Family and Child Law Solicitors

Accessible. Established. Creative. Approachable.

Navigate family and child law matters with confidence

Whether you are making plans for the future or navigating a sensitive situation involving children, a partner, or other family members, you need advice you can trust. At Scott Bailey, our specialist family and child law solicitors provide sensitive, practical legal support tailored to your situation.

We take the time to understand what matters most to you, offering clear options, measured advice and expert support at every stage. With decades of experience handling a wide range of family matters, our team are here to help you make confident and informed decisions about your future.

Contact our Family and Child Law Solicitors

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Famild and Child Law Services

Why choose our Family and Child Law Solicitors

Exceptional service, delivered with care

Over the past 35 years, we have built a strong reputation for the quality of our advice, the depth of our expertise, and the care we take in guiding clients through even the most complex and sensitive matters. Whether your circumstances are relatively straightforward or more challenging, you can expect calm, measured advice from highly experienced family and child law solicitors.

Clarity about your future

Whether you are planning for the future or facing an unexpected situation, our specialist family and child law solicitors are here to give you the clarity and confidence to move forward. Our fixed-fee consultations provide anyone in need of support the opportunity to speak with an experienced solicitor, ask questions and understand their options. There is no pressure to commit - just clear, practical advice from a team you can trust. If you need advice and are unsure where to start, contact our team today.

Direct access to your solicitor

When you are dealing with sensitive, often deeply personal issues, you need to feel confident in the advice you are receiving. That is why we believe you should always know exactly who is handling your case. From your very first consultation, you will deal directly with a dedicated family and child law solicitor. They will be by your side throughout - offering calm, clear support every step of the way.

Honest advice to help you prepare for the future

You can trust our team to provide honest, straightforward advice, helping you understand where you stand, what your options are, and what a fair outcome could look like. We are committed to giving our clients the information they need to make informed decisions about their future and achieve the best possible outcome for them and their families.

Options for every situation

Every family and child law matter we handle is unique, which is why we offer a wide range of non-court-based resolution options, including mediation, collaborative law, and Resolution Together – One Couple One Lawyer. We can also advise on arbitration and support you throughout any arbitration process. All of these approaches can reduce conflict, lower costs, and help resolve matters quickly, particularly where both parties are open to finding a constructive way forward.

Amongst our team, we have qualified Law Society accredited mediators, Resolution Together trained solicitors, collaborative law specialists, and Hampshire Family Law Solutions (HFLS) members, allowing us to offer clients real choice.

Alternative dispute resolution for family and child law matters

Whilst not every case is suitable, alternative dispute resolution is often quicker and less expensive than going to court. Where appropriate, we will work with you to resolve matters constructively, whether through mediation, collaborative law, or arbitration. Rest assured, however, if legal proceedings are necessary, our team will act decisively to protect your interests through the court.

Meet Our Family and Child Law Team

Photo of Ann Herd, solicitor.

Ann Herd

Ann is an experienced family lawyer who is also both an accredited mediator and collaborative family lawyer. She is a trained Resolution Together (one couple - one lawyer) practitioner and is always looking for the best dispute resolution to avoid court. She is a member of Hampshire Family Legal Solutions, a group of like-minded professionals Her experience ranges from representing high net worth clients in court to mediating issues relating to future arrangements for children. She deals with all aspects of divorce and civil partnership dissolution together with financial disputes arising from relationship breakdown. She has a particular specialism in dealing with disputes involving children including residence, contact, relocation and holidays.

Ann has dealt with many complex financial disputes whether between separating spouses, civil partners, unmarried couples or same sex partners. Whilst her objective is to find creative ways to resolve any issues which arise in family breakdown whether financial or related to children, Ann will fight tenaciously through the courts if that is the only way to achieve a fair outcome.

Sarah Unsworth

Sarah Unsworth

Sarah is the head of the family team. She has a wealth of experience in dealing with all aspects of divorce and civil partnership. She has a particular specialism dealing with complex financial issues arising from the breakdown of marriage, cohabitation or civil partnership including disputes over property, pensions and maintenance. Sarah has represented a number of high net worth clients. She deals with financial disputes between unmarried couples. She also deals with the preparation of both prenuptial agreements and cohabitation contracts for couples.

Sarah is not only an experienced collaboratively trained lawyer, she is also an accredited mediator and is qualified to undertake hybrid mediation. She has successfully mediated issues relating to finance, future arrangements for children, property and pensions. Sarah is trained in Resolution Together ( one couple - one lawyer) and is a member of Hampshire Family Legal Solutions, a multi disciplinary team. Sarah recognises the benefits of adopting a non confrontational approach to avoid cases ending up in court – especially where there are issues which involve both finance and children.

Sarah French, Solicitor and Mediator at Scott Bailey LLP

Sarah French

Sarah is an experienced family law solicitor, accredited mediator and collaborative lawyer. She specialises in resolving financial and children matters arising from separation, divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership. Sarah is committed to helping her clients reach constructive, tailored solutions, with a strong focus on minimising conflict and prioritising the wellbeing of any children involved. She was also a founding member of Hampshire Family Legal Solutions which supports clients with all the legal, emotional and financial expertise needed.

Sarah believes in guiding clients through the most appropriate resolution process for their situation, whether that be mediation, collaboration or negotiation, to reduce acrimony and avoid the need for court wherever possible. She often works alongside financial and family consultants to support her clients’ legal, emotional and financial needs, offering a holistic and interdisciplinary approach.

Sarah is part of our established Family team, working closely with Sarah Unsworth and Ann Herd. Together, they offer a full range of dispute resolution options to help clients navigate family breakdown with clarity and confidence.

Sarah Unsworth, Family and Child Law Solicitor, in a meeting with two clients

Family and child law solicitors in Hampshire

Based in Lymington and Lyndhurst, our family and child law solicitors have built a strong reputation across Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, and the Isle of Wight for providing clear, compassionate legal advice on even the most sensitive issues. With over 35 years of experience in the region, our team is known not only for their legal expertise but also for the care and personal support they offer every client.

Whether you are based locally or live further afield, we are here to help you move forward with confidence.

Our lawyers solve problems
like yours every day.

We would like to hear from you. Please send us a message by filling out our form or contact us using the details below.

Phone: 01590 676933

Fax: 01590 679663

Email: [email protected]

Scott Bailey LLP, 63 High Street, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 9ZT

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Services for you

Conveyancing

Conveyancing

Divorce and Separation

Divorce and Separation

Family

Family

Wills, Trusts and Probate

Wills, Trusts and Probate

Litigation and Disputes

Litigation and Disputes

Landlord and Tenant

Landlord and Tenant

Notary Public

Notary Public

Employment Law

Employment Law