Collaborative Family Law Solicitors in London
Specialist Collaborative Divorce Lawyers
Our Collaborative Family Lawyers work in London and UK wide to help families achieve the best outcomes possible during the worst times.
Call 020 7485 8811 to speak to a specialist.
“Osbornes have a first-class family law team providing an excellent service for their loyal clients.”
“Lisa Pepper is a highly engaging solicitor, well-loved by her clients. She is commercial, pragmatic, a tough negotiator, and not afraid of judges and going to court.”
“Lisa Pepper is an effective, highly skilled family lawyer but also an absolutely brilliant mediator. She instils confidence in everyone around her.”
A collaborative divorce lawyer helps you resolve matters on your terms, at your pace, with legal advice at every stage. At Osbornes Law, our collaborative family law solicitors in London are led by Lisa Pepper, a Chambers-recognised specialist in collaborative law.
What Is Collaborative Family Law?
Collaborative family law is one of the least understood options available to separating couples — yet it has been formally recognised in England and Wales as an official alternative to court since 2024.
Both parties each instruct their own solicitor trained in collaborative law. All four people, the two clients and their two collaborative family lawyers, sit around the same table in structured four-way meetings to negotiate finances, property, and children’s arrangements. Before each meeting, the solicitors agree an agenda so discussions stay focused and productive.
At the outset, everyone signs a participation agreement. This includes a critical disqualification clause: if the process breaks down, both solicitors must withdraw entirely. Both parties would need to instruct new lawyers from scratch. That shared consequence creates a powerful incentive for everyone to work towards agreement. In practice, it means your collaborative divorce lawyer is fully committed to finding a resolution.
Unlike court, there is no judge setting the timetable. You and your partner decide the pace and agenda. Neutral experts, such as independent financial advisers, family consultants, or child specialists, can be brought in at shared cost when needed. Financial disclosure happens openly across the table. Collaborative law covers financial settlement, pensions, property, children’s arrangements, business interests, prenups, and civil partnership dissolution.
Collaborative Family Law vs Mediation
In family mediation, neither party has a lawyer in the room. In collaborative family law, both do. That single difference changes everything about how negotiations play out.
A mediator is neutral. They facilitate discussion but cannot give legal advice to either party. You receive legal advice separately, before or after sessions. Mediation works well for simpler matters where both parties are broadly aligned.
With collaborative family law solicitors, each person has their own solicitor present at every meeting, giving live legal advice throughout. The solicitors actively help negotiate. This makes collaborative law stronger for complex finances, pensions, business interests, or situations where there is a knowledge imbalance between parties. For example, if one person managed the household finances while the other did not, having a solicitor in the room ensures both sides understand the full picture before agreeing anything.
Both approaches are NCDR and both keep you out of court. But if your situation involves higher stakes or greater complexity, collaborative law gives you legal representation throughout the process. Our collaborative law solicitors in London at Osbornes regularly help clients decide which route suits them, and we are always honest about when mediation alone may be enough for an amicable divorce.
How Our Collaborative Divorce Lawyers Work With You
Most collaborative divorces resolve in two to five meetings over six to twelve months. Here is what each stage looks like.
First, you meet your collaborative divorce solicitor individually. The Osbornes family law team assess your situation, explain the process, and confirm it is suitable for you. Second, both parties and their solicitors sign the participation agreement, including the disqualification clause.
Third, you move into four-way meetings, typically two to five sessions. You discuss matters round the table with a set agenda. Financial disclosure happens openly. Neutral experts are brought in if needed for pensions, valuations, or child welfare.
Fourth, once you agree terms, your solicitor drafts them into a consent order. Fifth, your solicitor submits the consent order to court for approval. This is a formality and you do not attend. The statutory 26-week minimum divorce timeline runs in parallel, so the cooperative divorce process does not add extra waiting time.
The numbers tell the story. A collaborative divorce typically costs between £5,000 and £15,000, compared with £25,000 to £50,000 or more for contested litigation. It takes 6 to 12 months rather than 18 to 24 months or longer through the courts.
As Chambers UK notes: “Lisa Pepper is always looking for a solution and has a very sympathetic approach to clients. She is highly regarded for her collaborative law practice.”
Is Collaborative Law Right for You?
Not every divorce is suited to collaboration, and a good collaborative solicitor will tell you that upfront.
Collaborative law works well when:
- Both parties want to avoid court and reach a fair resolution
- There are children and you want to protect the co-parenting relationship
- Finances are complex (property, pensions, businesses) but both parties will disclose openly
- You want control over the outcome rather than leaving decisions to a judge
- You value privacy, as collaborative meetings are confidential while court proceedings are not
It is not suitable when:
- There has been domestic abuse or coercive control
- One party is hiding assets or refusing to engage honestly
- There is a significant power imbalance that cannot be managed in meetings
- One party is using delay as a tactic
Lisa Pepper is a member of Resolution, the professional body of around 5,700 family law solicitors in England and Wales and the sole organisation training and accrediting collaborative law practitioners. As one client put it: “Without her help, we would have ended up in court at great expense to us both.”
Chambers UK: “One of the most amiable, friendly and talented lawyers in London… fights my corner but understands the importance of resolving issues without unnecessary escalation.”
To speak with one of our solicitors, contact us by:
- Filling in our online enquiry form; or
- Calling us on 020 7485 8811
Frequently Asked Questions About Collaborative Family Law
What is the collaborative family law process?
Both parties each instruct their own collaborative family law solicitors. Everyone signs a participation agreement committing to resolve matters without court. The agreement includes the disqualification clause, meaning both solicitors must withdraw if the process breaks down.
You then attend four-way meetings, where both clients and both solicitors negotiate together to reach a legally binding agreement. GOV.UK recognises collaborative law as Non-Court Dispute Resolution. It covers divorce, finances, children’s arrangements, and civil partnership dissolution.
How long does collaborative divorce take?
Typically 6 to 12 months, including two to five four-way meetings. The statutory minimum divorce period of 26 weeks runs alongside the collaborative process, so both timelines progress together. By comparison, contested litigation usually takes 18 to 24 months or longer. Collaborative law is faster because there are no court delays or waiting for hearing dates. You can also schedule meetings around work and family commitments rather than waiting for court availability.
How much does collaborative divorce cost?
A collaborative divorce lawyer typically charges between £5,000 and £15,000 depending on financial complexity, the number of meetings required, and whether neutral experts are needed. Contested court proceedings usually run from £25,000 to over £50,000. Costs are more predictable because the parties control the pace and agenda. Neutral experts such as financial advisers are shared between both sides, halving the cost compared with each party appointing their own.
What happens if collaborative law breaks down?
Both collaborative law solicitors must withdraw under the disqualification clause in the participation agreement. Both parties then instruct entirely new lawyers, which means additional cost and delay. Breakdown is rare precisely because everyone has a financial incentive to reach agreement. Any information shared during collaborative meetings cannot be used in subsequent court proceedings without the consent of both parties. In practice, the disqualification clause is what makes the process work: it keeps all four people focused on resolution.
Is collaborative family law suitable if there has been domestic abuse?
No. Collaborative family law requires both parties to negotiate freely and openly as equals. Where there has been domestic abuse, coercive control, or a significant power imbalance, the process is not appropriate. Court proceedings with proper safeguards, including non-molestation orders and fact-finding hearings, are the right route in those circumstances. A collaborative family law solicitor will assess suitability carefully at the initial consultation before recommending the process.
★★★★★“From the very start of my divorce Lisa Pepper, Amy and Sophie made me feel at ease. They are mediators not litigators which was brilliant against my ex-wife’s litigator lawyers. They were thorough, calm and collective, and definitely got me a good result. I would highly recommend them. My case was a complex financial situation which they understood very quickly.”
Tom Trim is noted for his work on public law cases concerning serious allegations of child neglect, harm and abuse. He can also advise on adoption proceedings.
