Welcome to…
The Family Law Department
Stephen Hayes
Stephen Hayes qualified as a Solicitor in 1993 and moved to Fiona Bruce llp in November 1994. He specialises in matrimonial and family law. He is a member of the Law Society's Family Law Panel (a select list of specialist family solicitors recommended and assessed by the national solicitors body).
Stephen has many years experience in dealing with all kinds of family matters, from straightforward divorces and separation agreements to negotiating matrimonial assets of over £2m. He is a respected legal representative in Warrington and beyond and has successfully advocated for clients in County Courts and Magistrates Courts all over the country. He is well-known for combining a determined and incisive approach with sensitivity and compassion.
ClosePhilip Porter
Philip Porter qualified as a solicitor in 1995, for the first 4 years working in the firm he was articled to in Liverpool city centre. Thereafter he worked in Southport, Merseyside for 4 years and then joined Fiona Bruce llp in June 2003.
For the first 4 years post qualification he also specialised in matrimonial, child care and criminal law but since 1999 has concentrated solely in family and childcare.
Philip is a member of the Solicitors Family Law Association, the Children Panel and the Family Law Panel.
Philip has a wealth of experience dealing with all kinds of family law, from low asset divorce to high value, all children issues, injunctions and overseas custody. He seeks to undertake as much advocacy as is possible alongside a busy practice. He works within both the county courts and family proceedings courts throughout the area and beyond.
Philip has also been involved in training other professionals in the field of domestic violence law and children law and his resource material forms part of the training pack within parts of the police force today.
Personally Philip is married with two young children. Both he and his wife are Christians and are very involved in their local church with Philip taking on a specific role within men's ministry. Both are very passionate about the family, one of the reasons why Philip remains very committed to this area of the law.
Philip is a keen sportsman, particularly following football and golf but is generally keen on most sports.
CloseDanielle Turner
Danielle qualified in 2006 and joined Fiona Bruce llp in March 2008.
Danielle works in the family department and specialises in all aspects of children law including contact and residence disputes, parental responsibility and cases where children have been taken in to care. She is a member of Resolution and an Accredited Member of the Law Society Children Panel and can therefore represent children in Court proceedings.
Outside of work she has two small children who keep her busy.
CloseJane Young
Jane initially trained as a barrister and was called to the Bar in 2007.
Jane is an assistant solicitor in the Family team where she specialises in all aspects of relationship breakdown, including divorce and the financial aspects of divorce, private law children matters, domestic violence injunctions and cohabitation issues.
Jane has acted for a wide range of clients, guiding clients through the divorce process and assisting them to resolve their financial disputes both through the court system and outside of the court arena through negotiations. Jane deals with cases involving minimal assets and also high net worth clients.
Jane also helps clients who are in dispute with their former partner regarding arrangements for the care of their children, with issues ranging from disputes over contact and residence, applications for specific issue and prohibited steps orders.
Jane aims to promote a conciliatory approach to family law issues and has a firm and practical, yet sensitive and supportive approach at what is often a very traumatic and emotional time for clients. In children issues, Jane aims to achieve a child-focussed outcome through a practical and sensitive approach to parental conflict.
Jane is a Trustee and sits on the management committee for Women's Aid. Jane is also Member of Resolution, the organisation of family lawyers committed to a non-confrontational approach to family matters.
CloseRichard Avery
Richard Avery is a Solicitor sitting in the Family Department and is a member of Resolution. Richard undertakes work relating to children; including contact, residence and care proceedings. Richard also undertakes family work relating to cohabitation disputes, divorce and domestic violence injunctions.
Richard studied Philosophy at Cambridge University, subsequently converting to Law. He worked pre-qualification in the legal departments of Manchester City Council and Gravesham Borough Council.
CloseWhether married, co habiting or separated, we offer help and advice on all areas of family problems and family breakdown. From big money relationships to no money relationships; from complex child cases involving the local authority to parental disputes over where children live and when they see the other parent; from harassment to severe domestic violence, we aim to offer all our expertise built up over a combined 30 years plus.
As members of Resolution, a law society approved organisation of family law specialists, we strive to deal with all matters amicably whilst also ensuring your full protection under the law. Combine that with our lawyers being accredited specialists with The Law Societies Children Panel and Family Law Panel, we are confident that we can meet all of your needs.
