Spear’s Review

A director at Family Law in Partnership, Charlotte Symes wears a number of hats: solicitor, collaborative practitioner and mediator. She tells Spear’s that ‘with this skillset, she can truly tailor her expertise to each client’s needs’. 

The Cambridge graduate provides financial and legal advice relating to a divorce or the dissolution of a relationship between a formerly cohabiting couple. 

Her fluency in French affords her the ability to work and communicate easily and effectively with a diverse array of clients, many of whom are based internationally. ‘I work closely with my clients,’ she says. ‘[I] ensure that they remain in control of their case, while intelligently advising them through solicitor-led negotiation, court litigation, arbitration, collaborative practice or mediation.

‘Emotions run hot, and I think I’ve noticed that all the more, [having been] accredited as a mediator. It’s quite easy, I think, as a solicitor to just get on side with your client. You might only see half the picture. Now I’m seeing the whole.’

Notable cases

• Barclay v Barclay [2023] EWFC 164
• J v J (Return to Non-Hague Convention Country) [2021] EWHC 2412 (Fam)
• AB v FC [2016] EWHC 3285