Maria Kitsiou represents parents, children and guardians in a range of public law matters including those with allegations of abuse, non-accidental injury and parental alienation.
Maria is an excellent family solicitor. She manages to build a good rapport with her clients while also giving fair and realistic advice.
Maria is extremely diligent and gives very sensible advice.
Known for her personable manner, Maria is an excellent advocate in children cases.
He is highly esteemed for his ability to advise on cases with very complex issues surrounding child welfare.
Jonathan Jonas is a solicitor advocate with a great deal of experience representing children in public law proceedings.
Jonathan is a committed and forthright solicitor who always has his clients' interests at the forefront of his mind.
Jonathan is really sharp and very forensic. He will think of things no one else has.
Jonathan is a walking, talking encyclopedia on children's law. He's just so clever and doesn't forget a thing.
Bridget is frequently called upon by parents and family members to resolve complex issues, as well as advising on adoption cases.
Bridget Thompson is a consultant with the firm and a public law specialist, noted for her extensive children law practice.
Bridget is fantastic for very difficult children cases and fantastic with clients.
She advises clients on a range of work including Children Act and Hague Convention proceedings.
Kesha Pabari is an associate specialising in family and children matters.
Kesha is an excellent family lawyer.
Kesha is a really good child abduction lawyer, and any client would be in really safe hands with her.
Kesha Pabari is set to be a rising star in the field of international child abduction.
Melissa Arnold has a broad family law practice which encompasses high net worth divorce, financial remedy and nuptial agreement matters.
Melissa has a standout ability to see a case from all angles. She is alive to the legal analysis as well as the broader implications of decisions made on behalf of her clients.
Melissa Arnold is very hard-working and more than capable. She gets on brilliantly with clients and is always extremely well prepared.
Melissa Arnold is an intelligent, dedicated, effective, client-focused, high-quality solicitor.
Maeve Lucey is a prominent associate focusing on high net worth divorce and financial remedy work.
Maeve Lucey is a rising star. She has hit the ground running.
Maeve Lucey is good with clients and knows her stuff when it comes to money work.
Lisa Pepper is really sensible and practical, very down to earth and has excellent knowledge of the law.
Lisa Pepper is an effective, highly skilled family lawyer but also an absolutely brilliant mediator. She instils confidence in everyone around her.
Lisa Pepper is a sensitive and pragmatic mediator.
Lisa has a real air of authority about her. She can put people at ease immediately.
Lisa Pepper is a very engaging solicitor; clients love her. She is commercial, pragmatic, a tough negotiator, and not afraid of judges and going to court.
Mark Freedman leads the family team at Osbornes Law. He frequently acts for high net worth clients on a range of matrimonial mandates.
Mark Freedman is very commercially savvy. Because he is so experienced, he is a very calming presence, comes in with creative fresh ideas and gives forthright advice.
Mark Freedman is vastly experienced and highly competent.
Mark is a dynamic force to be reckoned with. He is a formidable opponent but he doesn't hide behind letters. He likes to pick up the phone and he's practical and client-focused.
The team is experienced in handling matters where there are allegations of abuse and non-accidental injury, as well as situations where children's welfare is at risk due to parents' substance misuse or mental health issues.
The family practice at Osbornes Law offers substantial expertise in public law, advising on care proceedings, special guardianship orders and adoption, among other areas.
They are very committed to their clients. They go above and beyond what is expected.
Osbornes has a well-equipped and strong team of expert lawyers working at the top of their game to provide exceptionally high-quality representation to clients.
Osbornes Law has an exceptionally strong children team.
The firm is packed with experience.
Novel points of law are quickly noticed and there is appetite and ability to attack difficult cases.
The team also offers a range of expertise in international private law work, including relocation, adoption, surrogacy and childcare arrangements.
Osbornes Law's family team has a notable focus on Hague Convention proceedings.
Osbornes Law has good expertise and very experienced fee earners in adoption.
A very responsive team with great communication skills who like to work collaboratively on a case.
The team is excellent and can cover a range of issues.
Osbornes Law offers affluent clients representation in high-value, complex family matters.
Osbornes do some really complex work. The team is very solutions-focused, know the law and know when to take a firm line.
Osbornes' solicitors know what their client needs are on each day as it’s an emotional and difficult journey. They are always there, 24/7.
Osbornes has a culture of dedication to clients and hard work.
The firm handles disputes related to child arrangements orders and international relocations, as well as work related to adoption and surrogacy agreements.
Osbornes Law has an established family team offering a range of expertise in private children law work.
The firm is very capable at dealing with complex and difficult cases with strong pragmatism and client handling skills.
It is a team of highly skilled and experienced lawyers which means it has the ability to assist clients in all areas of family law
Osbornes Law has an excellent children law department. It is client focused and driven on achieving the best outcome for its clients and it keeps the focus on the bigger picture.
Osbornes is an impressive team of lawyers and really well led.
Head of team Mark Freedman represents a wide range of individuals, including media figures, entrepreneurs, and CEOs in their financial remedy matters.
Mark is commercially savvy and know how to do a sensible deal when necessary, but is also prepared to fight when the case demands it.
Mark knows exactly how a case will pan out from the outset and gives realistic and robust advice to his clients.
Mark Freedman is a hugely experienced and respected operator.
Lisa brings an ‘A-class act’ when mediating in areas of financial remedy work and cases involving children.
Lisa Pepper is the ’go-to’ for all types of mediation - hybrid, shuttle, full and half days.
Lisa has a knack of focusing on the important issues and steering a path towards resolution.
Lisa Pepper is an excellent mediator, whom I have no hesitation in recommending to clients as she is extremely knowledgeable and supportive.
Lisa Pepper is one of the London stars, managing tough cases with kindness and deep knowledge. She's one of the capital's go-to.
Lisa Pepper is a terrific mediator. She is warm, engaging and has years of skill and experience behind her. A class act.
Lisa Pepper advises on cross-border cases involving clients and assets in Switzerland, France, and Antigua.
Lisa Pepper is unflappable, enormously conscientious and great for cases with a tricky children and financial dimension effortlessly between Gibraltar, Spain and English jurisdictions.
Yael Selig, who leads the French Desk, is dual-qualified in England and Gibraltar and handles international nuptial and cohabitation agreements.
She is one of the most talented family law solicitors, and totally charming in person. Her personal style makes clients feel looked after and is great to work for as a barrister.
Fluent in Spanish, she brings genuine expertise in work involving Spain, Gibraltar and Israel.
Yael Selig is brilliant. She has established herself immediately as a real force in international jurisdiction work.
Kesha Pabari advises on relocation and international contact under Article 21.
Kesha Pabari is recognised for her work in Hague and non-Hague proceedings.
Jon is very technical in his knowledge of the law and is a forceful advocate.
Jon knows everything, and for many years, whenever I’ve been stuck, he’s been the person I call.
Jon Jonas is the human equivalent of a legal encyclopedia on children law.
Maria Kitsiou heads the specialist children offering, representing vulnerable individuals in care proceedings and complex public law cases.
Maria goes above and beyond for her clients and leaves no stone unturned to get the right outcomes for them.
Maria Kitsou is a very knowledgeable lawyer and widely respected and regarded for her children advocacy.
They represent the whole spectrum of society, through to the most high-net-worth clients.
Osbornes are one of the few firms in London that are able to offer a high level of expertise across the family law spectrum, whether children or finances or public or private law.
A highly respected firm with many capable lawyers.
Their mediators are approachable, knowledgeable and are hugely respected by other professionals.
The team at Osbornes uses their detailed knowledge to great effect in mediation, bringing expertise, knowledge and authority regardless of the issues in the case.
The team offers extensive language capabilities and a strong mediation and collaborative focus.
The firm is adept at pre- and post-nuptial agreements and also has a niche confiscation practice.
