Specialist areas of expertise
Guy provides expert legal advice on the following areas:
- Divorce/Dissolution of Civil Partnerships
- Financial aspects on Divorce – from medium to high asset cases.
- Property disputes for unmarried couples
- Pre-Nuptial Agreements
- Separation Agreements
- Children: Residence and contact
- Advocacy: Representing clients at Court on financial and children matters
- Collaborative Law
Background
Guy joined Hart Reade in 1999. He has always specialised in Family law and is now one of our top divorce solicitors in Eastbourne. Guy is also a collaborative solicitor.
Guy qualified as a Legal Executive in 2005 and a Solicitor in 2008, achieving a Distinction in the Solicitor Final Examinations at the College of Law, Guildford. He became a Partner of the firm in May 2011.
Guy is also a member of Resolution – first for family law.
Strengths
The bulk of Guy’s practice involves advising upon the financial aspects of divorce and property disputes between unmarried couples.
He is regularly instructed to implement settlements which have been reached directly between couples who simply wish to put their agreement on a formal footing.
Guy promotes Alternative Dispute Resolution, therefore he always attempts to resolve matters without Court action wherever possible. He can therefore proffer advice in relation to mediation services and voluntary negotiation.
Guy negotiates on his clients’ behalf to achieve a swift and economic and sustainable agreement in relation to their financial dispute.
Guy pursues Court applications for clients and advises on all family related court proceedings.
Guy regularly deals with children matters (this is sometimes an issue that arises during a separation when he is dealing with financial matters for the Client). Often, these cases can be resolved very quickly if a pragmatic approach is adopted and the best interests of the children are treated as paramount at all times.
Guy is also a collaborative solicitor and is committed to try and resolve matters by agreement.
Approach
The majority of Guy’s clients want their matter to be resolved amicably and sensibly at a modest and proportionate cost.
Therefore, he will always try to find an appropriate swift settlement and to ensure that it is implemented in a clear and structured manner.
Many clients reach agreement direct with their partner and only require his help to obtain a Consent Order on Divorce to resolve the financial aspects, thus achieving a binding settlement and possibly maintenance orders or a clean break. Alternatively, clients who are cohabiting will often need to obtain a formal documented settlement to document their agreement to avoid further claims.
If however agreement has not been reached, he adds real value by becoming involved with the negotiations and taking a pragmatic and constructive approach, to reach a prompt and fair resolution for his clients, without Court involvement. Guy offers creative solutions to often intractable matters in circumstances where Court involvement seems the only option, yet a settlement can often be found with his assistance.
If a consensual resolution is not possible, Guy is able to pursue applications to the Court on behalf of clients for disclosure or for maintenance or financial settlements. However, in the majority of cases, litigation can be avoided.
Guy believes in giving clear and concise advice and adopting the right approach from the very outset by identifying the issues that are important to his clients and giving sensible advice as to how these should be resolved.
Guy is pragmatic but resilient and firmly believes in listening to his client’s objectives and then giving expert advice, practical guidance and clear cost estimates for each decision made by clients. It is important that every case is cost effective.
Guy receives very positive feedback from his clients both in terms of his legal expertise and the accuracy of his advice, his approachability and his ability to get things done. He treats clients with respect and is always contactable for advice.
Other Information
Guy is Co-Head of the Family Law Department and supervises family law matters.
Guy offers a free initial interview to give general advice and guidance in relation to your matter and to estimate the likely costs involved.
Guy is also happy to act on a Consultancy basis, providing advice in the background whilst a client is negotiating with his or her partner.
Guy is listed as a Leading Laywer by Wiselaw
