Family Law Solicitors.

Our Family Law, Divorce and Children Specialists are committed to a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law issues.

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The breakdown of a relationship can be incredibly challenging.

You can trust us to be supportive.

There are countless reasons why people find themselves needing advice from a solicitor specialising in family law. We adopt a sensitive and supportive approach with the emphasis on guiding you step by step through the process.

Employment Law

We recognise that families come in lots of different shapes: whether you are married, cohabiting, have children, step-children or choose to stay child-free; there are lots of different and valid ways to create a family. That is why we take an individual approach to each client who comes to us.

The breakdown of a relationship can be one of the most challenging experiences of a person’s life with ramifications not only for the couple but also for their children and their wider families.

There are countless reasons why people find themselves needing advice from a solicitor specialising in family law, but no matter the reason, we adopt a sensitive and supportive approach with the emphasis on guiding you step by step through the process. We will provide specialist legal advice which is realistic, cost effective and avoids legal jargon.

Many of our lawyers are members of Resolution, which means that they are personally committed to a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law issues. In addition Partner Philip Cowell and Solicitor Emma Smith are specialist Collaborative Lawyers, who aim to work with you, your partner and your partner's lawyer, in a series of face to face negotiations, to help you resolve your family disputes in a more collaborative way.

Philip Cowell

Working With Our Service Team

Our dedicated and trusted legal advisers adopt a sensitive and supportive approach, with an emphasis on guiding you step by step through the process. You can rest assured we’ll provide you with realistic and cost effective legal advice, with many of our lawyers being members of Resolution, they are personally committed to a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law issues.

- Philip Cowell

If you have an enquiry in relation to a Family law matter or simply want to speak to a member of our expert team, please get in touch.

Start your online consultation here

Legal 500 2024: The Family Team were recognised as a Top Tier team in the West Midlands.

Under Philip Cowell’s leadership, FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has an excellent reputation for its work on high-value and complex family cases where there are diverse assets such as overseas property, farming partnerships or inherited wealth. It is also experienced in dealing with Children Act cases where there are serious allegations as well as safeguarding issues. Deputy District Judge, Anne Thomson, acts on a range of high level financial remedy cases and all types of matrimonial cases involving intricate business and farming structures. Sarah Millington has particular strength in farming cases while Claire Darley is an experienced mediator. Elizabeth Harris-Clark has recently been promoted to the partnership.

  • "They are very cost competitive while giving a very full service to their clients. They are very business friendly – as in they understand complex business structures and farming – and have very good relationships with expert accountants and pension experts and counsel".
  • "Reliably excellent individuals. They really think about their cases and about how to achieve the best for their clients. The two stand out partners are: Anne Thomson, Philip Cowell".

To find out more about our rankings, please click here.

Legal 500 Top Tier 2024

Chambers UK 2024: The Family Team were ranked in Band 1 in the Family category within the West Midlands.

FBC Manby Bowdler boasts a strong family law team. The group is based in Shrewsbury and provides advice on financial disputes in the context of divorce and family breakdown. Its practitioners provide an impressive breadth of service, regularly advising on relationship dissolution involving complex trusts, pensions, offshore properties, land and farming assets. The team offers alternative dispute resolution through its collaboratively trained practitioners. Its members advise on children-related issues, including contact, residence and maintenance matters, with additional experience in fact-finding hearings related to Children Act cases.

"They really focus on what their clients are seeking to achieve and they're always looking to resolve matters as swiftly as possible."

"Communication from the team was excellent and they broke matters down into layman’s terms."

"Without a doubt, it's a truly excellent firm."

To find out more about our rankings, please click here.

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If you have a legal enquiry and would like to speak to one of our specialist team, please get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Meet Your Lawyers


Anne Thomson

Partner

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Cally Vincent

Trainee Solicitor

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Chloe Turner

Solicitor

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Claire Darley

Partner

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Elizabeth Harris-Clark

Partner

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Emma Smith

Associate

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Hannah Elphick

Costs Lawyer

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Kate Rowley

Associate

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Lia Sutherland

Business Support Apprentice

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Lily Swindley

Apprentice Paralegal

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Lindsey Walker

Paralegal

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Louise Bond

Paralegal

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Millie Grundy

Trainee Solicitor

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Noah Lloyd

Apprentice Solicitor

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Oliver Bennett

Apprentice Paralegal

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Philip Cowell

Partner

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Rajpreet Sangha

Solicitor

Sarah Millington

Partner

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Sophie Machin

Solicitor

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Stacey Norris

Solicitor

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Tina Whittaker

Paralegal

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What Our Clients Say
 

The team at FBC Manby Bowdler were genuinely outstanding throughout and did everything they could to achieve the best possible outcome for me while avoiding unnecessary costs & delays. I was referred to them by a family member who had a great experience and would absolutely recommend them based on my own experience!

Emma Smith

Mr B

 

A very professional service provided by Sarah and the team who worked flat out to meet the commitments required by the case and pick up the case post the removal of the a previous legal firm, FBCMB highlighted the challenges in my case and best outcomes and provided a cost estimate that eventually matched the outcome. The service and costs of, provided to me for my case was excellent and I can thoroughly recommend this company to anyone seeing legal advice. Well done!

Sarah Millington

Mr J

 

Extremely happy with the whole procedure conducted from start to finish by Mr Philip Cowell. Your empathy and professionalism was exemplary at a time in my life when I was at my lowest! Sincere thanks for all your hard work and support. I highly recommend Mr Phil Cowell.

Philip Cowell

Mr H

 

Anne Thomson is a woman of integrity and vast experience. As a U.S. Citizen married to a British citizen, my divorce was complex and difficult. With assets in multiple countries, legal actions in two countries in both civil and criminal courts, and a spouse who was devious and difficult, Anne kept the case moving forward and assisted me both with professional knowledge, clear explanations of the English legal system, and much needed emotional support. Anne worked tirelessly, and she and her staff showed outstanding professionalism and competence. She is a straight-talker who is capable, diligent and meticulous. I am grateful that I found the perfect solicitor, and I highly recommend her for anyone looking for the best legal counsel available.

Anne Thomson

Mrs W