Osbornes‘ family team handles divorce and financial matters involving trusts, locating assets within companies, and resolving multijurisdictional issues.
Osbornes is an under-the-radar jewel. They have very good lawyers who are tenacious and highly effective.
Osbornes have a first-class family law team providing an excellent service for their loyal clients.
They care about their casework, and they do a full spectrum of family work, handling complex finance matters and also difficult children work.
A really dynamic and knowledgeable firm with high quality individuals from top to bottom.
Great firm with a brilliant reputation.
They are a full-service team dealing with both children and money.
Osbornes are a London based firm but their client list goes far and wide.
Osbornes has the very best solicitors dealing with children law, with experience of the full spectrum of cases involving children.
The team handles a wide range of private and public law work, with an emphasis on international issues, adoption, and surrogacy.
Melissa Arnold is the go-to for matrimonial finance work, and is a trained mediator with ‘a keen eye for detail’.
Melissa Arnold is everything you would want in a solicitor. She is absolutely brilliant, thoughtful, tactical and compassionate. She has a keen eye for detail and a determination to go the extra mile.
Melissa Arnold has a broad family law practice which encompasses high net worth divorce, financial remedy and nuptial agreement matters.
Melissa Arnold is very hard-working and more than capable. She gets on brilliantly with clients and is always extremely well prepared.
Melissa Arnold is an intelligent, dedicated, effective, client-focused, high-quality solicitor.
Melissa has a standout ability to see a case from all angles. She is alive to the legal analysis as well as the broader implications of decisions made on behalf of her clients.
Serena Sandhu is a star. She is an all-rounder, across all areas of law, particularly financial remedy and private law proceedings
Lisa Pepper is a very engaging solicitor; clients love her. She is commercial, pragmatic, a tough negotiator, and not afraid of judges and going to court.
Lisa Pepper is really sensible and practical, very down to earth and has excellent knowledge of the law.
Lisa has a real air of authority about her. She can put people at ease immediately.
Lisa Pepper is an effective, highly skilled family lawyer but also an absolutely brilliant mediator. She instils confidence in everyone around her.
Lisa Pepper is a sensitive and pragmatic mediator.
Mark Freedman is vastly experienced and highly competent.
Mark Freedman is very commercially savvy. Because he is so experienced, he is a very calming presence, comes in with creative fresh ideas and gives forthright advice.
Mark is a dynamic force to be reckoned with. He is a formidable opponent but he doesn't hide behind letters. He likes to pick up the phone and he's practical and client-focused.
Osbornes has a culture of dedication to clients and hard work.
Osbornes do some really complex work. The team is very solutions-focused, know the law and know when to take a firm line.
Osbornes' solicitors know what their client needs on each day as it’s an emotional and difficult journey. They are always there, 24/7.
Maeve Lucey is a rising star. She has hit the ground running.
Maeve Lucey is good with clients and knows her stuff when it comes to money work.
Maria is the most exceptional lawyer and it is always a delight to work with her. She is a real strategist and you cannot fault her.
Maria is an excellent advocate for her clients and is always on top of the details of the case. She ensures the clients' voices are heard.
Maria does a lot of her own advocacy and is the perfect solicitor. She has the client's back, but she is also incredibly collaborative and works in partnership with other lawyers on the case.
Maria takes a child-focused approach to cases. She is good at grasping how a child might feel in a situation and this makes her stand out as excellent in her field.
Jonathan is thorough, intelligent, hard-working and committed. He knows the law very well and is committed to the rights of children.
He is highly intelligent, strategic and an effective litigator who can navigate difficult situations.
Jonathan is very dedicated to representing his client and is a dream to work with. I have a lot of respect for him.
Bridget has a phenomenal reputation, is a very good lawyer and one of the stars in children work.
Bridget is the doyenne of public law children work. She is highly respected and a thought leader in this space.
Bridget is somebody who is all-seeing and will know the strategy inside-out. She is a heavyweight in this space but also extremely nice to work with.
Osbornes offers a high level of client care and manages client expectations realistically.
They have a strong team, are heavyweights in this space and are very well respected in the courts.
Lisa Pepper is a standout mediator - smart, sensitive and able to narrow the issues with ease.
Lisa is good at cutting to the chase and identifying issues. She gets people talking and brings people together.
Lisa is excellent - she's efficient, has a very good rapport with her clients and has an enormously outgoing energy. She is very effective in managing clients' cases.
Mark has a strong no-nonsense approach with a dose of realism and commercial acumen that clients respond to.
Mark leads the team superbly. He is very able, thinks laterally, fights his client's corner and invariably succeeds in getting a good result via negotiation or litigation.
Mark is very good at taking a firm line and sticking to it. He doesn't pick unnecessary fights. He is very commercial, good on money cases and extremely good value in the London market.
Kesha is a rising star in international family law. She has an eye for detail and is excellent in spotting good arguments both factually and legally.
Kesha is a real star, she's junior but really deserves commendation for the commitment she shows to cases.
She is a very skillful lawyer, who is always very on top of everything and able in terms of her client care as well
Simone McGrath is an excellent international children lawyer.
Osbornes handle a significant amount of complex, high-value divorce work.
Osbornes have talented fee-earners at all levels.
Osbornes is a top-end firm, a very well-established name. They have high-value matters, deal with complex matters and have a good team.
I have found the team at Osbornes works very well together to diligently produce a quality end result. Client service has been excellent and I feel like I am in safe hands.
I consider them a go-to for conciliatory work on the children side.
Osbornes is a power house of a family firm. They are robust but realistic and client focused.
Osbornes has lawyers with excellent experience.
Claire has client care skills in spades and she is understanding and empathetic whilst keeping a focus on the right strategy.
Claire Andrews is one of the best of the younger crop of partners in London.
Andrew Watson is a master tactician. He knows his strongest points and is rarely wrong.
Yael Selig is a committed, enthusiastic and energetic lawyer who combines a wise and kind demeanour with great legal savvy.
Lisa Pepper has an excellent mediation practice, acting for a range of individuals and with a great manner with clients.
Lisa Pepper at Osbornes is an excellent lawyer mediator. She is approachable, calm, unflappable and engaging. I would trust her to mediate on any case.
Her non-judgemental approach quickly gains parties' trust, and her impressive legal expertise ensures all aspects are carefully considered.
I frequently recommend Lisa Pepper with no hesitation as she is obviously at the top of her game in terms of the law.
Maria Kitsiou is an outstanding solicitor who emanates calm confidence.
Mark Freedman is incredibly responsive and conscientious with great street-smarts. A fighter who will get the job done.
Lisa Pepper is an experienced, tried, tested and trusted mediator. She gets results and her success rate at achieving a settlement through mediation is unrivalled.
Osbornes is a hugely impressive firm that offers strength and depth to its clients.
Clients attending mediation with Osbornes will be able to find someone who has the right knowledge and experience to unlock the most complex or contentious issues.
Their mediation team is particularly impressive, not least for the knowledge base of their solicitor mediators who are hugely well respected as both solicitors and mediators.
Lisa's substantial insight into financial disputes involving high-net-worth individuals is where her skills lie.
Lisa Pepper is an exceptional mediator. Her mediation skills are outstanding and enable her to resolve even the most complex and confrontational cases.
A wealth of legal knowledge and specialism enhances the skills of Osbornes` mediators.
The mediation team at Osbornes provides excellent mediation services to its clients.
Lisa Pepper is an outstanding mediator with a reputation for resolving even the most complex disputes.
Lisa Pepper is a mediator with the instinct needed to help clients move forward. She has excellent client skills.
Andrew Watson is a cohabitation specialist.
Yael Selig is bilingual in Spanish and English. She is the go-to person for divorce cases involving Gibraltar particularly, or Spain.
Yael Selig regularly supports clients in cross jurisdictional UK–Spanish matters.
Bridget Thompson handles child inclusive mediations.
