Family and Matrimonial

At Laytons we understand that family and matrimonial matters require more than just keen negotiating skills and technical excellence. We never lose sight of the real issues that are important to you, and work closely with you to achieve swift, practical and - wherever possible – amicable solutions. We have specialist knowledge of business and pension issues related to division of assets following divorce and are members of Resolution, whose code of practice encourages the resolution of disputes in a constructive and non-confrontational manner. 

Legal 500 Quotations

2010 “Laytons family practice is led by Christine Barker, who receives high praise from clients and intermediaries; she has a wealth of experience, exudes confidence, and is brilliant with clients. Emma Gill is described as “a ferociously bright young lawyer”.

2009 “Laytons advises on complex divorce and children issues and is developing a specialist practice in cohabitation disputes. Christine Barker heads the team.”

Chambers Quotations

2010 “The Family team is known for its quality service and attention to detail. “It’s effective, efficient and – in comparison to other city centre firms – offers very competitive rates”. Christine Barker combines a wealth of experience with a steely determination to get the job done in a proactive and commercial manner” Associate Emma Gill is positive, enthusiastic and technically adept”.

2009 "A “straight-talking, friendly bunch,” this team enjoys a solid reputation for managing all aspects of private family work. It has recently expanded due to client demand and now houses four professionals. The team acts for local clients as well as those from further afield - handling matters for clients in such diverse localities as Cyprus, Dubai and the USA - and can draw on the resources of its private client department to offer additional advice on property and tax issues.  Christine Barker is admired for her straight-talking and pragmatic approach to family law: “She calls a spade a spade,” say peers."

2008 “This “understated” firm may be “small but it has a good team and does good work”, according to commentators. The team at Laytons undertakes a wide range of work including divorce, financial provision, cohabitation and children work. Sources declare that Christine Barker is “frank, honest and will do the best for her clients” whether undertaking divorce, matrimonial finances or private law children work.

Sensitive to your needs

Our aim is to resolve your dispute with minimal disruption and pain to all those involved. We appreciate that it is an extremely difficult time for parties experiencing family problems. We always seek to avoid long drawn out disputes – our philosophy is to find a way of protecting your best interests, getting you all you are entitled to and keeping your bill to a minimum.

Areas of Expertise

Types of work we typically conduct for clients include:

• Separation and divorce financial settlements
• All children issues
• Cohabitation advice
• Domestic violence and protection from abuse
• Injunctions
• Prenuptial agreements
• Civil partnerships
• Child abduction
• International aspects of separation and divorce