Divorce
All divorces are based upon the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. That irretrievable breakdown is proven one of five ways:
- Adultery
- Unreasonable behaviour
- Desertion and two years having passed
- Two years separation with the consent of both parties to divorce
- Five years separation
On average a divorce will take five to six months if undefended or up to nine months if defended.
On average 2 out of 5 marriages in England ending in divorce now, you need to be sure that your legal team has both the knowledge and capacity to help you through what is often a very difficult time. We have more than 30 years combined experience in this field of law and will be able to advise you as to the most appropriate way to proceed.
As members of the organisation Resolution we always aim to deal with your matter amicably, courteously and expeditiously.
With the firm holding three kite marks for quality standards with Investors in People, Lexcel and Legal Service Commission Quality Mark Contract, you can be assured of the very best help and advice
Children
Whether you are a mother, father, grand parent, other relative or child we can offer advice and help with all aspects of children disputes covering contact (access), residence (custody) , injunctions, overseas custody disputes or parental responsibility.
Sometimes the local authority become involved in disputes over children, perhaps through allegations of mistreatment or abandonment. Often complex and always very emotional it is vital that you get the right help.
As members of the Children Panel, Family Law panel and the organisation of family lawyers known as Resolution, you can be assured of specialist help here.
Our family team have over 30 years experience in this field and have dealt with cases in all types of family court including High Court cases.
With the firm holding three kite marks for excellent quality standards with Investors in People, Lexcel and Legal Service Commission Quality Mark Contract, you can be assured of the very best help and advice
Finances
Most separations or divorces involve financial assets, be it the home, savings or pensions etc. There might be millions of pounds at stake, or just a few hundred.
In looking to address finance issues at marriage or relationship breakdown we believe there are essentially three options open to you.
- You and your partner meet with a mediator to resolve the issues.
- You can agree with your spouse either directly and/or with the help of your lawyer.
- You can invite the courts to decide how your assets should be divided and whether maintenance should be paid.
Our experienced team at Fiona Bruce solicitors can go through each of these options with you in detail and help you find the solution that best meets your needs. With over 30 years experience advising on these issues you will be safe in our hands and we will aim to secure the best outcome possible for you.
With the firm holding three kite marks for quality standards with Investors in People, Lexcel and Legal Service Commission Quality Mark Contract, you can be assured of the very best help and advice.
Cohabitation
Whether married or not, separation can be a very stressful and difficult time. The law in relation to co habitees is not the same as for married couples. We can advise on all aspects of the law and with over 30 years experience within the family team you can be assured of a quality and efficient service.
With the firm holding three kite marks for quality standards with Investors in People, Lexcel and Legal Service Commission Quality Mark, you can be assured of the very best help and advice.
Domestic Violence
We understand the urgency often needed and the package of support you may require. We not only provide legal protection through the court, we also listen, help and often refer on to other organisations to work along side you.
You have the right to live free from fear of violence or intimidation. We know just speaking to a solicitor is daunting. We aim to make that as easy as possible and as holders of three quality standard kite marks in Investors in People, Lexcel and Legal Services Commission Quality Mark Contract we believe our expertise and approach will help ensure the best outcome for you and your family.
Mediation
Mediation can be an effective way for separating couples or parents in dispute over contact or residence to resolve their differences. Family mediation may help you resolve these matters or at least help you narrow the issues of dispute.
Mediation can financially often be the cheapest remedy for you. It can also help your marriage end more amicably meaning you may end the relationship with a better prospect of any agreement working more effectively as you move forward. With mediation you can still benefit from our expert advice as you go through the process. We can also limit the stress you may have by arranging mediation for you with local approved mediators. Feel free to contact us if you want any more information on mediation services.
Legal Aid
There's no getting away from the fact that advice from Solicitors will involve costs to you. There is way of assisting you in those in cases where you are currently on a low income and with few assets — funding from the Legal Services Commission, often known as Legal Aid. We are now the largest Family Department in South Warrington (and one of the largest in Warrington) and we are happy to advise you as to whether you will qualify for legal aid and if so, how it works.