Lisa Pepper offers remote mediation options alongside standard face-to-face meetings.
Lisa pepper heads the Mediation team and she is often mediating for high-net-worth individuals in both financial and private children matters.
Exceptional mediator’ Lisa Pepper is at the top of her game.
Simone McGrath has an incredible knowledge of international cases. She has been involved in many leading cases and is a go-to lawyer in the field.
The family law team at Osbornes is one of the strongest in London.
Maria Kitsiou heads up the domestic children offering.
Lauren Hall leads the international children team.
Osbornes‘ family team is headed up by Mark Freedman, a mediator and fighter who will get the job done on both complex financial matters and international children cases.
A market leader across public law, international cases, financial and children work.
Claire Andrews is one of the best of the younger crop of partners in London. She has client care skills in spades and is understanding and empathetic whilst keeping a focus on the right strategy.
"Osbornes handle a significant amount of complex, high-value divorce work."
"Osbornes have talented fee earners at all levels."
"Osbornes is a top-end firm, a very well-established name. They have high-value matters, deal with complex matters and have a good team."
"Lisa Pepper is a standout mediator - smart, sensitive and able to narrow the issues with ease."
"Lisa is good at cutting to the chase and identifying issues. She gets people talking and brings people together."
"Lisa is excellent - she's efficient, has a very good rapport with her clients and has an enormously outgoing energy. She is very effective in managing clients' cases."
"Mark has a strong no-nonsense approach with a dose of realism and commercial acumen that clients respond to."
"Mark is very good at taking a firm line and sticking to it. He doesn't pick unnecessary fights. He is very commercial and good on money cases, and extremely good value in the London market."
"Mark leads the team superbly. He is very able, thinks laterally, fights his client's corner, and invariably succeeds in getting a good result via negotiation or litigation."
From the outset, she was absolutely amazing. Her calm, empathetic and confident manner reassured me. She was extremely diligent and gave me very sound advice on what applications I could make and she prevented me from going down rabbit holes which would damage my case. Ultimately I won my case and the result has been life changing for me. This was in no small part down to having Kesha as a solicitor and the care that she took to prepare my case. I could not recommend her highly enough - she is absolutely outstanding.
The team is experienced in handling matters where there are allegations of abuse and non-accidental injury, as well as situations where children's welfare is at risk due to parents' substance misuse or mental health issues.
The lawyers at Osbornes are very well established and have a lot of experience between them, which gives them a lot of confidence and a willingness to think out of the box.
Their client care is really impressive and they have such breadth of experience
Osbornes is vastly experienced and able to think around the issues and consider them in a new and refreshing way
Osbornes is a really good team that gives a first-class service which is both sensible and insightful but also supportive of the client's needs.
Osbornes Law offers affluent clients representation in high-value, complex family matters.
Jonathan really knows his stuff, gives sensible and difficult advice but isn't afraid to argue an interesting legal point or stick his neck out when needed.
Jonathan's calm but self-assured approach permeates the case from the start.
He is brilliant, with limitless energy and bucketfuls of compassion. He keeps his eye on the goal for the client."
Jonathan will always find the space to discuss another strategy and is always willing to try new ones.
Jonathan will put so much work and thought into the young person he's acting for and is always available
Jonathan is highly esteemed for his ability to advise on cases with very complex issues surrounding child welfare.
Bridget has her clients' interests at the core of the work she does
Bridget can manage complex issues so that people don't get sidetracked - she'll separate the legal from the emotional and help people identify the issues that can actually be litigated in court.
the depth and breadth of her experience means she is never surprised by anything.
The great thing about Bridget is that on top of her being diligent, intelligent and realistic
Bridget is frequently called upon by parents and family members to resolve complex issues, as well as advising on adoption cases.
Lisa is a robust and caring mediator. She strives to help the parties reach an outcome that they are both happy with.
Lisa is hard-working, knowledgeable, efficient and bang up to date with the law.
Lisa is realistic in her advice, which clients need in the moment of uncertainty. Clients trust her and her advice.
Lisa is an exceptional mediator and lawyer. She has impressive insight and is down to earth, giving pragmatic and clear advice.
David is a seasoned litigator and arbitrator whose caseload covers FDR hearings and child arrangement issues.
David Leadercramer maintains a strong reputation as a highly effective mediator.
Mark can grasp complex cases quickly and is always looking for resolution. He has a sharp mind and intellect.
Mark is very experienced and delivers first-class advice to his clients.
Freedman is a very robust and formidable divorce lawyer
In a long standing issue with my ex and our child, Lisa and her team have always given me advice that has been first class. Lisa has a deep knowledge of how the courts work and which arguments will work and which will not and will advice exactly what to do and when.
My solicitor Jon Jonas came across as a genuine, very skilled solicitor who demonstrated great insights and experience in complex child arrangement cases. He has been able to create and implement an effective strategy to deal with extremely toxic matters.
Bridget Thompson and Mark Freedman are big hitters with a huge amount of experience, realism, and exceptional client management skills.
Maria Kitsiou is an excellent solicitor; she is extremely bright, but also kind and diligent to clients with vulnerabilities
Diana Bastow has a broad range of experience in financial disputes.
I would want Andy to be fighting my corner in any contested case.
Andrew Watson is astonishing. He does not give up and has an uncanny ability to be correct in his advice. Clients love the fact that he advises at the outset.
Joanne Wescott frequently handles complex and high-profile cases
I have recommended Joanne personally to friends and loved ones. A formidable intellect, fantastic judgement, and a genuine care for her clients.
Joanne Wescott is a class act who is loved by clients, and respected by opponents and colleagues alike. Just who you want on your side if you need a family lawyer.
Mark Freedman is a big hitter with a huge amount of experience, realism, and exceptional client management skills.
Mark is the perfect cocktail of wit, experience and intelligence.
Mark Freedman is something of a visionary when it comes to his experiences with high-net-worth divorces; a strategist who considers case theory from the beginning and maps the path to settlement.
Lisa Pepper – one of the best mediators around, whose very reasonable rates don’t reflect her excellent client base
Lisa Pepper is a great go-to solicitor for anyone wanting quick and appropriate advice
Lisa Pepper at Osbornes is hugely approachable. She is calm, clients always praise her. Underneath her calm and approachable exterior is an excellent legal brain
I am confident that Lisa will do her utmost to try and settle matters so that both parties walk away feeling satisfied that they have managed to reach a fair outcome with the assistance of a professional mediator.
Lisa Pepper is robust, competent and knowledgeable and is always keen to try and help parties settle without intervention of the court.
Lisa Pepper is an outstanding mediator. She gets results in very difficult cases. She works extremely hard to get a good outcome for clients who mediate with her
Lisa Pepper- she has a great combination of skills. She is empathetic, approachable and calm, and has good legal judgment. She inspires confidence and trust
They are uniquely placed to cater for every avenue of family legal difficulty, whether financial or children.
Osbornes has one of the strongest family law teams in the business with a very wide range of experience and seniority
Osbornes has incredible strength in depth across every area of family law, from public law children and child abduction proceedings, through to adoption and surrogacy, and private client work.
Areas of expertise for the group span from unravelling complicated trusts and handling pre-acquired wealth, to Children Act proceedings and advising on the financial provision for children
Lisa Pepper, Bridget Thompson, Lauren Hall, Andrew Watson, David Leadercramer and Mark Freedman are Resolution trained lawyer mediators that can be found at Osbornes.
Equally good at children and finance, and litigation and mediation the stand out mediator is Lisa Pepper.
Just outside Central London a cracking and cost effective Family team.
Yael’s experience transpires in the results of her work and I am very grateful to have her represent me.
At each juncture Yael has provided me with clear information and advice, and each time she has obtained results that have prioritised the well being of myself and my son.
