ahead because of her ability and experience.’

Rachel Donald: ‘A standout solicitor in her ability to be creative in solving problems.’ ‘She is incredibly technically astute and constructive in the way she handles matters.’

Sarah Duckworth: ‘A far-reaching grasp of family law and an astute awareness of personal needs.’

Kerry Fretwell: ‘She is a brilliant, solutions-orientated strategist and has a detailed knowledge of the law.’

Veronica Gilmour: ‘She is one of those very experienced, very calm and collected individuals who is tough on behalf of her clients but willing to work hard to compromise.’

Ruth James: ‘She is a first-class finance and children lawyer. She is incredibly bright but also very human, and so she is able to bring a really rounded approach to her cases.’

Tammy Knox: ‘She is swift to respond to correspondence and is well connected within the profession. …She takes the time to understand issues as fully as she can before proceeding.’ ‘She really knows her stuff in terms of international abduction law.’

Jane Mitchell: ‘Jane Mitchell was absolutely fantastic and very supportive.’

James Stewart: ‘He is really good at strategy and seeing the bigger picture. He has a lot of knowledge in international children law issues.’ ‘He is a very good champion for his clients and they feel well looked after by him.’ ‘He is very well known, very able and very persuasive.’

Anna Worwood: ‘She provides top-class service and absolutely top-notch delivery because she has so much experience but at the same time she is very caring and thoughtful towards the clients.’ ‘She exhibits a great balance of sensitivity and legal depth.’ ‘A relocation expert who is calm and unflappable.’

Chambers UK – 2022 edition

Experienced in advising lenders and borrowers on a variety of financing work. Areas of work include MBOs, acquisition and education financing as well as bridge refinancing. Draws its borrower clients from the construction and food and beverages sectors, among others.

Strengths: Clients praise the firm's ‘proficient delivery all round’.

Notable practitioners
John Chater: ‘He gives precise advice and has also a commercial approach. He seeks to find solutions for the client.’

‘He is excellent. He efficiently explains everything in straightforward detail.’

Helen Drayton provides advice on acquisition finance, particularly in relation to MBOs. She also handles development finance and is experienced in financing work across a number of sectors including healthcare and leisure.

Chambers UK - 2022 edition