Family Law Solicitors.

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.

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.

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.