Hay & Kilner's family & divorce law department is recognised as one of the leading teams in Newcastle upon Tyne. Our specialist solicitors are committed to guiding you through the breakdown of a relationship with realistic advice to assist you with property, childcare & financial matters. We provide help with all family and matrimonial issues including:

• Divorce and financial settlements
• Co-habitation and separation agreements
• Injunctions
• Child issues
• Benefits and child support agency claims
• Collaborative law

We have extensive experience in resolving problems related to separation, divorce, cohabitation and civil partnerships. The family department is well respected regionally and is known for its sensitive but determined and practical approach to cases.

Our solicitors are members of Resolution, an association of specialist family lawyers who adopt a firm yet conciliatory approach. Several are also on the Law Society Family Law Panel.

Nicola Matthews is qualified in Collaborative law.

Through collaborative law, couples, their lawyers and other professionals work together in round table meetings to negotiate agreements to resolve financial and other issues arising from relationship breakdowns, without the involvement of the courts. It is suitable for couples who have a genuine desire to find a solution for the whole family, and who are willing to disclose information about their finances in a full and honest manner. Couples benefit from having their own legal advisor but they set the agenda and the pace, because they are not governed by court rules or timetables.

Rob Hart is a member of the Law Society Children Panel and represents parents and children in child care proceedings.

Key Contacts:

Nicola Matthews
Partner
Email
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Jacqui Slater
Partner
Email
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Hay & Kilner's family team is recommended in the following independently researched guides to the legal profession:

The Legal 500 Guide 2009:
"Hay & Kilner is praised for its ‘holistic and well-organised approach‘, and offers advice on private and publicly funded work. Nicola Matthews is recommended for financial and child-related cases, while Rob Hart is described as ‘one of the best practitioners in the North East‘. The ‘well-regarded‘Jacque Slater is noted for her experience on cases involving mental health issues."

Chambers Guide 2009:
"The team here works to a high standard, paying particular attention to detail in order to ensure that clients' needs and wishes are met," say clients. Additional praise is offered for the group's commitment to client care: "The lawyers are approachable and have never made me feel like I am asking too much of them." Nicola Matthews received a wealth of positive feedback for her "calm, friendly and professional manner."

Chambers Guide 2008:
"..the team impresses clients as being 'tough but fair and technically smart'. Private clients range from salaried professionals to individuals able to benefit from an in-house capacity to deal with commercial assets and personal trusts. The group.... also handles publicly funded care proceedings as well as private contact and residence disputes."

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