Any litigation in family matters weighs heavily on everyone involved and with emotions running high, I was terrified at the prospect of what lay ahead of me when I decided I wanted a divorce. From the very first telephone call, Yael proved to be an excellent listener, extremely professional, empathetic and always forward thinking.
Not only was she always fast to respond, but she provided me with great advice and explained everything in lay terms. Yael made the process feel stress free and would 100% recommend working with her.
Yael was very helpful in guiding me through the process and at every step was extremely patient and answered all my questions with ease.
Yael is a pleasure to work with and I have no qualms in recommending her. She is a small but mighty force to be reckoned with and you definitely want her on your side.
I hired Yael in 2020 to help me through my very difficult divorce. She guided me through every stage with her vast knowledge of divorce law and she made everything a bit easier.
Lisa is hard-working, knowledgeable, efficient and bang up to date with the law. Lisa is a robust and caring mediator. She strives to help the parties reach an outcome that they are both happy with.
Lisa is an exceptional mediator and lawyer. She has impressive insight and is down to earth, giving pragmatic and clear advice. She is realistic in her advice, which clients need in the moment of uncertainty. Clients trust her and her advice.
Mark is very experienced and delivers first-class advice to his clients. He can grasp complex cases quickly and is always looking for resolution. He has a sharp mind and intellect.
"Jon guided and supported us through an incredibly difficult time in our lives. He is dedicated, kind and excellent at his job. In a time of confusion and stress, Jon was calm, dedicated and supportive. I would highly recommend him."
"My matters were dealt with by Mr Jonathan Jonas with sincerity and extreme sensitivity throughout my entire procedure. I felt that the attention Mr Jonas gave to my case was exceptional and am so relieved that he was available for me and my daughter."
"We sought legal support in relation to an initial child protection situation and while other solicitors we had reached out to either provided a run down of legal material otherwise available online or commented that solicitor involvement would only be necessary if matters were escalated by the local authority, Jon went well beyond that and provided what we really needed and with reasonable costs, listening carefully to the situation and providing guidance on how best to approach the matter based on his significant experience. This was immensely helpful in a situation that was very stressful for us."
"I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Jon and team for the work they did in my relocation/child arrangements case. Jon’s approach is professional and diligent, but with a very human essence. He genuinely wants the best outcome for his client and the child(ren) involved. I’m truly grateful for the support he has given me throughout my litigation journey and the outcomes achieved for our case."
"Jonathan was great. He lead me through a very difficult process and I felt I was in safe and sympathetic yet pragmatic hands throughout. I felt he took all my concerns on board, listened without judgment gave clear advice and direction, was hugely reassuring and delivered a meticulously responsive service whilst minimising costs to a sensible level which is sadly all too often not the case in emotive Children Act matters. I would recommend him (and have done) without hesitation."
"Osbornes have been a sound firm forever. They have phenomenal work."
"They provide excellent advice and service to clients."
"Osbornes Law have a very broad family practice which does all areas of family law at a high level. They have an excellent practice; they are top quality across the board."
Bridget Thompson is a public law specialist noted for her extensive children public law practice.
David Leadercramer maintains a strong reputation as a highly effective mediator. He is also a seasoned litigator and arbitrator whose caseload covers FDR hearings and child arrangement issues. He has additional experience in nuptial agreements and fertility-related disputes.
"He has come across a lot of issues through his career and is good at guiding clients in a wide of range of areas."
"David has a gravitas and a level of experience that garners respect."
Lisa Pepper is particularly recognised for her role as a mediator in complex cross-border disputes. Her practice also includes handling prenuptial agreements and issues arising from divorces. She is additionally skilled in Schedule 1 and other child arrangement matters.
"She's an extremely supportive and kind lawyer. She has an increasing mediation profile too. I can't think of anyone who would handle a mediation better than Lisa."
"Lisa is extremely hard-working and adored by her clients. She is a very empathetic and approachable lawyer."
"I have a huge amount of respect for the way she approaches legal issues; she is really knowledgeable, approachable and always works hard to help a client find an amicable solution."
"She has a real drive to push things forward to a solution, which means she can handle the more difficult cases."
Mark Freedman frequently takes on high-value financial and children proceedings that involve complex tax, trust and accounting issues.
She shows strength in matters involving adoption. She is frequently called upon by parents and family members to resolve complex issues.
"Bridget brings a wealth of experience to her work so she will cover all aspects of a case comprehensively and sensibly."
"She will always fight her corner and put her client's position strongly, whether she's representing a child or a guardian."
"Bridget is clear and concise in court and in her written work."
"She is always very approachable, straightforward and pragmatic in her approach."
"Osbornes offers a unique service of high quality advice and representation across a wide range of areas of law."
"The team are all eminently approachable and down to earth, committed, hardworking and who support their clients in a very effective, pragmatic way."
"Osbornes offers an excellent family law service spanning the wide range of disputes that may arise, in relation both to children and finances."
"They are a cost-effective alternative to Central London firms."
"The team has a good range of personalities and approaches, meaning that they should be able to find the right lawyer for any particular client/couple."
"They are experienced and competent and have a long tradition and a good reputation. I only deal with them as a mediators."
"Osbornes ‘has a strong ethos for being conciliatory (rather than aggressive) with fair/ethical billing practices and strong ADR principles."
"Mark was, quite frankly, incredible. He combined technical excellence with stellar negotiation skills."
"Mark is very client-centric and really rolls up his sleeves; his heart is so in it for the client and he always knows what he is doing."
"He is very hard-working, diligent and thoughtful in his approach. He is on top of the detail and makes strategic decisions."
"He's a really tough litigator that you certainly want on your side. He will defend his clients to the hilt. He commits himself to getting the best results."
"Mark Freedman is an immensely capable lawyer with vast experience and a well-deserved reputation for getting the very best for his clients."
"Andrew Watson is relaxed and approachable with a really smart brain."
"Bridget Thompson brings a wealth of experience to her work so that I know that she will have covered all aspects of a case comprehensively and sensibly; again, I find it easy to work in a collective spirit with her."
"Jo Wescott represents the best of family law. Sensitive and caring with clients, tough yet effective in dealing with opponents, and showing fantastic judgment at all times."
"Mark Freedman is a very good family lawyer who has a broad practice specialising in both children and financial cases. He gives excellent advice and knows how to achieve good results for his clients."
"Lisa Pepper is good at making herself available to clients and has a real focus on finding pragmatic solutions."
"Lisa Pepper is a complete all rounder. Her mediation skills are second to none. She is kind and compassionate and knows the law inside out!."
"Lisa Pepper is ‘compassionate, supportive and committed to hear clients, with a very warm manner."
"Lisa Pepper is fantastic. She goes the extra mile for her clients and is a superb mediator."
"Osbornes has a hugely experienced mediation team with Andrew Watson, Bridget Thompson and Lisa Pepper who are able to offer financial and children mediation for a range of cases including those that are highly complex involving challenging clients."
"A family team that is able to offer the highest level of expertise across the family law spectrum from high-net-worth finances through to care proceedings and children matters."
"Osbornes has a superb reputation for its work in all areas of family law from pre and post nuptial agreements to unravelling complicated trusts and advising on other complex cross-border issues."
"Their family department is very strong, from adoption to child abduction and matrimonial finance, this is a very strong team."
They have the experience, lawyers and mediators to be able to advise on a wide range of family matters at the highest level.
"Jess Moore is one to watch. She is junior but has an understanding of law, and client skills which suggest much more experience."
"Andrew Watson is respected and tenacious in matrimonial finance. You would want him on your team."
"Bridget Thompson is a firebrand. She has her clients’ back. She is dogged and fierce."
"Considered a rising star in the past, Joanne Wescott, has fulfilled her potential. Absolutely fantastic and somebody you definitely want on your side."
"Mark Freedman has a great reputation in financial remedies and private law. His instincts are great and he knows his clients and that really delivers benefits for them."
