The Family Law Team in Bristol

Chris Miller

Contact Chris by email on cmm@barcanwoodward.co.uk or telephone him on 0117 963 5237.

Chris Miller has specialised in Family Law since he qualified as a solicitor in 1990.

He has dealt with cases ranging from divorce, dissolution of civil partnership, separation of unmarried couples, property disputes, and cases involving children.

In 1999 he was appointed to the Law Society Family Law Panel.

In 2004 he was accredited by the Solicitors Family Law Association (now Resolution)as a specialist family lawyer with particular specialism in Advanced Financial Provision and Children Law.

In 2005 he was appointed a member of the Law Society Children Panel authorised to represent children and parents in public law care cases.

In 2007 he trained and qualified in Collaborative Law and is qualified to carry out Collaborative Law cases on behalf of clients.

Chris is interested in exploring creative solutions to family problems and to look beyond traditional methods of dispute resolution if required. His focus is always on the client’s needs and recognises that listening and understanding those needs is an important part of his role.

Chris now specialises in financial cases with a particular emphasis on resolving cases by alternative methods such as Collaborative Law, and representing children in care.

Kim Joseph

Kim is based at our North Bristol office. Contact Kim by email on kdj@barcanwoodward.co.uk or telephone her on 0117 923 2141.

Kim qualified as a solicitor in 1987 and has been with Barcan Woodward for many years. She specialises in representing children and Guardians in child care cases, although also acts for parents and relatives in these cases, and has a number of divorce and financial matters as well.

She is well known for her no nonsense approach, and for her sensible and clear advice, which her clients appreciate, as many of her clients come to her through recommendations.

Kim has 2 boys of her own.

Alison Whiles

Contact Alison by email on ajw@barcanwoodward.co.uk or telephone her on 0117 970 5962.

Alison recently joined the Family Law team at Barcan Woodward and works from the firm's Gloucester Road office.  She is a Resolution Accredited Specialist and on the Law Society Children Panel.

Alison was admitted as a solicitor in 1993 and completed her Collaborative Law training in 2005 and is committed to offering an alternate resolution to problems arising from family breakdown through the collaborative process with emphasis on client led solutions in a non-confrontational context.  Whilst she has experience in all areas of Family Law her particular area of specialism is High Finance & Children Law cases.

Appointments can be made with Alison at any of the 3 Barcan Woodward offices and she provides an initial free consultation to discuss the collaborative route.

Clare Cox

Clare is based at our North Bristol office. Contact Clare by email on cec@barcanwoodward.co.uk or telephone her on 0117 923 2141.

After a career change, Clare qualified as a solicitor in July 2007, having trained at Barcan Woodward.

She specialises in all areas of family law, but is increasingly focused on cases involving children in care. Clare has recently been appointed to the Law Society Children Panel.

Her clients value her energy and determination to achieve the best for them, while at the same time adopting a sensible and realistic approach which has gained her a good reputation with her peers.

Clare is also a member of the BW Trekkers, Barcan Woodward’s team of walkers participating in the Oxfam Trail Trekker Challenge in June 2011.  To follow the teams progress or make a donation please visit their dedicated fund raising page.

Julie Splaine

Julie is based at our South Bristol office. Contact Julie by email on jcs@barcanwoodward.co.uk or telephone her on 0117 963 5237.

Julie has worked as a Legal Executive for many years, specialising in family law since 1998, and following a series of examinations was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in 2006. Julie has also recently become a qualified mediator. She has been with Barcan Woodward since 2002.

Julie specialises in disputes concerning children, including where the local authority are involved, although she also deals regularly with divorce and financial cases.

She is known for her clear and pragmatic advice and her ability to deal calmly with any difficulties her cases may present her.

Julie has 3 children of her own who keep her busy in her spare time.

Tom Powles

Contact Tom by email on tjp@barcanwoodward.co.uk

Or telephone him on 0117 963 5237.

Tom Powles joined the Family Law Team in the North Bristol Office as a solicitor in July 2011 and has many years experience in dealing with all types of family law cases but particularly in acting for parents or relatives of children involved in care proceedings.

Tom studied law at the University of the West of England in Bristol, and qualified as a solicitor in 2003.  Prior to joining the firm, Tom worked within the Family Law team of a smaller Bristol firm for nearly six years, and before that at a firm in Gloucester.  

Tom has recently trained as a family mediator with the ADR Group, and is now a member of the Family Mediators Association.  Tom is furthering his training with Bristol Family Mediators Association in order to become accredited with the Legal Services Commission.  He is also a member of the Law Society’s Family Law Accreditation panel, and an Accredited Specialist member of Resolution.

When not at work Tom enjoys spending time with his wife, young son and their two dogs.

 

Catherine Montague

Catherine is based at our North Bristol office. Contact Catherine by email on csm@barcanwoodward.co.uk or telephone her on 0117 923 2141.

Catherine has been a member of the Institute of Legal Executives since 1997 and has practiced in family law ever since then.

She specialises in divorce, financial matters, property disputes, disputes involving residence and contact with children, and domestic violence injunctions.

She is experienced in giving clear and concise advice in these matters and ensuring her clients are well protected and clear about their rights.

Catherine is an animal lover and has a keen interest in the environment, music, films and literature.

Sophie Warner

Contact Sophie by email on sxw@barcanwoodward.co.uk or telephone her on 0117 923 2141.

Sophie joined the expanding Family Law team at Barcan Woodward in October 2010 as a Child Care paralegal and works from the Horfield office.

After graduating from Bristol University with a degree in Politics, Sophie completed the Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course and received a commendation in both. She now looks after her own case load as well as supporting the rest of the busy Family Law team, has a particular interest in public law and is committed to working in legal aid.

Sophie relaxes by swimming and cycling and enjoys cooking with a particular passion for Italian food.

 

Gabrielle Artess

Contact Gabrielle by email on gza@barcanwoodward.co.uk

Or telephone her on 0117 963 5237

As a paralegal within the Family Law Team, Gabrielle is responsible for managing her own cases, making new client appointments and providing support to the Fee earners. 

Gabrielle studied law at UWE Bristol where she obtained an LL.B (Hons) and then LPC with a commendation and obtaining a distinction in the Family Law Elective.  She is an accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator with ADR Group and joined the firm in July 2011.

Whilst at UWE Gabrielle volunteered for the CLARS pro-bono scheme providing free legal advice and representation to the local community.

Outside of work Gabrielle enjoys cycling, cooking and watching live music.