Family Law
The Family Law Team at Turcan Connell was established in April 2001 when Alasdair Loudon, who has more than thirty years’ experience in the field, dissolved his own firm to join Turcan Connell as a Partner with colleagues Philippa Cunniff and Gillian Crandles, both of whom have also now become Partners. The team has gone from strength to strength and the total number of solicitors working in Family Law at the firm has increased from three to nine, with this area of practice now firmly established as one of Turcan Connell’s identified areas of expertise.
The steady expansion of the team means that we are now widely regarded as the most experienced and professional team of solicitors practising in the field of Family Law in Scotland. Our strength ensures that matters are dealt with quickly and efficiently thus offering significant value for money to our clients.
We offer a comprehensive service to all clients who are experiencing difficulties in their domestic lives. Traditionally the Family Law Team has conducted most cases in the Court of Session where Alasdair, Philippa and Gillian have very considerable experience, backed up by four senior colleagues – Alison Edmondson, Sally Nash, Lindsey Ogilvie and Claire McGlynn. The team is completed by two highly talented solicitors in Nicola Kerr and Jennifer Long. Philippa and Sally are now qualified in English Law and both are now enrolled as solicitors on both sides of the border. Gillian has been heavily involved in the introduction of Collaborative Law to Scotland and she, Philippa, Alison and Sally are all qualified to conduct collaborative cases. In addition, Alison is certified to practise as a Mediator.
The team’s skills in the Court of Session are fully complemented by our Sheriff Court practice and we conduct cases in courts throughout Scotland. This area of practice is spearheaded by Alison Edmondson in conjunction with Lindsey Ogilvie, both of whom have developed considerable advocacy skills. We recognise that there are many situations in which it will be either desirable or unavoidable for clients to litigate in the Sheriff Court rather than the Court of Session and we are well placed to provide this service. We also have considerable experience in dealing with child-related disputes and we are happy to take on such cases in Courts throughout Scotland.
While most of our clients choose to consult with us at our principal office in Edinburgh, in situations where a client is introduced to us by a professional contact outside Edinburgh, we are happy to meet the client at the office of the referring party or at the client’s home. We can also host client meetings in our London office.
Although Turcan Connell does not carry out work under the Legal Aid Scheme, we do have a range of facilities available to ease the burden of the cost of divorce proceedings, including the use of a ‘blended rate’ to cover the time spent by a Partner and assistant and we are happy to discuss such arrangements.
Issues concerning personal relationships call for sensitivity and understanding alongside the technical legal skills required to deal with the complex and changing landscape of Family Law and we work hard to achieve that balance.
We handle all aspects of separation, divorce and the dissolution of civil partnerships. Our emphasis is on achieving swift and effective resolution of all issues relating to relationship breakdown, whether of a financial nature or concerning the care of children.
We have particular expertise in dealing with the international and cross-border aspects of Family Law and substantial experience in preparing Pre-Nuptial and Post-Nuptial agreements. We are able to advise on cohabitation agreements and all matters in relation to the termination of cohabitation. Our team works closely with other experts across the firm in Tax Planning and Compliance, Trust Law, Partnership Law, Land and Property and Financial Planning to provide a comprehensive service for our clients.
Experience has demonstrated that it is of crucial importance to make the right choice of Family Law solicitor from the outset. Turcan Connell’s Family Law Team is the only one in Scotland to have achieved a top band ranking in the 2010 editions of both Chambers and Legal 500 directories. The following comments have been made in those directories in recent years:
“This proactive, gold chip firm has an exceptionally strong family team”
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“Clients are impressed with the superb client care they receive”
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“An excellent client base and a very good team at Turcan Connell helps this practice dominate the Scottish family law scene”
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“Undoubtedly one of the first choices for family work in Scotland”
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“This team’s pre-eminence in Scotland is due to its strength and depth and its exceptionally strong individuals, whose mutually complementary skills provide a complete service to its clients”
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“Sources agree that this team’s numerical advantage and a range of expertise set it apart from its competitors”