"Lisa Pepper is fantastic with people and generates calm in her meetings to help clients give of their best."
"David Leadercrammer is such an experienced wonderful lawyer who you would want on the other side of your case. He’s sensible, pragmatic and hugely experienced in money and children cases."
Osbornes have been a sound firm forever. They have phenomenal work and an excellent skill set.
Osbornes have high-end partners doing high-end work. They are very impressive.
They have an excellent practice; they are top quality across the board.
Osbornes have a very broad family practice which does all areas of family law at a high level.
He is very hard-working, diligent and thoughtful in his approach. He is on top of the detail and makes strategic decisions.
He commits himself to getting the best results.
He’s a really tough litigator that you certainly want on your side. He will defend his clients to the hilt.
Mark is an immensely capable lawyer, with vast experience and a well-deserved reputation for getting the very best for his clients.
I can’t think of anyone who would handle a mediation better than Lisa.
Lisa Pepper is extremely hard-working and adored by her clients. She is a very empathetic and approachable lawyer.
She’s an extremely supportive and kind lawyer and has an increasing mediation profile too
I would highly recommend Osbornes Law Firm and Lauren Gaines. Her advice and support in dealing with a difficult and emotional legal matter made the process just that bit easier. She is understanding, sensitive, professional, responsive and provided great guidance throughout the process. I'd give her more stars if I could. Excellent Firm.
"Mark frequently takes on high-value financial and children proceedings that involve complex tax, trust and accounting issues. He is also experienced in FDR proceedings and international relocation cases."
"She has a good way of talking to clients in an empathetic way and is also a highly recommended mediator."
"One of the most amiable, friendly and talented lawyers in London... she has impressed me as someone who fights my corner but also understands the importance of resolving issues without unnecessary escalation. She is calm and reassuring."
"He is a fount of all knowledge."
"He is hard-working and very good with clients."
"She is outstanding in her field because of the breadth and depth of her experience and her expertise, as well as her very good client skills."
"She is unflappable and understands the twists and turns of public law proceedings."
"She is a strong advocate who represents her clients' interests well."
"She is the queen of inter-country adoption. She is experienced in the field over a long period of time. She has wonderful client skills and is committed to getting proper outcomes."
"She is an adoption superstar. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of immigration law, and knows what's on the horizon due to her involvement in policy."
Osbornes has some very well known partners, and senior lawyers. It also has real strength in depth, with a solid team of lawyers at all levels.
Osbornes is firmly established as one of the top tier family departments in London. It has a range of clients and cases, many of which are notable because of their complexity. The team increasingly attracts clients who are very wealthy, or in the public eye.
Bridget Thompson, is an exceptional lawyer: super bright; realistic; funny; friendly, and she is able to navigate the most complex cases. Human rights, ethics, and fairness are always at the front of her thinking. She is a pleasure to work for and one of my favourite women in family law – love her!
Osbornes is a large team with expertise in private and public children. The strength and depth of the team means that every aspect of the complex cases sent to me is well prepared and properly considered. Nothing takes this team by surprise.
Lisa Pepper is the stand out performer of the practice. She is pragmatic and straightforward to deal with – committed to the good outcome for the family
Simone McGrath – Exceptional knowledge of international children matters, particularly 1980 Hague Convention cases. Fights hard for her clients.
Osbornes is a strong family law firm with a number of particularly strong individuals. The lawyers work well as a team and have strong support for their clients.
Good family team with some excellent individuals.
Mark Freedman – always at the top of his game
Osbornes has the breadth of knowledge to tackle the range of family cases. The family team is dynamic and always responsive.
Andrew Watson – a partner who deals with cases calmly and intelligently, and is able to manage difficult clients easily.
Mark Freedman – a very experienced and smooth operator. Hardworking and thinks creatively and intelligently about his cases.
Mark Freedman – outstanding judgement, experience, balanced approach.
Ability to do high end cases and smaller cases.
It is a ‘really dynamic and diverse team which make it really innovative‘.
Osbornes is best known for its work on HNW international divorce and finance work. It is skilled at advising on nuptial agreements and on matters where there are complicated trusts, inherited wealth and cross-border issues.
Lisa Pepper is outstanding and highly approachable and effective. She has a lovely manner that brings out the best in clients.
The Osbornes mediation team is excellent and has some good individuals.
David Leadercramer has experienced it all and uses this experience to help guide clients towards the best outcome.
Osbornes has a strong mediation team led by Lisa Pepper. Lisa is a very experienced mediator who often places clients at ease and allows them to discuss very difficult topics. She is empathetic but knows when to be more directive if the clients require.
David Leadercramer is excellent.
Lisa Pepper is one of our go-to mediators. She provides a practical service, supporting clients to conclusion.
Lisa Pepper’s mediation practice is absolutely brilliant. Real value delivered with expert knowledge. Lisa is a first rate mediator.
Lisa Pepper is one of my go to mediators. Her calm, collected attitude and friendly persona allow clients to trust her and open up to her. Excellent service and top level advice.
Lisa Pepper – very down to earth and approachable.
Lisa Pepper is a talented lawyer and we regularly refer to her for mediation
"He is great with clients, he is tenacious and a trial fighter."
"She is a phenomenal mediator. She is full of insight and is very creative in her solutions."
"She has a substantial amount of empathy which she brings to any mediation and she works extremely hard to gain the trust of people. She fully understands how complex financial disputes work and is well versed in dealing with individuals of high net worth."
"From the first telephone conversation Kesha Pabari - who was dealing with my case - was very helpful and honest and thanks to her I found the whole thing much less stressful than my divorce some years before. About her work - it was simply excellent and I cannot thank her enough for everything that she has done as well as for her support and understanding at all times."
"I would highly recommend Osborne Law to anyone going through a divorce. I worked with David Leadercramer and Kesha Pabari - both of whom I couldn't recommend enough. I worked particularly closely with Kesha who's really empathetic and human approach to working was hugely appreciated in really stressful times."
"Thank you for helping me more than you can ever imagine"
"If I had a solicitor like Kesha, and a statement prepared the way Kesha did it, the result of my divorce in 2012 would be completely different. The experience with Osbornes was so positive."
"Amazing help & support. Great communication from Kesha throughout. Couldn't have asked for a better legal team."
"Many thanks to Kesha Pabari and Mark Freedman for handling the financial settlement of my divorce with great experience, achieving the desired results despite the odds... Kesha in particular i would like to command for how she handled my case with care, explaining me what needed doing when and also insisting on certain procedures when i would have opted for an 'easier/cheaper' way out... Many thanks again to both Kesha and Mark for their expert advise and knowledgeable handling of my case."
"Kesha Pabari was the most kind, considerate and supportive lawyer, equally astute with due process and I would wholeheartedly recommend her."
“Maria immediately understood my situation and put forward my exact views. She was very compassionate and put me at ease. I would readily recommend Maria”
“Maria Kitsiou has excellent interpersonal skills and is very efficient. Her tireless dedication and hard work is appreciated.”
“We have been on a journey and without Maria’s support I couldn’t have made it. Lifelong she will be remembered.”
“I felt proud and privileged to be represented by Mrs Kitsiou as she was one of the select few who helped change my life for the better for my son and also myself.”
“I cannot put into words how grateful I am for the help and support you have given me through my case. You are a credit to your company and I would recommend anyone looking for legal advice to go to you.”
“I wish to let you know how brilliant Maria was. Her work on the case was truly exceptional. Her evidence gathering and presentation of the wide canvas material was the best I have seen in an alleged NAI case. Furthermore, her remarkable support of the client kept him going. I do not know how he would have coped without her calm control of every situation he was presented with”.
