OUR TEAM
I have practised in family law since the beginning of my career, having completed a specialised traineeship in the field – one of only a select few solicitors to do so in Scotland. I work independently on cases ranging from financial provision to residence and contact. Equally, I greatly enjoy working with senior colleagues on more complex cases.
I have a breadth of experience in all aspects of family law, including financial provision on divorce and separation, contact and residence disputes and cohabitation. I am particularly knowledgeable in financial provision and Hague Abduction cases (for both the Petitioner and Respondent) having been the instructing solicitor in the reported case of NN v HN [2018] CSOH 56 (link to Judgment).
My caseload also involves working within our Modern Families team which assists clients in creating families whether that be via adoption, donor conception or surrogacy. The law in this area is nuanced and the legislation can be daunting. I am a knowledgeable, experienced and supportive advisor and it is a joy to be involved in assisting clients in their journey.
I am confident in appearing at the Sheriff Court on behalf of my clients and arguing their case, whilst also ensuring that they understand the Scottish Court system – a vital aspect of clients feeling comfortable during the litigation process. I also instruct Counsel to appear in the Court of Session on behalf of my clients and am comfortable navigating the procedure of this higher Court.
I also have significant experience in cases where there is a cross-border element, be that intra-UK or internationally. I have a good working relationship with solicitors both in England & Wales, and internationally, and this can be utilised when cases have a jurisdictional element, which are becoming ever more common.
I am qualified with the High Conflict Institute as a coach for the “New Ways for Families Coaching” method, which recently launched in Scotland in conjunction with Shared Parenting Scotland. The course was originally developed in the USA and is now being rolled out in Australia, Canada, China and Scotland in order to assist parents who are separating. It is intended to reduce the negative impact of conflict on children in family breakups to calm potentially high-conflict separation and avoid taking cases to court where it may be unnecessary.
I am also a supervising solicitor at the Free Legal Advice Clinic run by the University of Edinburgh, as well as assisting Shared Parenting in their monthly sessions to provide legal advice to those requiring assistance.
I am primarily based out of our Edinburgh office, but a considerable number of my clients are based in Shetland where I work with them via our Lerwick office.
"I have been a client for over seven years and during that time, I have been granted satisfactory legal separation, custody, and divorce agreements. I would recommend Harper Macleod to anyone who needs someone on their side to represent them during what can be a difficult time."
"You have been very informative, but most importantly, you more than appear to have great empathy regarding matters like this. This doesn't only make you professional and experienced in your position in legal matters, but you definitely come across that you care about your clients. I sincerely appreciate that."
"Thank you so much for looking after us and all your hard work on this part of our journey with our daughter. Greatly appreciated."
"I really appreciated how I was listened to and understood in my separation/divorce by your solicitors. It was very important to me that the focus was not on financial settlements, what I wanted was to ensure the best arrangements for my daughter and that was achieved through the minute of agreement and divorce proceedings. I felt understood that the relationship as a co-parent was more important than point scoring or "winning" in the court arena. Your team have helped me secure the best arrangements for my daughter and keeping this out of the court arena, which I am so grateful for. I am also thankful for the emotional support and understanding from your solicitors, I have felt supported from the first first phone call, up to the last emails confirming the divorce had been agreed by the Sherriff Court. Thank you again, I hope that I won't have the need to do any of this again, but if I did, then I would definitely want the same team supporting me. Thank you!"
"It was a pleasure to talk to you. A very human face that talked common sense and always had the best approach."
"Thanks so much for everything, I really appreciate how you have supported me, you made a difficult situation much more bearable. You have a lovely way about you and it has been nice to know you!"
"My solicitor was Brittany Thomas, she understood my situation and was able to give me the exact help I needed to sort the matter in question. She was very clear in her communications, fast in responses and communications and very pleasant and friendly to deal with. It was a situation I found very stressful and was very anxious about and the whole time Brittany was really lovely and helpful and super to deal with. I would highly recommend Brittany and Harper Macleod."
"We cannot thank Lynsey and Brittany enough! Their understanding of our situation and incredible professionalism gave us the upmost confidence in them. We really appreciated their kindness and compassion, and their brilliant work ethic in ticking every single box to get the job done, in exactly the way we needed. They've gone above and beyond, and made all of our dreams come true! Eternally grateful. Thank you."
"Brittany was fantastic - very personable and kept me updated at every step in the process. Most importantly, the adoption is now through and we couldn't be happier!"
INSIGHTS
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What is surrogacy?
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National Divorce Day
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New Year, new guidance on taking a children's human rights approach published
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Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Scotland?
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New case law conceived in respect of parental orders
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To vary, or not to vary?
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A New Way for Families?
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