Approach:
- aims for constructive negotiations and the use of appropriate dispute resolution wherever workable – and provides expert court advocacy if not;
- wherever there are children, encourages all concerned to put their children’s interests first and gives sensible, wise advice with an eye to the future; and
- seeks to defuse and actively resolve high-conflict disputes, and facilitates the smooth progress of complex matters, whether financial or child-related.
Services offered: legal advice, court paperwork, collaborative law, negotiation, court proceedings, advocacy, arbitration.
What people say:
Directories: Simon is ranked as a Band 1 practitioner in Chambers & Partners (2017), which says, ‘Simon Bethel is sought after for his expertise in children law disputes as well as his ability to handle high-value matrimonial cases. He is an accredited collaborative law practitioner, and peers comment: “We can have very sensible discussions to cut through and find solutions.”‘ He is also recommended as a leading individual in the East Anglian region by the Legal 500 (2016) which refers to him (and Gail) as ‘singled out for being ‘absolutely on top of their subject’.
Client: “Thank you for your skilled advocacy, hard work and attention to detail. You have made this difficult process so much easier to deal with and get through” (name withheld)
External colleague: “Simon combines strong intellect with a desire to get the job done. A pleasure to work with always, it would be hard to find a stronger supporter of his client’s cause” – Charles Hale QC, Barrister at 4 Paper Buildings
Internal colleague: “A flexible, dynamic and focussed practitioner with a strong human touch and a good beard” – Adam Moghadas
Accreditation, achievements, memberships:
Chair of Resolution’s National Children Committee
Children’s law arbitrator and Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration
Resolution member and accredited Collaborative Family Law Practitioner
Resolution accredited specialist in private law children and advanced financial provision
Committee Member of Cambridge Dispute Resolution Group
Member of Bury St Edmunds Collaborative Pod
Assisted by: Lucy-Jayne Stevenson