“An excellent lawyer, Diana had provided me with sound pragmatic legal advice on a range of family law matters which she has delivered promptly, efficiently, to a very high standard with enthusiasm and conviction. I would recommend her to anyone seeking advice in connection with matrimonial and related legal matters”
“Ms Bastow was a very informative lawyer. She was instrumental in managing a quite difficult divorce proceeding. Her honesty and integrity were paramount during this most difficult process. I cannot recommend Ms Bastow except with the highest honours”
"Osbornes' achievement cannot be underestimated
Bridget has foresight and vision. She was able to predict the outcome from the beginning. Such wisdom is founded on Bridget’s deep understanding of the law. By asking the right questions Bridget achieves insight. Bridget is formidable and an inspirational leader."
"Highly recommended
Bridget and Amy-Jo were very supportive during what were very stressful proceedings. They were collaborative and I felt listened to and part of a team rather than just a client. We ended up being successful at the hearing."“You have done an outstanding job. Thank you so much”
“Many thanks for your patience and clear explanations”
“It has been great to have your calm and measured guidance over my divorce proceedings and I am most grateful to you for all your help”
“It is a pleasure to recommend Lisa Pepper and her team (Lauren Gaines and Sophie Brand) at Osbornes Law for their professionalism and hard work in our case, which was a difficult one and which they brought to a successful outcome."
“Osbornes Law provided me with the most professional service that met my requirements every step of the way. Their Solicitor Lauren Gaines supported me at every stage and provided me with solid, helpful and empathetic advice throughout. I would recommend Osbornes Law to anyone should I be asked and even more, so Lauren Gaines. Thanks Osbornes Law and thank you so much Lauren”
“Mark Freedman represents high net worth clients in complex financial disputes. Sources say that “he’s a determined negotiator who’ll always do the very best for his clients.”
“Mark Freedman is considered a ‘brilliant lawyer’ and a ‘great tactician’ who ‘will absolutely fight tooth and nail for his clients’. He is noted for his expertise in private children work and high-value divorces.”
"Exceptional value for money. Highly competent and reasonably priced. One of the best in the field."
"Mark Freedman is intelligent and personable and has a good selection of high-net work cases".
"Continues to receive a growing number of instructions from high-net-worth individuals, frequently with cross-border components, and advises on a steady flow of complex cohabitation matters, often involving large property portfolios."
Andrew secured me the best financial settlement for my claim. He is a credit to Osbornes Solicitors.
"Diana Bastow was absolutely dogged in getting the best result for me. She has a client-first approach, but wasn’t frightened to give direction when she felt I was going off piste"
"A great team comfortably able to take on big-money, complex cases. Well led, enthusiastic, and with great judgement from top to bottom. Jo Wescott is top notch and widely recognised as a rising star throughout the profession. She brings a winning combination of great judgement, an immense work ethic, and a relaxed and charming way with opponents and clients alike. Someone you want on your side"
"Lisa Pepper was recommended to me as non-nonsense and able to help me with a difficult and confrontational divorce. She more than lived up to that – she was practical, collected and always available with a clear opinion and suggestions of how to move forwards. She also was open and helpful about costs and how to mitigate them"
"It has a strong and experienced team of solicitors who don’t take bad points, work sensibly to get a settlement and who you can always pick up the phone and speak to. They are good lawyers and know the strengths and weaknesses of their clients’ cases. They don’t posture and always pursue their clients cases appropriately. "
"It offers a good range of choices for finance work. Joanne Wescott will go far."
"Mark Freedman is a very capable lawyer, renowned for not being a pushover and pushing his clients’ cases as much as he can, but will always talk sensibly about settlement. He is among the best – tenacious, good judgment and tactically aware."
"Claire Andrews is an associate to watch. Tenacious, diligent, professional and astute. She is very impressive."
"Mark Freedman is a dynamic and highly experienced family lawyer who fights extremely hard for his clients and is always in their corner, thus ensuring their loyalty and confidence. In a trial you would always want him on your side."
"Bridget Thompson combines her excellent legal knowledge with a clear, succinct and robust style of advice and advocacy. Her approach clearly inspires a high degree of client confidence in her"
"David Leadercramer has accumulated so much wisdom and stature throughout the years"
"Lisa Pepper is an outstanding mediator. She is very skilled and has an empathetic and professional approach which is comforting for clients. She never imposes her own view but is even handed and provides helpful guidance to clients so that they can make empowered decisions"
"Lisa Pepper has built up a very impressive mediation practice. She is very engaging and easy to relate to. She embodies mediation in the sense that she approaches her case in a very non-judgmental fashion and can quickly gain the confidence of those with whom she is mediating"
"Lisa Pepper is a brilliant mediator who produces results. She is effective at resolving matters without the need for the parties to engage in expensive and protracted litigation"
"Lisa Pepper is a fantastic mediator. She is fair, robust when she needs to be, and finds a way of facilitating agreements in the hardest of cases. Her guidance is spot on. She has an approachable and constructive mediation style"
"She has impressed me as someone who fights my corner but also understands the importance of resolving issues without unnecessary escalation. She is calm and reassuring."
"Her mediation practice is exceptional; she is also a great solicitor and has a breadth of skill which is really useful."
"He is really experienced and wise. He has a lovely manner about him and clients feel safe with him."
"She is excellent. She's very reliable, talks about her cases passionately and is very committed to her clients."
"I consider the firm to be very experienced in child care cases and to provide a very professional and high standard of work"
"Jo Wescott is top notch and widely recognised as a rising star throughout the profession. She brings a winning combination of great judgement, an immense work ethic, and a relaxed and charming way with opponents and clients alike. Someone you want on your side”
"Osbornes is pre-eminent for family law in North London. Mark Freedman is a real rainmaker. He is an excellent lawyer and has a top-notch practice"
Mark Freedman is intelligent and personable and has a good selection of high-net work cases.
"Exceptional value for money. Highly competent and reasonably priced. Mark Freedman: one of the best in the field."
"Client-focused. Ready to fight the clients’ corner, but also ready where possible to steer client from unnecessary dispute. Mark Freedman – very experienced, with good instinct for the eventual result. Clients love him and he thinks ahead and directs the client to the best result for the client."
Mark Freedman is a serious player. A fearless family law litigator, who protects his clients’ interests passionately.
Breadth of knowledge and willingness to go the extra mile is what makes it stand out. Mark Freedman – devoted to his clients
Lisa Pepper is extremely approachable and this shines through in the outcomes she achieves from mediation. She makes clients feel at ease, which enables them to feel empowered to resolve matters amicably and find a creative outcome which many mediators may have overlooked.
Lisa Pepper is building a very strong mediation practice at very competitive rates and is able to build a rapport quickly with almost anyone.
Lisa Pepper loves her work and has a very sensible head on her. That means her practice is thriving and rightly so.
Lisa Pepper is very thorough in her preparation and has super personal skills to put parties in mediation at ease
Lisa Pepper – good litigator, very friendly and approachable but tough, “straight bat” with the opposition. Can steer a client deftly to settle when he should.
The very recent addition of David Leadercramer to the team should be great – he is known as someone who gets results.
Osbornes is known for combining strong legal expertise with a commitment to resolving family matters amicably. This instils a huge amount of trust in any lawyer referring their clients to this mediation team. The team is particularly good at dealing with financial matters.
Lisa Pepper gave me clear, level-headed and sensible advice during her handling of my divorce, and she demonstrated excellent understanding of the relevant law. She was on my side but fair and pragmatic, and her advice was always given with an eye to what was both equitable and achievable, and in line with the collaborative approach I’d wanted.
Mark Freedman frequently takes on high-value financial and children proceedings that involve complex tax, trust and accounting issues. Sources praise the "tenacity and common sense" he brings to challenging disputes.
"Mark is very experienced, competent, good with clients and takes a sensible approach to cases. He knows exactly what he's doing."
Lisa Pepper is particularly recognised for her role as a mediator in complex cross-border disputes. Her practice also includes handling prenuptial agreements and issues arising from the dissolution of civil partnerships.
Bridget Thompson is a public law specialist noted for her extensive practice in matters involving alternative families and adoption. An interviewee observes: "She's a fighter, she's clever, and she understands all aspects of a case."
"A sensible senior practitioner with a tremendous wealth of experience and excellent judgement."
"Mark Freedman is a real heavyweight litigator who has dealt with some very significant cases."
"Mark Freedman boxes clever, keeps his powder dry and when it comes to the end game he negotiates a really good deal."
"Mark Freedman has a specific focus on high-net-worth divorces and finance cases where there are overseas assets and trusts."
"Lisa Pepper is "caring and considerate of the issues behind a matter, and will speak directly if she feels clients need that advice."
"The very personable and client-focused Lisa Pepper."
"Lisa Pepper somehow manages to get parties to settle on matters where there isn’t much hope to start out with."
"Lisa can handle the large and complicated cases but takes equal care with the smaller cases. She is a highly skilled mediator who is a consummate professional."
"Joanne Wescott is a very approachable and sensible opponent."
"The quick-thinking Bridget Thompson who is intelligent and pragmatic."
"An exceptional outfit. They take on difficult cases, fight hard and win."
"They are an outstanding firm to work with. They are consistently impressive in their work."
"The team frequently deals with cross-border estates for high–net-worth individuals."
"Mark Freedman draws acclaim for his work in high net worth divorce cases, including those involving company structures, family trusts and overseas assets."
"He never gives up. He fights for you to the end and has boundless energy."
"Bridget is client-focused, a pleasure to work with and incredibly supportive to her clients."
"Well-regarded family practice assisting clients with substantial matrimonial disputes and sensitive children proceedings."
"Simone is absolutely on top of the game. She has great attention to detail, and has her clients' needs at heart."
"Recognised for its expertise in both domestic and international adoption, as well as assisted conception."
Excellent and prompt service from Andrew Watson.
Mark Freedman advises high-net-worth clients and knows his stuff.
Highly regarded for his experience as a litigation and mediation expertise, Mark Freedman is tenacious and determined. Clients really feel that he is fighting their corner.
Lisa Pepper is a skilled collaborative lawyer. Her instinct is always to resolve matters without compromising her clients’ interests.
Lisa Pepper is always looking for a solution and has a very sympathetic approach to clients. She is highly regarded for her collaborative law practice.
Bridget Thompson heads the family team, where client care is the top priority.
Simone McGrath is a highly knowledgeable practitioner with a focus on international child abduction matters. She has a large expertise in public and private law.
Naomi Angell is the doyenne of inter-country adoption and the font of all knowledge in this area.
Andrew handled a very complex, 3 year legal battle for me, with a tremendous amount of patience and professionalism. He is very approachable, always kept me up to date, by phone and e-mail, and responded very quickly to my queries with excellent advice, sound strategic thinking and strong letters to put the other side under pressure. With top contacts for barristers, joint experts and mediation.
Mark Freedman represents high net worth clients in complex financial disputes. Sources say that "he's a determined negotiator who'll always do the very best for his clients.
Lisa Pepper deals with separation proceedings and leave to remove cases. Sources describe her as "a great person to work with: constructive, helpful and always infectiously happy.
[The Family Law department] handles significant matrimonial finance cases and complex nuptial agreements. Respected for its expertise in cross-border children law matters.
They have a really good, strong team, with the junior elements punching well above their weight. It doesn't matter who you talk to; they are all switched on."
Simone McGrath handles international child abduction cases and challenging care proceedings relating to non-accidental injuries.
Mark Freedman fights his cases hard and has an excellent relationship with his clients.
Bridget Thompson is 'tenacious, hardworking, pragmatic and sensible'.
Lisa Pepper is a noted collaborative lawyer, and recently acted successfully on a client's leave to remove application to Australia.
Osbornes fields a sizeable team with many standout lawyers.
"Mark Freedman receives a lot of instructions from clients based abroad, often relating to complex divorce proceedings. Sources say: “His main strengths are his enthusiastic passion for the job in hand and his total dedication to his clients.”
Mark Freedman is a tough negotiator.
Mark Freedman fights the whole way.
This team is perhaps best known for its children work, often involving complex international dynamics.
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Refusal of relocation to the UAE in H (...
An analysis of a recent High Court decision on international child relocation. The unauthorised removal of a child to another...
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28.11.2025Hague Convention Case: Children Returned to Ecuador
In the matter of LGL v MC [2025] EWHC 2502 (Fam) The High Court has ordered the father to return his three...
Read more- 28.11.2025
Surrogacy & Social Media: A Cautionary Tale
Surrogacy and social media: a warning for intended parents The family law team at Osbornes Law represents clients in domestic...
Read more - 25.11.2025
The Risks of Anonymous Surrogacy Abroad
The surrogacy lawyers at Osbornes Law represents clients in international and domestic surrogacy law and adoption. There is an increasing...
Read more - 3.11.2025
Judge Revokes Child Return Order Over Children’s...
Children’s objections: Judge revokes return order in rare move In a highly unusual move, the High Court has revoked...
Read more - 3.11.2025
Transnational Marriage Abandonment as Domestic Abuse
Stranded abroad: transnational marriage abandonment recognised as domestic abuse The UK courts have now formally recognised transnational marriage abandonment (TMA)...
Read more - 31.10.2025
Who Are McKenzie Friends in the Family Court?
McKenzie Friends explained: what they can and cannot do in Court We always recommend that you instruct a qualified family...
Read more - 23.10.2025
A Comparative Overview of International Child Relocation Law
International child relocation is one of the most challenging areas of international family law, particularly in cases involving separated parents...
Read more - 16.10.2025
Dubai Relocation Refused: Court Prioritises Child’s Welfare
A recent family court ruling denied a mother’s application to relocate her child to Dubai, despite the move being...
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3.10.2025Hague Convention Abduction and Protective Measures
Hague Convention Child Abduction Case: Protective Measures and Lessons from S v Q [2025] Family lawyer, Serena Sandhu represented the mother...
Read more- 22.9.2025
Internal Child Relocation Approved Despite Father’s Objections
A recent Family Court judgment underscores a vital lesson for separated parents involved in child relocation disputes. How a case...
Read more - 2.9.2025
Risks of Overseas Sperm Donation: Declaration of Non-Parentage
The risks of overseas sperm donation: declaration of non-parentage made against ‘de facto father’ At Osbornes Law, the family team...
Read more - 29.8.2025
UK Court Recognizes Stranding in Complex Child Abduction...
Legal win for mother left stranded in Afghanistan after her children were abducted to the UK The Court of Appeal’...
Read more - 28.8.2025
Relocating with Your Child? Plan Thoughtfully
Planning to relocate with your child? Your case depends on a child‑focused, realistic plan Re Simon [2025] EWFC 249 highlights the...
Read more - 28.8.2025
‘Acquiescence’ Defence to International Child Abduction Succeeds
‘Acquiescence’ defence to cross-border child abduction dispute succeeds At Osbornes Law, our specialist child abduction team supports clients in a...
Read more - 7.8.2025
Return of Abducted Children Ordered Despite Their Objections
Court orders return of children despite their objections The international family law team at Osbornes Law advises and represents parents...
Read more - 28.7.2025
Court Intermediaries: Protecting the Vulnerable
Court-appointed intermediaries for the vulnerable: a test of ‘necessity’ At Osbornes Law, our experienced children and family team represents many...
Read more - 4.7.2025
Standish v Standish: What Counts as Matrimonial Property?
Supreme Court upholds Court of Appeal decision In a landmark ruling handed down on 2 July 2025, the Supreme Court upheld an...
Read more - 11.6.2025
‘Worthless’ Shares Used to Undermine Divorce Claim
‘Worthless’ share transfer found to undermine wife’s financial claim The financial remedies team at Osbornes Law advise and represent...
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